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