A classic song about Nagano. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.

Scarred KaruizawaBureddo & Batā

Karuizawa Full of Scars, Bread & Butter

This early masterpiece, released to the world in September 1969 as a debut single, is a song about a summer romance at a resort.

Its lyrics depict moments in Karuizawa with a woman in a black lace gown, beautifully expressing the bittersweetness of a sweet love in a heavenly place that eventually becomes wounded like fallen leaves.

With poetic lyrics seamlessly fused with a refined melody, the piece is praised as a pioneering work that bridged folk and pop.

It’s a perfect song for those who like to picture the scenery of Karuizawa or nostalgically look back on a past romance.

Suzaka City AnthemSakushi: Minamisawa Tsuguo / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kousaku

Suzaka City Anthem

The Suzaka City Song—a dignified ode to the majestic nature of Shinshu and love for one’s hometown—features lyrics by Tsuguo Minamisawa and a solemn melody by Kosaku Yamada.

Premiered in October 1957 at the Suzaka Elementary School auditorium, the work depicts Nagano’s beautiful scenery over three verses: the seven-colored rainbow, the flow of the Chikuma River, and the bounty of the surrounding mountains, powerfully expressing civic pride and hope for the future.

Yamada remarked that he was able to compose it in one go, affectionately calling the piece “my child.” Created to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Suzaka’s incorporation as a city, it has continued to be sung at milestones such as Coming-of-Age ceremonies and graduations, cherished across generations as a song that nurtures love for the hometown.

Alone on the Shinano RoadHarada Yuuri

Alone on the Shinano Road

This is a song by Yuri Harada, released in January 1997, that sings of longing for one’s hometown through the mindset of a solo journey.

Against the backdrop of Shinshu’s beautiful scenery, it delicately portrays a woman’s loneliness and nostalgia as she traces her travels.

Harada’s richly expressive vocals superbly convey the protagonist’s deep-seated yearning and wistfulness, resonating profoundly with listeners.

The melancholy melody line gives it a classic enka feel that evokes the nature and climate of Shinshu.

It’s a recommended track for those living away from their hometown or for anyone who cherishes solitary moments at life’s turning points.

Rain in AzuminoShimazu Etsuko

Rain in Azumino

One of Etsuko Shimazu’s signature songs, in which the rain falling in the Shinshu mountains resonates deep in the heart.

Haruo Yoshioka’s lyrics weave together the joy and pain of love, while Tetsuya Gen’s wistful melody beautifully portrays a heartrending romance.

Released by King Records in June 2003, the song has also been included in the albums “Etsuko Shimazu Complete Collection 2013” and “Etsuko Shimazu Best Selection 2014,” and has long remained beloved.

It is a song that gently accompanies those who carry memories of their hometown or past love in their hearts, and those standing at a turning point in life.

Lake Nojiri AloneMizumori Kaori

Nojiri Lake Alone / Kaori Mizumori 2020

This is a gem of a regional enka song, richly performed by Kaori Mizumori, capturing the feelings of a woman trying to heal a broken heart on the quiet shores of a Shinshu lake.

Against the beautiful scenery of Lake Nojiri, it vividly portrays her poignant resolve to sever ties with the past.

Released in April 2005 as the B-side to the single “Gonō Line,” it was also included on her 10th anniversary album the same year.

Highly recommended for those facing the end of a romance or seeking a fresh start at a turning point in life.

Hakuba Mountain Foothillskaryūdō

Hunter: “At the Foot of Mount Hakuba”

This song, which sings of a longing for snowy northern landscapes and majestic mountains, is a classic distinguished by the beautiful harmonies of Kariudo.

Its lyrics delicately portray the feelings of someone who has left their hometown, resonating deeply and conjuring vivid images of mountain ranges cloaked in white snow.

Released in July 1980, the piece is arranged with a folk foundation while incorporating pop elements, and the warm tones of the acoustic guitar lend the entire track a rich depth.

Recommended for those who carry feelings for their hometown or who seek comfort in the beauty of nature.

pointed hatKawada Masako

Pointed Hats ~ The Hill Where Bells Ring | Lyrics by Kazuo Kikuta, Music by Yuji Koseki

This is a song that became beloved as the theme for NHK’s radio drama “Kane no Naru Oka” in 1950, early in the postwar Shōwa era.

The drama, which depicted war orphans looking forward and living together in a mountain village in Nagano, was a major hit.

You may not have known about the radio drama itself, but perhaps you’ve heard this song somewhere before.

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