[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!
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[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing of Kyoto and songs that took it as their theme: The enduring heart of our hometown (1–10)
Kyoto Farewell RainTakigawa Maiko
This song intertwines the evocative scenery of Kyoto with the poignant feelings of a woman’s heart.
Sung by Maiko Takigawa, a vocalist from Kyoto Prefecture, it paints the wavering emotions of a woman who has decided to part ways with her beloved, set against the timeless landscapes of the old capital—places like Yasaka and the Kamo River.
Even as she carries her loneliness, her brave resolve to face forward without shedding tears is touchingly endearing.
Originally released in September 2018 as the B-side of a single, it was reissued in May 2024 as a special release commemorating the 35th anniversary of her debut, following its favorable reception on stage.
Rain in KyotoŌishi Madoka
Set against famous Kyoto locales like Shimizu-zaka and Gion, this poignant number overlays lingering feelings for a former lover with the imagery of rain.
Released in September 2011 to mark the milestone of the artist’s 20th anniversary, the single is also included as the title track on the album “Madoka Oishi Complete Collection: Kyoto no Ame.” Its sound blends an unhurried vocal delivery with emotionally rich instrumentation, creating an atmosphere steeped in quintessential Kyoto elegance.
Delicately expressing the wavering heart of an adult woman, it’s a song that truly resonates.
Ninen-zaka, KyotoNakamura Mitsuko
Set against the stone-paved streets of Higashiyama, this piece portrays the wavering emotions of a woman walking up the slope.
Released as a single by Mitsuko Nakamura in September 2017, her soulful yet resolute vocals are deeply moving.
The elegant melody draws you in before you know it.
Landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and Kodaiji also appear in the lyrics, so just listening can make you feel as if you’re strolling through Kyoto.
Slip into the role of the story’s protagonist and immerse yourself in its world.
[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing of Kyoto and songs that made it their theme: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
Hozugawa FutariAoi Kawori
This work portrays a heartrending elopement of a man and a woman who escape into a world of just the two of them, passing along the mountain path by the Hozu River from Arashiyama.
Set to a song by Kaori Aoi, it was released as a single in December 2013 as the fourth installment of the Kyoto Series that began in 2011.
The dramatic progression of the song, in which the torrent of passionate love overlaps with the river’s flow, is deeply moving.
I hope you’ll listen to it when you want to immerse yourself in the bittersweetness of a forbidden love.
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.
Maiko with blue eyesKawano Natsumi
A unique piece that blends exotic charm with the atmosphere of an ancient capital, as if a fresh breeze were blowing through a historic geisha district.
Set against a beautiful scene of fluttering cherry blossoms, it portrays the tender feelings of first love harbored by someone still in training.
It sweetly captures the girlish frustration of wanting to give a handmade trinket to the one you love, yet being unable to.
Released in June 2019, this work also drew attention for featuring illustrations in its music video that were drawn by Natsumi Kawano herself, showcasing her talent for painting.
It’s a work I recommend to anyone who wants to remember the thrill of pure love.