[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)
The millennial ancient capitalMiyako Harumi
Rather than the emotion that comes from vocal techniques like kobushi and vibrato, Harumi Miyako’s singing feels infused with something like Japan’s primordial landscape.
She has countless hit songs to her name—truly one of the quintessential national singers of the late Showa era.
“Sennen no Koto” is no exception; just listening to it makes you think, “Ah, I’m glad to be Japanese.” The lyrics carry a breeze-like feeling: “People are born and then they pass away; before Kyoto, everything is but a fleeting moment”—lines that, for some reason, I find myself wanting to read over and over.
The composition is by actor Tetsuya Watari.
The quietude of the verse and the power of the chorus make it a song that I hope will be sung for generations.
Even those who don’t usually listen to enka—please give it a try!
Kyoto Love SongItsuki Hiroshi
“Kyoto Love Song” was released by Hiroshi Itsuki in January 2000.
The lyrics were written by Koko Takabayashi, and the music was composed by Masami Tao.
Sung in the Kyoto dialect, it weaves the winter scenery of Kyoto and Ohara into the feelings of a woman who longs for a forbidden love.
[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing of Kyoto and songs that feature it as a theme: The enduring heart of our hometown (31–40)
From DemachiyanagiNakanoshima yuki
The Keihan Railway image song “From Demachiyanagi,” released in 2003, reportedly became a big hit with 10,000 copies sold—quite rare for an image song in this industry.
“Bound for Nakanoshima” is a fictional singer themed after the Nakanoshima Line.
The true identity is Rieko Miura.
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.
Sagano, softly rustlingtanpopo
This song was once used as the commercial jingle for a kimono company inspired by Kyoto’s Sagano district, and many people above a certain age have probably heard it at least once.
It was sung and made famous by Tanpopo, a sister folk duo active in the late 1970s.
The lyrics were written by Akira Ito, and the music was composed by Asei Kobayashi.
Welcome to Kyoto, y’all! (dosue~ okoshi-yasu Kyoto~)Yabai T-shatsu Yasan
“Dosue ~Okoshiyasu Kyoto~” by Yabai T-Shirts Yasan—known for their energetic, catchy numbers—is a song that portrays both a longing for Kyoto and the inner conflict of whether one can truly fit into its unique culture.
The lyrics are sprinkled with Kyoto touchstones like yatsuhashi, bubuzuke, and Kiyomizu-dera, expressing their feelings toward the city through the band’s signature comedic lens.
With exhilarating guitars and dual vocals, it’s a track that feels great to listen to and is perfect for when you want to get pumped up!
Kyoto bastardCRAZY KEN BAND
Released by Crazy Ken Band in 2012, this track is a Kyoto-themed song with punchy percussion that evokes the feel of a Western film soundtrack.
The lyrics are filled with keywords that exude a Showa-era mood.