[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 that sing about festivals. Classic festival-related tunes (21–30)
Hometown Ibaraki Ondo
Set in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, this is a heart-stirring original bon-odori song.
Featuring the vocals of Mayuko Hayashida, the piece stands out with its brisk tempo and familiar, catchy phrasing.
Just by listening, you can feel your body naturally start to move as if you were in the festival circle—such is its joy.
Woven into the lyrics are deep affection for one’s hometown and a warm message encouraging everyone to cherish and carry on local traditions together.
Performed for many years at the Ibaraki Festival, it has been embraced as a bon dance number that promotes the community.
For those connected to Ibaraki City, it may well evoke fond memories and images of the hometown landscape.
festivalKetsumeishi
Ketsumeishi’s “Matsuri” is a fusion of Tsugaru shamisen and hip-hop.
It was included as the B-side to the 2010 single “O Futari Summer.” The lyrics powerfully spotlight traditional Japanese festivals—dance, mikoshi, and music.
The sharp, taut tones born from the intense Tsugaru shamisen performance intertwine with the rap on top, and the result is incredibly cool.
The lyrics, which seem to embody the spirit of Japanese men and Yamato Nadeshiko, are energizing to listen to.
It’s perfect for enjoying a powerful summer festival, so definitely give it a listen!
Hurray for the festival!kururi
Quruli, a rock band that represents Kyoto.
This irresistibly catchy song, “Omatsuri Wasshoi,” sticks with you after just one listen and is included on Quruli’s sixth album, “NIKKI,” released in 2005.
Speaking of festivals, you think of mikoshi portable shrines—and the chant shouted while carrying them, “wasshoi,” appears throughout the lyrics, amping up the festive mood.
It conveys the exhilaration of a festival, while also capturing that inexpressible, slightly chaotic feeling unique to such occasions.
Once you hear it, you’ll find it stuck in your head and catch yourself humming along, for sure (lol).
Summer FestivalInoue Yosui
Included on Yosui Inoue’s second album, “Yosui II: Sentimental,” released in 1972, is the song “Natsu Matsuri” (“Summer Festival”).
The album was recorded in London and reached No.
10 on the Oricon album chart.
Festivals usually evoke a cheerful, bright image, but “Natsu Matsuri” is a dark-sounding number that makes extensive use of minor chords.
It sings about memories of going to a festival with his younger sister, yet it exudes an unsettling atmosphere.
Sound of SummerGReeeeN
If you’re thinking, “This is the summer I’ll finally tell the person I like how I feel,” I recommend GReeeeN’s Natsu no Oto (Sound of Summer).
Released in 2015 as a digital-only single, it was featured in Kirin’s Namacha campaign and is also included on the best-of album C, D desu to!?.
Just listening to scenes like picking out a yukata for your special someone before the big event of watching fireworks together will fill you with that sweet, bittersweet feeling.
Give Natsu no Oto a listen to summon the courage to confess!
Arale-chan Ondo
This is a bon odori song that reflects the brightness of the anime Dr.
Slump Arale-chan.
Its tempo perfectly matches the energetic characters, and the playful sound creates a fun atmosphere.
With lots of choreography you’ll want to imitate and catchy call-and-response shouts, it makes kids eager to jump in and dance.
The structure further heightens the festive excitement, letting you fully enjoy the lively mood.
It’s easy for children unfamiliar with the original work to enjoy, and it’s a song that naturally brings smiles as you dance.
It delivers a joyful festival experience that blends the anime’s world with music.
Dancing! Summer Festival10nin matsuri
Dancing! Natsu Matsuri, released in 2001 by 10nin Matsuri, a group formed by shuffling members of Hello! Project.
Packed with the heat and excitement of a summer festival, this song is perfect as background music for events like summer festivals! The lyrics depict how people who usually lead their own lives in different places return to their hometowns when festival season arrives to liven up the local festivities.
If you used to go to your hometown festivals as a kid, listening to this song will surely bring back those fun memories!
