[Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.
When you think of summer festivals, there are so many things to enjoy—fireworks, food stalls, and more.
And at Japanese festivals, mikoshi (portable shrines) and bon odori (bon dances) are essential, too.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs related to these festivals! When you hear “festival-themed songs,” you might think of a lot of enka, but we’ve picked tracks across a wide range of genres—J-pop, rock, idol music, and more—that kids can get excited about, with modern touches woven in as well.
These songs are perfect companions for festivals, and there are also tracks that let you soak up the festival mood or savor the afterglow.
Be sure to check out some festival tunes that match your taste!
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[Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous festival-related songs (11–20)
summer festivalJITTERIN’JINN
This is the fourth single by the rock band JITTERIN’JINN, who became the sixth “King” on the popular audition show Miyake Yūji no Ikasu Band Tengoku and rose to fame with songs centered on a two-beat rhythm.
Known as a classic summer song in J-pop, it reached an even wider audience when the girls’ band Whiteberry covered it in 2000.
The lyrics, which depict bittersweet memories, likely resonated with many listeners who overlaid them with their own experiences.
With festival-evoking beats, a rockabilly atmosphere, and a lyrical guitar solo, it’s an outstanding track that showcases a uniquely imaginative world only JITTERIN’JINN could express.
Higashimurayama OndoShimura Ken
The “Higashimurayama Ondo” that Ken Shimura sang in the hugely popular variety show It’s 8 O’Clock! All Gather! was originally a song created by Higashimurayama City in Tokyo—Shimura’s hometown—to commemorate the city’s incorporation.
What Shimura sings is a remake version.
Its content differs greatly from the original, featuring a comical arrangement that livens up Higashimurayama.
Even if you’re not a resident or have never been there, it’s a cheerful festival song that will naturally make your body start dancing with excitement!
Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken
Known affectionately as Matsuken and famous for his energetic musical activities like “Matsuken Mambo” and “Matsuken Rock,” actor Ken Matsudaira’s 20th single occupies a special place.
Positioned as the second installment in the “Matsuken Samba” series, it interestingly isn’t a strict samba despite the word “samba” in the title, as suggested by its lyrics and musical style—a number that reflects Japan’s unique approach to genre classification.
Its irresistible impact makes everyone want to sing and dance along, perfectly embodying the spirit of a festival.
It’s a classic festival anthem in J-pop history that upended the image of Ken Matsudaira as a grand master of period dramas.
Yearning for the summer festival＝LOVE
While summer festivals are often seen as fun times spent with friends, many people also use these big events as a turning point to express their feelings.
This song depicts a love story tied to a summer festival, capturing the emotional movement and resolve of someone trying to confess their feelings.
The way the group sings in unison about their romantic determination conveys an image of friends cheering on someone’s love.
With its overall bright sound, the song evokes a sense of charging straight toward love and a powerful resolve.
fireworksaiko
Aiko’s “Hanabi” is striking for its unique worldview: while fireworks are usually seen from below, the song expresses a desire to look down on them from above.
Released as a single in 1999, it reached No.
10 on the Oricon charts.
The lyrics, which sing of steadfast feelings, are poignant and pair perfectly with Aiko’s characteristically bluesy melody line.
It’s also said that the lyrics reflect Aiko’s disappointment at being unable to attend her hometown’s annual fireworks festival—a place she went every year—because of her busy schedule after debuting the year before the release.
summer festivalNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
“Natsumatsuri” by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi is a song about going to a summer festival with his girlfriend.
It’s included on his 1994 best-of album “Itsuka no Shonen.” Seeing her in a yukata, having such a great time, he sings of a pure feeling—wanting to stay together like this forever.
The lyrics, depicting their time at the festival, paint such vivid scenes that you can picture them just by listening.
For anyone planning to go to a festival with their partner, this is a track you’ll surely relate to!
[Let’s Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs that sing about festivals. Classic festival-related tunes (21–30)
cotton candyback number
This is the sixth single by back number, a three-piece rock band whose heartrending vocals and lyrics resonate especially with younger listeners and have earned support from a wide range of fans.
Chosen as the opening theme for the music program “COUNT DOWN TV,” the track conveys a palpable sense of summer humidity through its atmosphere and arrangement.
The lyrics exquisitely depict scenes that many men have likely imagined at least once, linking with the imagery of a summer festival to make the pictures even more vivid.
It’s a festival song whose daring yet relatable lyrics and nuanced sense of temperature—something not seen before in J-pop—are perfectly balanced.