[2026] Classic songs themed on Kochi: A roundup of local songs and municipal anthems

Typhoon of LoveKatte ni Kankō Kyōkai

Kochi Prefecture Local Song “Love Typhoon” / Unofficial Tourism Association

A local song for Kochi released in 2004 by Miura Jun and Anzai Hajime’s duo, the Katte ni Kanko Kyokai (Self-Appointed Tourism Association).

It’s a playful number produced in their “Ryokaroku” style—improvised recordings done at inns.

From pounding out ‘katsuo no tataki’ to getting swept up in a ‘typhoon of love’ the moment they spot whales at Cape Muroto, the lyrics comically portray the start of an irresistible romance against the backdrop of Kochi’s famous sights, and just listening fills you with excitement! “Whatever happens, happens!” You can feel the protagonist’s mood in this passionate and humorous track.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to set off on a trip, as if you can feel the Tosa breeze on your skin.

Hiroshi’s proud hometown, ze yo!Miyama Hiroshi

Hiroshi’s proud hometown, ze yo!

This is a song by Hiroshi Miyama, a native of Nankoku City in Kochi Prefecture, packed to the brim with love for his hometown.

As a tourism ambassador, his signature spirit of service shines through, making it a deeply satisfying local anthem.

The lyrics roll out one after another—from famous landmarks like Harimaya Bridge and Hirome Market to regional specialties like first-skipjack bonito and gamecock hot pot—turning the piece into a musical journey through Kochi’s charms.

Sung proudly in his warm “vitamin voice,” declaring “shoeiyo (amazing!),” you can feel his deep affection for where he’s from.

The comfortable enka melody combined with the rustic cadence of the Tosa dialect conjures vivid images of Tosa’s grand nature and the heartfelt warmth of its people.

Yosakoi enkaKaneda Tatsue

Yosakoi enka

This is a local song in which Tatsue Kaneda—who took the world by storm with “Kagai no Haha”—sings the spirit of Tosa with passionate intensity.

Released in 2022, “Yosakoi Enka” is truly a song for Kochi, blending the driving energy of a festival with the distinctive pathos of enka.

Listen closely to the lyrics and you can almost picture a single-minded man, gazing out over the Pacific Ocean with pride in his hometown swelling in his chest.

Kaneda’s rich, folk-honed vocals align with the protagonist’s spirit and stir the listener’s soul.

Doesn’t it feel like a masterpiece you’ll want to hear again and again, distilling the heat of the Yosakoi Festival and the grandeur of Kochi’s natural beauty?

Sukumo OndoJōnouchi Sanae

Sukumo Ondo / Sanae Jōnouchi

It is the citizens’ folk song of Sukumo City in the southwestern part of Kochi Prefecture, selected by the Sukumo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The music was composed by Junzo Nomura and the lyrics were written by Yasuo Ikeuchi.

The singer is Sanae Jōnouchi, an enka singer who was formerly a member of Onyanko Club.

It seems to be played at festivals and other events held in the city.

Tosa manKagami Goro

Tosa man

Veteran enka singer Goro Kagami’s “Tosa no Otoko,” released in 2009, is a quintessential local enka piece that vividly conjures up scenes of Kochi.

Phrases like “the moonlit Yosakoi at Katsurahama” and “holding a red camellia blossom” invite you into the beautiful landscapes of southern Tosa.

Above all, what stirs the heart is the rugged spirit of the Tosa man, belted out in the line “Let the spray and rough waves come crashing!” Kagami’s resonant voice and distinctive phrasing brilliantly embody that indomitable soul.

With pride in his homeland, he faces any hardship with guts.

Just by listening, you can feel the grandeur of Tosa’s nature and the passion of its people rushing into your heart—an empowering song brimming with strength.

To this land ~GReeeeN

GReeeeN “To This Land ~”

GReeeeN’s “Kono Chi e ~,” written specifically for the Yosakoi Festival in Kochi, is truly a song “born to make you dance.” With a special connection to Kochi—member HIDE spent his student years there—the track is filled with deep affection for the region.

Its sound layers a nostalgic, folk-like melodic turn with grand, gospel-style choruses, beautifully capturing both the festival’s fervor and a swelling sense of homesickness.

The lyrics about “joining hands” in “this land” convey the warm-hearted bonds that people in Tosa hold dear above all else.

Listening to this song conjures vivid images of Yosakoi under the summer sky, where everyone is smiling.

It’s a masterpiece brimming with hometown pride and pure joy.

KatsurahamaMizumori Kaori

Katsurahama - Kaori Mizumori

This is a song by Kaori Mizumori, who is sometimes called the “Queen of Local Songs,” included on her 2006 single Kumano Kodo.

Katsurahama is a beach in Kochi City with a statue of Ryoma Sakamoto.

The CD reached No.

5 on the Oricon chart.