Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day] A roundup of popular Japanese songs perfect for mass performances [Athletic Festival]

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Mass games are a staple event at school sports days and athletics festivals.

They’re large-scale marching performances where participants change formations in sync with the timing.

When everyone moves in perfect harmony, it feels great—not just for the audience, but for the performers too!

This time, we’ve put together a list of popular Japanese songs that are perfect for mass games.

The key point in choosing tracks is that the speed matches the movement.

We’ve selected songs that make it easy to keep your steps brisk and rhythmic!

We hope you find the perfect track to match your vision!

[Sports Day] A roundup of popular Japanese songs perfect for mass performances [School Festival] (51–60)

SUNHoshino Gen

Gen Hoshino – SUN (Official Video)

SUNHoshino Gen

The perfect song for a mass performance where a large group moves as one is “SUN.” It was released in 2015 by singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino and is known as one of his signature tracks.

The sound has a somewhat nostalgic vibe.

Match the mid-tempo tune with synchronized marching and dance.

It’s also a good idea to incorporate the unique dance featured in the music video.

This number works well whether you go for rhythmic steps or create a section where the group claps together.

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MomotaroSuiyōbi no Campanella

Wednesday Campanella 'Momotaro'

MomotaroSuiyōbi no Campanella

Even just the title grabs your attention, doesn’t it? This track by Wednesday Campanella, a music unit known for their distinctive style, was released in 2014.

As the title suggests, its unique lyrics are based on the story of Momotaro, creating an unexpectedly strong synergy with the artistic sound.

The more you listen, the more it grows on you—an incredibly addictive song! It would definitely energize the crowd if performed as a mass display at a school sports day or athletic festival.

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paprikaFoorin

[Paprika] Dance Music Video | Foorin × Kenshi Yonezu | NHK

paprikaFoorin

“Paprika” by Foorin, a dance song that became hugely popular especially among children.

Released in 2018, the song was produced by Kenshi Yonezu.

It was broadcast frequently on TV, and many children even copied the dance itself and performed it at events like school sports days.

The tempo is a bit slower than a walking pace, but it allows for careful, rhythmical performance.

It’s an easy song to work with even when doing a mass performance for the first time.

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U.S.A.DA PUMP

DA PUMP / U.S.A. (short ver.)

U.S.A.DA PUMP

It’s a song released by DA PUMP in 2018, and it’s a cover of a track by Italian singer Joe Yellow.

The dancing throughout—especially in the chorus—is striking, and it’s a popular number even at school sports festivals.

With its Eurobeat sound that feels both laid-back and flashy, it seems well-suited to mass performance routines that involve moving formations.

Along with the “Iine Dance” in the chorus, the “Invader Dance” during the instrumental break is also a memorable part of this song, so it could be interesting to incorporate those choreographed moves into formation transitions.

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SONG 4 UGReeeeN

GReeeeN / SONG 4 U

SONG 4 UGReeeeN

The vocal group GReeeeN included the song “SONG 4 U” on their album Rockin’ Beats.

It’s a track that portrays friendship among students and gratitude toward those who have always supported them.

Because the lyrics express thanks so directly, the message is likely to come across clearly to anyone watching a mass performance.

Another appeal is that the first half has a somewhat relaxed pace that makes it easy to match steps, while the latter half builds to an exciting climax.

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