[Songs of Kagoshima] The heart of our hometown carried on in song | A curated selection of classic tracks that embody Kagoshima

Ishin Dancin’ Kagoshima Citykagoshima shi kankou nabi

Ishin Dancin’ Kagoshima City – Special Movie

This is a tourism promotion piece that expresses the charms of Kagoshima City through music and dance.

The first installment was released in January 2018 and drew attention with a unique video featuring the Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School boys’ rhythmic gymnastics team dressed as Saigo Takamori.

The second installment, released in January 2019, delves deeper into regional attractions such as World Heritage sites and the Kagoshima dialect.

In the third installment, Saigo Takamori returns from space and joins citizens to promote Kagoshima City.

Set to upbeat, cheerful pop music, the work blends comical performances with Kagoshima’s rich scenery and food culture.

It’s a perfect piece for those who want to explore the region’s history and culture.

Kagoshima Hanya-bushimin’yō

Kagoshima Hanya-bushi

This folk song, cherished for its Satsuma-inspired, emotion-rich melodies and uniquely resonant rhythms, reflects the nature, climate, and everyday lives of the people of Kagoshima.

Its lyrics and the timbres of traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen and taiko blend in exquisite harmony.

Originally a work song sung during farm labor and festivals, it is still frequently performed at local festivities and events.

Endowed with the power to invigorate and uplift listeners, the piece offers comfort and warmth—especially to those from Kagoshima living away from home—serving as a heartfelt anchor to their roots.

Bound by fateHajime Chitose

Chitose Hajime “Tied by Fate” (Lyric Video)

A supreme song infused with the soul of Amami Ōshima.

Chitose Hajime, a native of Amami, weaves tenderly with her clear, transparent voice the love for her homeland and the preciousness of the bonds that shape our lives.

Its haunting melody—where distinctive folk inflections blend with modern arrangement—will carry listeners to the beautiful landscapes of Kagoshima.

Released digitally in February 2022, the piece was chosen as the theme song for the PR movie “Life, Laid Bare: Amami Ōshima,” commemorating the island’s inscription as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

A heartwarming gem of a ballad, recommended for anyone wishing to feel the ties that connect us to those we hold dear.

Kagoshima Prefectural AnthemYamada Kōsaku

Kagoshima Prefectural Residents' Song with subtitles and furigana

This is the official prefectural anthem by Kósçak Yamada, singing of the proud spirit of Satsuma with majestic Sakurajima as its backdrop.

Its solemn yet familiar melody beautifully captures Kagoshima’s nature, history, and culture.

Widely cherished at school events and official ceremonies throughout Kagoshima Prefecture, it has become a symbol of regional identity.

The hometown pride conveyed in the lyrics and the powerful melody resonate deeply with Kagoshima natives living away from home, stirring their feelings for their beloved birthplace.

Ishin Dancin’ Kagoshima City Returns ~This Is the Real KAGOSHIMA~kagoshima shi kankou nabi

Ishin Dancin’ Kagoshima City Returns ~This is Real KAGOSHIMA~ | Full Version

Brimming with humor and energy, this work lets viewers enjoy a tour of Kagoshima City’s sightseeing spots and gourmet locales through a dynamic performance, earning particular popularity among younger audiences and families.

It was produced as the third installment of Kagoshima City’s official tourism promotion video series “Ishin dancin’,” released in December 2022.

Featuring the Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School boys’ rhythmic gymnastics team dressed as Takamori Saigo and delivering sharp, striking routines, the video quickly drew widespread media attention and became a hot topic upon release.

It’s a track that lets not only local residents looking to rediscover Kagoshima’s appeal, but also those who have never visited, feel the passionate spirit of Satsuma and its rich culture.

Trace ~Footprints~JA soo Kagoshima no Orijinaru Songu

JA Song “Tracks ~Footprints~” Dance Project 2020

A heartwarming song filled with love for Kagoshima’s land and its people.

Its gentle melody conveys the region’s rich nature, the efforts of those who came before, and hope for the children of the future.

Completed in June 2020, the piece inspired a dance video in April 2021 aimed at energizing workplaces and local communities, featuring staff and officers dancing together—a performance that became a talking point.

It is a song that resonates across generations, serving as a spiritual hometown for those living away from Kagoshima and a source of pride for locals.

A must-listen for anyone who cherishes the future of agriculture and the bonds within the community.

Come on! Party! Kanoya Kanpachi!gavamentowaakaa

"COME ON! PARTY! Kanoya Amberjack!" Official MV

A pop tune that cheerfully introduces Kanoya City, Kagoshima’s specialty: greater amberjack (kanpachi).

With lively vocals and lyrics brimming with hometown pride, it creatively expresses the deliciousness of kanpachi and the passion of the fishermen, brightening your mood.

Released in 2015 as part of a regional revitalization project, the song has been performed at various events, including “Hakata Kanpachi Jack” in the JR Hakata Station front plaza.

It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to experience Kagoshima’s climate and culture, is interested in local specialties, or just needs an energy boost.