![[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing about Kyoto — songs themed on the ancient capital. The enduring heart of our hometown passed down in song.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/gt5AqNiTj1E/maxresdefault.webp)
[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing about Kyoto — songs themed on the ancient capital. The enduring heart of our hometown passed down in song.
I’m sure many of you have a song that makes you think, “This is the song for Kyoto!” From pieces that sing of the ancient capital’s elegance and the beauty of the four seasons, to tracks by anime artists and rock bands, each captures Kyoto’s charm from a unique perspective.
In this article, we’ve put together songs set in Kyoto and Japanese tracks that depict Kyoto’s scenery.
It’s a special feature for locals and for anyone captivated by the city of Kyoto! Be sure to read through to the end!
[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing of Kyoto and songs that took it as their theme: The enduring heart of our hometown (1–10)
Togetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Mai
When I first heard the song title, I thought, “Wasn’t there an enka singer named Mai Kuraki…?” The title sounds a bit enka-like, doesn’t it? “Togetsukyo ~Kimi Omou~” was used as the ending theme for the TV anime Detective Conan, and it swept the daily and weekly rankings, taking the number one spot on various charts like iTunes, RecoChoku, and Dwango.
The lyrics, which revolve around Togetsukyo, a quintessential sightseeing spot in Kyoto, are filled with the aching sorrow of wanting to meet someone but being unable to.
Kuraki’s urbane-sounding voice also fits perfectly with Kyoto.
I can’t let this end while we’re still in love; I can’t keep it as just a dream forever.Kuraki Mai
A romantic ballad that wistfully sings of delicate, bittersweet love against the beautiful scenery of Kyoto.
Released as Mai Kuraki’s first single of her 20th anniversary year, it was specially written as the theme song for the Detective Conan special episode “Crimson School Trip.” Set at Kiyomizu-dera, it portrays a fragile yet beautiful love story.
The lyrics, which express feelings that remain unchanged even as the seasons pass and a heart wavering between dreams and reality, carry a heartrending poignancy while also conveying a quiet, forward-looking strength.
It’s the perfect song for savoring a long autumn night with gentle calm.
Kitayama cedarumematsuri
This lyrical piece weaves in atmospheric Kyoto place names like Shijō Street, Kiyomizu-dera, and Daikaku-ji, overlaying the winter scenery of the ancient capital with the gentle end of a young romance.
Released as a single in October 1974, its delicate acoustic guitar tones and tender choral work vividly revive the days of youth now gone.
The world it portrays—like the image of walking through the city in a black duffle coat—beautifully captures the young people of that era.
It carries a warmth that quietly nestles close to the listener’s heart.
KYOTOJUDY AND MARY
This is a song released by JUDY AND MARY, a Japanese rock band active from 1992 to 2001, and it’s said to rank in the top five among fans.
The lyrics and composition are by TAKUYA, who is from Kyoto.
Although the only word in the lyrics that evokes Kyoto is the Kamo River, that actually makes it cooler than Kyoto songs that just list place names.
The Kyoto Street-Name Counting Song
For anyone born and raised in Kyoto, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that—even if you can’t sing the whole thing—you’ve sung or at least heard this song once; in fact, claiming not to know it might even surprise people.
Kyoto is famous for its streets forming a grid running north-south and east-west.
This song goes through the initial characters of the street names in order from the north—like “Maru” for Marutamachi-dori and “Ane” for Anekoji-dori—and many people were taught it as children.
Plenty of Kyoto locals find themselves bursting into the song when they’re trying to remember, “Where was that shop again? Which street?” It’s also well known for being used in the feature film Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital.
University student in Kyotokururi
As the title suggests, this song—written by Quruli when they were actually university students in Kyoto—reads like a breakup song told from the perspective of a female college student in Kyoto.
The lyrics are in Kyoto dialect, and it’s interesting how they capture subtle nuances and situations that only locals would fully understand.
The nod to Paris, Kyoto’s sister city, is a nice, refined touch as well.
KyotoYano Akiko
You can picture a woman walking alone through Kyoto at dusk.
This is a bold yet light-footed cover of The Ventures’ classic “Kyoto Bojo” by singer-songwriter Akiko Yano.
It was included as the opening track on her album “Oui Oui,” released in July 1997.
While honoring the wistful sentiment unique to the original kayōkyoku, she adds a sophisticated sonic arrangement, resulting in a blend of nostalgia and freshness.
The lyrics, which evoke scenes like Kawaramachi at twilight, invite listeners on a nostalgic journey.
It’s a track brimming with adult charm, perfect for relaxing nighttime listening.