[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)
Alone in Kyototenchi mari
The song “Kyoto de Hitori” is the B-side of Mari Amachi’s 13th single, “Ai no Album.” Amachi is known for her big hits “Koi Suru Natsu no Hi” and “Hitorijanai no.” The song tells the story of setting off alone to Kyoto after much thought, only to realize she’ll return to you in the end.
It continues the musical direction aimed at moving beyond her idol image.
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 Songs] Masterpieces that sing of Kyoto and songs that feature it as a theme: The enduring heart of our hometown (31–40)
Crying my way to KyotoOkumura Chiyo
Chiyo Okumura is best known for hits like “Koi no Dorei,” which became popular for her sultry singing style.
The Kyoto-themed song she performed, “Naite Kyoto e,” was released in 1973.
The following year, in 1974, she married composer Keisuke Hama.
While she didn’t fully retire, she stepped back from the forefront of the entertainment industry.
This song was also composed by Hama.
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.
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.
Hiei OroshiKeiko Kobayashi
The song Hiei Oroshi was originally released in 1980 by Satoshi Kishida, who had a hit with Kimi no Asa, and it was written and composed by him.
He is also an actor, and apparently he was offered the lead role in the TV drama Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3-B before Tetsuya Takeda was chosen.
The way the lyrics squeeze in extra syllables gives the song a very cool feel, and many artists have covered it.
The Great Buddha of Kyotowarabeuta
Speaking of Great Buddhas, people often think of the ones at Tōdai-ji in Nara or in Kamakura, but it seems Kyoto also used to have a famous Great Buddha.
This song is a children’s tune that sings about the Great Buddha of Hōkō-ji in Kyoto—present-day Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City—which once existed there.
This Great Buddha was said to be plagued by misfortune and, each time it was rebuilt, it was destroyed by various fires.