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 [Athletic Festival] (21–30)

Biri MillionYuuri

Yuuri “Birimirion” Official Music Video

Biri MillionYuuri

Yuri’s “Billimillion,” with its catchy chorus that turns many listeners into fans after just one listen, is likely used by many schools for their sports days.

The chorus has a brisk tempo, so the key is to dance while expressing yourself with big movements of your arms and legs.

The gentle melody and lyrics will lift the dancers’ spirits and are sure to get everyone excited! Performing in the special setting of a sports day can be nerve-wracking, but once you finish the dance, you’ll likely feel both a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.

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My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense (movie ver.) [Official Music Video]

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS

The perfect song to hype up the entire student body and the audience is “Zenzenzense.” It was released in 2016 by RADWIMPS, a rock band that captivates listeners with its wide-ranging musicality.

Since it was featured in the film “Your Name,” both students and parents have probably heard it at least once.

Be sure to deliver an energetic performance along with the driving band sound.

Movements like running in time with the rhythmic tempo or raising your fists will make a strong impact.

It’s a refreshing track that will blow away the heat of sports days and athletic festivals.

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[Sports Day] A roundup of popular Japanese songs perfect for mass performances [School Festival] (31–40)

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – StaRt

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s “StaRt,” with its catchy melody, is a song that people of all ages can enjoy.

Since it’s energetic right from the intro, let’s incorporate strong, simple movements into the expression.

The uplifting melody should help create a greater sense of unity in the venue.

For the up-tempo parts, focus while moving your arms and legs, and express it with a smile.

Wearing matching outfits for the performance will enhance the sense of togetherness and make it a wonderful sports day.

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TrainKetsumeishi

Ketsumeishi “Train”

TrainKetsumeishi

This song portrays the pursuit of dreams, like a train that keeps running fueled by passionate determination.

Released in August 2007 as the 14th single, it was featured as the CM song for JR East’s 20th anniversary.

Its upbeat rhythm and lyrics packed with the message “let’s keep moving forward” resonate deeply.

It’s perfect for students performing synchronized mass routines, and ideal for moments when many people unite to achieve something together.

Consider choosing it for sports days and athletic festivals.

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YONA YONA DANCEWada Akiko

Akiko Wada - YONA YONA DANCE

YONA YONA DANCEWada Akiko

Akiko Wada’s “YONA YONA DANCE” has a lively tempo that makes it perfect for marching while dancing.

Released in 2021, the song was written and composed by Kenji Mihara of Frederic, with Frederic also handling production.

It sparked a major buzz on social media, where many users posted dance videos.

Above all, the track’s brisk tempo makes it ideal for use in activities like mass games and sports.

It’s just a bit faster than walking pace, ensuring you can put on a dynamic, high-energy mass performance without a doubt!

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HeroFUNKY MONKEY BABYS

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS "Hero"

HeroFUNKY MONKEY BABYS

This is a song by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS that straightforwardly expresses admiration and gratitude toward fathers.

Its gentle rhythm allows for calm movement even when used for a mass performance, helping the song’s message come through more directly.

If you develop formations that match the parts of the lyrics you especially want to convey, you can likely create a moving performance.

Let’s aim to refine it with the goal of touching the hearts of the fathers who come to watch the sports day or school athletic festival.

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FloriginalMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Floriginal” Official Music Video

FloriginalMrs. GREEN APPLE

It’s wonderful to color a mass performance with a song brimming with happiness, isn’t it? With that in mind, I’d like to introduce “Floriginal.” This piece was written by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE as part of a collaboration project with PARFA TUNE.

Set to a grand, sweeping sound, it expresses anxieties about the future, feelings of loneliness, and the journey of overcoming them to move toward a brilliant future.

Because it has a strong narrative quality, it should be easy to devise movements inspired by the story.

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