[Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.

Women’s FestivalIchikawa Yukino

Yukino Ichikawa / Woman's Festival

Enka singer Yukino Ichikawa’s debut song was “Onna no Matsuri,” released in 1993.

It’s a number inspired by the “Onna Mikoshi” at the Docchan Festival in Imari, Saga Prefecture, where only women carry the portable shrine.

While mikoshi are often associated with men, the Docchan Festival’s “Onna Mikoshi” has a power and energy that rivals any other.

If listening to “Onna no Matsuri” piques your interest, be sure to visit Imari in Saga!

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Hamada Takuya

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Tokyo Olympic OndoMinami Haruo

Haruo Minami “Tokyo Olympic Ondo” 1963

This is a piece composed to commemorate the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, using the rhythm of a traditional Japanese ondo.

It celebrates the joy of the Olympic festival and the mingling of people from around the world, weaving in expressions that evoke Japan’s nature and culture.

Thanks to Haruo Minami’s enthusiastic promotional efforts, it became a major hit, selling about 1.3 million copies by the end of 1964.

The work can be seen as a song that both expresses the joy of hosting the Olympics and offers encouragement to all participants, serving to introduce Japan’s festival culture to the world.

Great Catch Festivalsakuramaya

Big Catch Festival - Sakura Maya

Among festival songs, the one that celebrates a bountiful fish catch is Maya Sakura’s “Tairyō Matsuri” (“Bountiful Catch Festival”).

It was Sakura’s debut single when she made her debut in 2008 as the youngest enka singer in history.

Her mature, vibrato-rich voice astonished many! This song conveys not only the joy of a big catch, but also gratitude and appreciation for the fishermen who bravely head out to sea.

Of course, it’s not just for fishermen—it’s the perfect festival tune to applaud the efforts of anyone working hard.

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SAKI

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Laughing out loud to the festival musicKingu Kurīmusōda

King Cream Soda / Gera Gera Po at the Festival (Yo-kai Watch)

This song fuses the atmosphere of traditional Japanese festivals with a modern pop sound.

The lyrics are sprinkled with festival-specific elements—bustling crowds, lanterns, and large taiko drums—so you can feel the festive mood just by listening.

Released in October 2014, it was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Yo-kai Watch and as the theme song for the game of the same name.

It became a major hit, reaching No.

2 on the Oricon charts, and stands as one of King Cream Soda’s signature tracks.

This work is recommended for anyone who wants to experience the fun of festivals or get into a summer vibe.