Miyagi Songs: Popular tracks that celebrate famous sights and specialties, and timeless pieces filled with love for home
Miyagi Prefecture has flourished as the gateway to the Tohoku region and developed into one of Japan’s leading cities.
Its climate, unique culture, rich natural surroundings, and charming cityscapes have been celebrated in countless songs over the years.
In this article, we’ve picked out “Songs of Miyagi” that let you feel the prefecture’s allure through music.
From classic tracks that capture Miyagi’s landscapes, to local anthems by popular artists, to humorous novelty songs, we’ll introduce music brimming with love for Miyagi.
Be sure to listen and let your thoughts wander to the land of Miyagi!
[Miyagi Songs] Popular Tracks Celebrating Landmarks and Local Specialties & Beloved Classics Filled with Hometown Love (1–10)
Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki
From the very introduction, this is a local song that somehow puts you at ease.
It doesn’t overtly tout the region’s virtues; it simply sings about the ordinary scenery that’s just there.
The melody and lyrics are striking, conveying the purity of the water and the lushness of nature.
It’s a classic that has long been cherished by the people of Sendai.
Ah, Miyagi PrefectureYoshikawa Danjirō
This is a song brimming with love for Miyagi, memorable for its Tohoku-accented lyrics and humorous melody.
Even as the protagonist is bewildered by the dazzling neon lights of the big city, you can feel their pure affection for home in the way they think of the region’s world-renowned rice and its beautiful landscapes.
The repeated “dandan” rhythm sticks in your head after a single listen and naturally lifts your spirits.
Released as a single in April 1976, this piece may warm your heart—especially if you’re working hard away from home or want to let your thoughts drift to Miyagi.
Miss SendaiFutaba Akiko
This song nostalgically sings of the beautiful four seasons in Sendai, the City of Forests, and a faint budding romance born in the castle town.
You can almost picture the babbling of the Hirose River and the streets below Aoba Castle; listening to it feels like time-traveling to the good old Sendai.
Released in July 1936, the piece recently drew renewed attention as a charming work when it was used as an insert song in the NHK morning drama Yell.
For those living away from their hometown, it will gently resonate with memories of Sendai’s nostalgic scenery.
Midnight, Sendai’s Kokubuncho.haji→
This is a hometown-love-filled song by Haji→ that humorously sings about the lively nightlife of Kokubuncho, Sendai’s entertainment district.
The sound, with a timbre reminiscent of the shamisen and elements of enka and festival music woven together, is a full-on festive romp.
It comically portrays how people end up cutting loose at parties with friends, and just listening to it puts you in a cheerful mood.
The track first appeared on the mini-album “Hajibam.” released in January 2011, and later was included with a new arrangement on the 2014 album “Meccha☆Hajibam.+1.” If you listen to it while imagining a night in Miyagi, you might find a whole new way to enjoy it.
Shining HometownNEW!Miyagi-ken
Shining Hometown was created during the postwar reconstruction period as part of efforts to revive a devastated homeland.
With lyrics by Tokuo Tohyama and music by Fumihiko Fukui, it carries a powerful message vowing the advent of peace, the promotion of industry, and the building of a new Miyagi.
Unlike the prewar prefectural anthem, the process of selecting the lyrics through a public call in collaboration with the Kahoku Shimpo reflects the residents’ own zeal to rebuild their homeland with their own hands.
It is also noteworthy that the song continues to be sung at official occasions to this day.
Plan — When I return to Miyagi —Nakamura Masatoshi
If you’re from Miyagi Prefecture, you’ll probably find a lot to relate to.
Even people from other regions might recognize zunda mochi and Sasanishiki rice, but knowing “Beniland” or “odazumokko” is a true sign you’re from Miyagi! Beniland is a famous amusement park in Sendai, and odazumokko means a playful, mischievous person.
If you’re from Miyagi, definitely give it a listen—let it take you back home.
Uma-velousMONKEY MAJIK × Sandoicchiman
It’s the ultimate party tune by MONKEY MAJIK and Sandwichman, who are both emblematic of Miyagi.
This track was created around Sandwichman’s Mikio Date’s famous “zero-calorie theory.” The lyrics even feature Miyagi specialties like gyutan (grilled beef tongue) and zunda mochi, radiating plenty of hometown pride.
Set to an authentic disco sound, the playful line “Calories can’t withstand high heat, so deep-fried food is fine!” will surely lift listeners’ spirits.
Once you hear it, the phrase “Umaverous” will stick in your head—an irresistibly fun song through and through.