[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 Made It Their Theme: The Enduring Heart of Our Hometown (21–30)
A woman aloneDuke Aces
It is a song themed around Kyoto, included as one of the tracks in the “Nihon no Uta” series.
It was released in 1965.
The lyrics mention three locations in Kyoto: Sanzen-in, Kōzan-ji, and Daikaku-ji.
On the local station Kyoto Broadcasting, during its Kinki Broadcasting era in the 1980s, an instrumental version was at times used as the background music for the radio civic information program “Kyoto City Dayori.”
A sudden shower in KyotoKoyanagi Rumiko
When it comes to hit songs that represent the Showa era—such as “Watashi no Jōkamachi,” “Seto no Hanayome,” and “Hana no Yō ni Hisoyaka ni”—you can’t overlook Rumiko Koyanagi.
You could even call her the original, quintessential Japanese diva.
Of course, even now in her later years, the refined, lustrous allure of a sophisticated adult woman she exudes is irresistible to many in the older gentleman crowd! “Kyo no Niwaka Ame,” her fifth single, was released in 1972.
Its lyrics—about coming all the way to Kyoto to look for the person she fell in love with—are the very essence of classic Showa-era kayōkyoku.
The lyrics were written by the esteemed Rei Nakanishi.
Kyoto NostalgiaNAGISA YŪKO
Yuko Nagisa, a devoted Japanophile, had a massive breakout by covering The Ventures’ “Kyoto no Koi” in Japanese.
For many people, when it comes to Yuko Nagisa’s songs about Kyoto, “Kyoto no Koi” is the one that comes to mind.
Of course, this song “Kyoto Bojo” (Kyoto Yearning) was also written and composed by The Ventures.
The Ventures’ sound must have been a natural fit with Japanese pop to begin with.
The lyrics, which revisit memorable places in Kyoto along with the pain of heartbreak and look back on those locales through tears, are quintessential Showa-era kayōkyoku.
Yuko Nagisa still appears at dinner shows and events around the country today.
Definitely one to keep an eye on!
KYOTOromankakumei
This song features a lively tone and a striking, soaring horn section.
It’s by Romankakumei, a band from Kyoto, and is included on their debut album NEW ISLAND ROMANCE, released in 2019.
The nicely laid-back sound arrangement is wonderful.
It has a charm that naturally brings a smile to your face as you listen.
The lyrics portray life and everyday moments in Kyoto in down-to-earth language, and they’re crafted in a way that listeners who don’t live in Kyoto can relate to as well.
And yet you’re going to Kyoto?cherisshu
What’s the song you’ve heard most at weddings? It probably depends on the generation, but for me it’s Cherish’s “Ladybug Samba.” That gentle, cozy melody and the little staged routine where everyone eggs on the kiss are so endearing, aren’t they? And Cherish’s “And Yet You’re Going to Kyoto” was actually this husband-and-wife duo’s debut single.
Lyrics like “You chose Kyoto over me, the one who loves you—tell me, why…” are heartbreakingly sad.
The fact that it never once mentions place names like Gion or Arashiyama somehow makes it even sadder.
Evenly spaced along the Kamo RiverOkazaki Taiiku
Kamo River Equidistance, which candidly sings about the feelings of lovers sitting at equal intervals along the Kamo River, is a song by Okazaki Taiiku, known for his comedic tracks.
It vividly portrays the growing gap between the maturing self and the widening world.
From a bridge overlooking the lovers by the Kamo River, the narrator wonders if, in reality, he is the one being looked down on—capturing that anxiety and inner conflict in a real and tangible way.
Beyond his comedic songs, these pieces that carry his bittersweet emotions are also part of Okazaki Taiiku’s appeal.
It’s a wistful number that stays true to a self that tends to see the world at a slight angle, honestly singing a sentimental heart.
Girl from KyotoNaoko Ken
When it comes to songs about Kyoto from the Showa era, many are mellow enka-style numbers, but this one stands out as a pop tune.
This was Naoko Ken’s fourth single, with lyrics by Yū Aku and arrangement by Koichi Morita.
It’s a local-themed song that seems to carry on the momentum of the previous year’s Japanese National Railways campaign, and its lyrics feature numerous famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto.
