Songs of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Enjoy While Thinking of Iwate
With melodies that resonate in the heart, Iwate’s beautiful scenery unfolds before your eyes…
The culture rooted in this land and the lives of its people have become countless beloved songs that are still sung today.
The timeless history of the World Heritage site Hiraizumi, the mystical folklore of Tono, and the warm feelings of the people who live in the region.
The stories woven into each song are like a single painting capturing Iwate’s landscapes through the changing seasons.
In this article, we introduce gems of classic songs brimming with love for Iwate.
Why not let these songs stir your thoughts toward Iwate?
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Iwate: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- Songs of Iwate: The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Enjoy While Thinking of Iwate
- Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture
- [Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
- [Akita Songs] A Collection of Gem-Like Local Tunes Filled with Love for Hometowns
- [Songs of Aomori] A collection of local songs depicting the grandeur of nature and the warmth of its people.
- [Yamagata Songs] Beloved local tunes and classic tracks celebrating majestic nature and hometown pride
- Beautiful Folk Songs Passed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces that Play the Heart of the Hometown
- A Collection of Moving Shakuhachi Masterpieces | Beautiful Japanese Melodies That Stir the Heart
- [2026] Masterpieces Themed on Ibaraki: From Local Songs to Municipal Anthems
- Miyagi Songs: Popular tracks that celebrate famous sights and specialties, and timeless pieces filled with love for home
- [People・Songs・Heart] A Collection of Miyuki Kawanaka’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026]
- [Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies
[Songs of Iwate] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Collection of Classics to Listen to While Thinking of Iwate (41–50)
Poem of Miso SoupHiguchi Yoichi
The original song is by Masao Sen, and he used to sing it wearing his familiar hat, long boots, and coat.
The impersonation master Korokke often mimicked him, too.
At that time, Mr.
Sen was married to Joan Shepherd, a blonde American, so there’s a nuance in the song that hints at his wife.
“A wife from Iwate Prefecture would be nice”—it’s a bit comical, but it’s actually quite a deep song.
Hanamaki UjōFujimoto Haneyuki
When it comes to hot springs in Iwate Prefecture, the first that comes to mind is Hanamaki Onsen.
You can just picture the rising steam and the inns lined up along the hot spring town.
The original song is by Hiroshi Kadokawa, known as a hidden gem of enka.
Kadokawa is widely praised for his vocal ability, and back in the Showa era there were TV shows where not only comedians but also singers impersonated other singers.
The impressions of Masako Mori and Hiroshi Kadokawa were top-notch.
A lone pineSen Masao
Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture was once a scenic spot thick with about 70,000 pine trees, designated as part of the Rikuchu Coast Park and selected as one of the One Hundred Views of Japan.
However, the great tsunami of March 11 destroyed almost all of the pines, and miraculously, a single tree remained standing.
It became a symbol of hope not only for the disaster area but for the entire country.
Although the pine ultimately died because its roots rotted, it has been preserved as a monument.
Composer Toru Funamura, who wished to leave this as a song, personally asked Masao Sen to sing it.
In conclusion
I introduced songs themed around Iwate.
These works capture the charm of Iwate—hometo Kenji Miyazawa and Takuboku Ishikawa—and its rich nature and history, from the Konjikidō at Chūson-ji Temple to the Sanriku Coast.
Please experience the world of Iwate, where the abundant seasons and warm-hearted spirit of its people live on, together with the music.