[Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
Across Japan, there are many “local songs” created around themes like regional climate and traditions, long-standing customs, hometown pride, and specialty foods.
However, few people are likely familiar with songs from places far from their own living area or hometown.
Some might even have spent years in a region without knowing its local songs at all.
In this article, we’ll introduce some highly impactful, must-hear local songs from across Japan that we hope many of you will get to know.
If it’s a place you’ve visited, try listening while picturing the local scenery.
If it’s somewhere you’ve never been, let the song help you imagine the land and the lives of the people who live there.
- A roundup of regional enka songs: classic hits that feature places from all across Japan in their lyrics.
- [Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
- [2026] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: the heart of a beloved homeland passed down in song
- Introducing famous songs about Shizuoka: Local anthems and popular tracks [2026]
- [Songs of Saitama] A Wealth of Humor-Filled Classics! Local Anthems Packed with Love for Saitama
- Songs related to Mie Prefecture. Beloved local tunes of Mie that continue to be cherished.
- [Hometown Songs] A curated selection of popular Japanese tracks that fill your heart with nostalgia
- [Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing about Kyoto — songs themed on the ancient capital. The enduring heart of our hometown passed down in song.
- A famous song about Fukuoka. The heart of the hometown passed down through song.
- A classic song that celebrates Niigata. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- Songs about Tokyo: A collection of popular J‑Pop classics [2026]
- Masterpieces that sing of love. Recommended popular songs.
- [Songs of Kagoshima] The heart of our hometown carried on in song | A curated selection of classic tracks that embody Kagoshima
[Local Songs] Must-listen tracks from across Japan: iconic hits and hometown-pride favorites (121–130)
Rain in AzuminoShimazu Etsuko
One of Etsuko Shimazu’s signature songs, in which the rain falling in the Shinshu mountains resonates deep in the heart.
Haruo Yoshioka’s lyrics weave together the joy and pain of love, while Tetsuya Gen’s wistful melody beautifully portrays a heartrending romance.
Released by King Records in June 2003, the song has also been included in the albums “Etsuko Shimazu Complete Collection 2013” and “Etsuko Shimazu Best Selection 2014,” and has long remained beloved.
It is a song that gently accompanies those who carry memories of their hometown or past love in their hearts, and those standing at a turning point in life.
Song of Nagano PrefectureAsakura Kurumi
A heartwarming song by Kurumi Asakura that openly sings of her love for her hometown, surrounded by the mountains of Shinshu.
The lyrics, sprinkled with scenes of Nagano’s beautiful landscapes and local anecdotes, convey a deep nostalgia for the days spent in her hometown.
Carefully crafted over the course of about a year, this work is a piece overflowing with love for Nagano.
Its bright, approachable melody will resonate deeply not only with those from Nagano Prefecture, but also with anyone living away from their hometown.
Lake Nojiri AloneMizumori Kaori
This is a gem of a regional enka song, richly performed by Kaori Mizumori, capturing the feelings of a woman trying to heal a broken heart on the quiet shores of a Shinshu lake.
Against the beautiful scenery of Lake Nojiri, it vividly portrays her poignant resolve to sever ties with the past.
Released in April 2005 as the B-side to the single “Gonō Line,” it was also included on her 10th anniversary album the same year.
Highly recommended for those facing the end of a romance or seeking a fresh start at a turning point in life.
Hakuba Mountain Foothillskaryūdō
This song, which sings of a longing for snowy northern landscapes and majestic mountains, is a classic distinguished by the beautiful harmonies of Kariudo.
Its lyrics delicately portray the feelings of someone who has left their hometown, resonating deeply and conjuring vivid images of mountain ranges cloaked in white snow.
Released in July 1980, the piece is arranged with a folk foundation while incorporating pop elements, and the warm tones of the acoustic guitar lend the entire track a rich depth.
Recommended for those who carry feelings for their hometown or who seek comfort in the beauty of nature.
[Local Songs] Recommended Tracks Filled with Hometown Pride: Beloved Classics from Across Japan (131–140)
Trace ~Footprints~JA soo Kagoshima no Orijinaru Songu
A heartwarming song filled with love for Kagoshima’s land and its people.
Its gentle melody conveys the region’s rich nature, the efforts of those who came before, and hope for the children of the future.
Completed in June 2020, the piece inspired a dance video in April 2021 aimed at energizing workplaces and local communities, featuring staff and officers dancing together—a performance that became a talking point.
It is a song that resonates across generations, serving as a spiritual hometown for those living away from Kagoshima and a source of pride for locals.
A must-listen for anyone who cherishes the future of agriculture and the bonds within the community.
Familiar TrainManami
This is a song by MANAMI that invites you on a soothing melodic journey filled with love and warmth for one’s hometown.
Set along the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line, its lyrics gently depict local scenery and everyday life, while MANAMI’s clear, translucent voice matches perfectly to deliver nostalgia and comfort to listeners.
Included on the album “Fukushima Egao 2,” released in November 2021, this track is a beloved local song and the officially endorsed support song of the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line.
It’s highly recommended for anyone living away from home or for all who hold their hometown dear.
Fukushima personave
This is a signature work by ave, a singer-songwriter from Fukushima Prefecture, whose heartfelt longing for home resonates deeply.
Having composed multiple songs about Fukushima, ave’s voice has continually encouraged local residents.
After being included on the mini-album “Boku no Uta wa, Kimi no Uta Sore ga Fuku no Uta,” released in June 2011 just after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the song was performed at local reconstruction support events and at “KazetoRock LIVE Fukushima,” quietly connecting with people’s hearts.
It is a gem of a song that sings of the pride and bonds of the people of Fukushima, gently standing with those who hold hope for recovery.