[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!

Playlist

[Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing about Kyoto — songs themed on the ancient capital. The enduring heart of our hometown passed down in song.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Kitayama cedarumematsuri		Winter Scenery of Kyoto and Memories of Youth
2	KyotoYano Akiko		Akiko Yano singing about the Kyoto twilight
3	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 poignant love ballad painted at Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera
4	Togetsu Bridge ~Thinking of You~Kuraki Mai		Mai Kuraki’s classic song “Togetsukyo”: a singing voice that evokes Kyoto
5	And yet you’re going to Kyoto?cherisshu		The pain of parting entrusted to my lover’s trip to Kyoto.
6	In the flow of Kamo (River)kaguya hime		Singing of Kyoto's scenery, memories of first love, and farewell
7	Goodbye to KyotoKanō Masako		A bittersweet love song of Kyoto sung by Masako Kano
8	Kyoto Farewell RainTakigawa Maiko		The poignant feelings of a woman layered over the scenes of Kyoto
9	Rain in KyotoŌishi Madoka		The rain in Kyoto beckons the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak.
10	Ninen-zaka, KyotoNakamura Mitsuko		A masterpiece set in Kyoto that sings of a woman's feelings
11	Hozugawa FutariAoi Kawori		A bittersweet love story that passes through the mountain paths of Kyoto
12	KYOTOJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY's classic, feelings for Kyoto
13	The Kyoto Street-Name Counting Song		The Secret Behind the Song for Remembering Kyoto’s Street Names
14	Maiko with blue eyesKawano Natsumi		Depicting pure young love in a geisha district where cherry blossoms dance
15	Kyoto StoryHarayuko		Keisuke Kuwata’s classic set in Kyoto
16	University student in Kyotokururi		A breakup song by a university student in Kyoto
17	Early summer daysupittsu		A legendary song that portrays the space between early summer light and dreams
18	Kyoto: Spring StrollYoshida Hiroki		Hiroki Yoshida’s Spring Song Touring Kyoto
19	Kinukake-no-michiMizuki Natsumi		A woman’s inner journey in harmony with the scenery of Kyoto
20	sakura drizzleMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s poignant enka of the ancient capital
21	A woman aloneDuke Aces		A famous song set in Kyoto that sings about three temples, including Sanzen-in.
22	KYOTOromankakumei		A Kyoto-born band, heartwarming everyday music
23	A sudden shower in KyotoKoyanagi Rumiko		Rumiko Koyanagi, a songstress representing the Showa era, in full bloom of her charm
24	Crying my way to KyotoOkumura Chiyo		The famous song by Chiyo Okumura, “Crying My Way to Kyoto”
25	Evenly spaced along the Kamo RiverOkazaki Taiiku		My feelings as I gaze at couples along the Kamo River
26	Kyoto NostalgiaNAGISA YŪKO		Yuko Nagisa skyrocketed to fame with her Kyoto-themed song.
27	Girl from KyotoNaoko Ken		Ken Naoko’s refreshing classic song that sings of Kyoto
28	Alone in Kyototenchi mari		A solo journey in Kyoto, a song of the heart seeking love
29	The millennial ancient capitalMiyako Harumi		The Japanese spirit embodied in Harumi Miyako’s songs
30	Kyoto Love SongItsuki Hiroshi		A famous bittersweet love song set in Kyoto
31	From DemachiyanagiNakanoshima yuki		Birth of Keihan Railway’s smash-hit image song
32	And yet you’re going to Kyoto?cherisshu		A classic wedding song, a track by Cherish
33	Sagano, softly rustlingtanpopo		A famous song by a sister duo with a Sagano-inspired image
34	Welcome to Kyoto, y’all! (dosue~ okoshi-yasu Kyoto~)Yabai T-shatsu Yasan		An exhilarating song that depicts feelings for Kyoto and inner conflict
35	Kyoto bastardCRAZY KEN BAND		Crazy Ken songs that capture the Showa-era mood of Kyoto
36	Ah, the ShinsengumiMitsubishi Michiya		Songs and legends celebrating the allure of the Shinsengumi
37	Night in KyotoAida Kenji		Kenji Aida’s classic song celebrating the charms of Kyoto
38	Hiei OroshiKeiko Kobayashi		The Appeal of Satoshi Kishida’s Classic Song “Hiei Oroshi”
39	Kamo RiverBaba Toshihide		A bittersweet love song set along the Kamo River in Kyoto
40	Rainy ArashiyamaNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi debuts, breaking away from the enka style.
41	The Great Buddha of Kyotowarabeuta		The Great Buddha of Hoko-ji in Kyoto was at the mercy of history.
42	Kyoto is crying.Mitsubishi Michiya		Michiya Mihashi's 1974 single
43	Saga-no PilgrimageMizumori Kaori		Kaori Mizumori’s Kyoto-themed local song about heartbreak
44	Song of Kyoto PrefectureKiyoto Tachikawa・Masako Saitō		The Kyoto Prefectural Song was established in 1984.
45	From Kyoto to HakataFuji Keiko		From Kyoto to Hakata, carrying our feelings
46	But, Julie.ROSA LUXEMBURG		A famous song about a man from Kyoto’s Kawaramachi
47	Hard to leave KyotoMori Shinichi		A bittersweet memory of love in Kyoto
48	Marutake EbisuEsaki Toshiko		A traditional song that carries on the legacy of Kyoto's streets
49	Song of Rambling		A traditional dormitory song of Kyoto University, passed down among students