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

The Hotaka Mountain Range of the Northern Alps, the night view of Lake Suwa, the timeless flow of the Chikuma River.

Blessed with abundant nature, Nagano has long been cherished by many artists as the stage for songs that resonate in the heart.

In this article, we’ve picked out songs related to Nagano from a wide range of genres, including folk songs, enka, and J-pop.

We present a selection of gems that depict the beauty of Nagano—its stunning seasonal landscapes and the feelings of the people who live there, woven together.

Please enjoy them at your leisure, whether reminiscing about Nagano’s scenery or looking forward to the day you visit.

Playlist

A classic song about Nagano. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Shinano ProvinceHimegami, Misutera, Feo		A famous local song loved by the people of Nagano Prefecture
2	Song of Nagano PrefectureAsakura Kurumi		A warm song that sings of love for the Shinshu homeland
3	Space and NaganoOkazaki Taiiku		A song in which Okazaki Taiiku expresses his complex affection for his hometown
4	Komoro Love SongOkawa Eisaku		The feelings of an older brother worried about his younger sister who married into the city
5	a hundred stepsFun-de-Led		A school-originated song for the 100th anniversary
6	Bonfire of the Windsadamasashi		Ballad included on Masashi Sada’s “Yume Kuyō”
7	Chikuma Ko-utaSakushi: Masaki Fujokyu / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei		A quintessential Japanese masterpiece from the early Showa era, born in a hot spring town along the Chikuma River.
8	Woman of KisoKitajima Saburō		A signature song by Saburō Kitajima that sings of the feelings of a woman on the Kiso Road
9	Kiso-bushiNaganoken minyō		A folk song from the Kiso region, a wistful melody on traditional Japanese instruments
10	Woman of the Kiso RoadHarada Yuuri		A masterpiece of enka by Yuri Harada set on the Kiso Road
11	Komoro Packhorse Driver’s SongNaganoken minyō		A traditional folk song from Shinshu sung to encourage horses along mountain paths
12	AzuminoHarada Yuuri		A Heartbroken Journey Through Azumino on the Oito Line
13	Alone on the Shinano RoadHarada Yuuri		An art song about thinking of one’s hometown on a solo journey
14	Hakuba Mountain Foothillskaryūdō		A famous song of a snowy landscape that evokes one’s hometown
15	Scarred KaruizawaBureddo & Batā		A famous song that sings of a fleeting romance in Karuizawa
16	Suzaka City AnthemSakushi: Minamisawa Tsuguo / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kousaku		Suzaka City Song that sings of Shinshu’s nature and local love
17	Rain in AzuminoShimazu Etsuko		Etsuko Shimazu’s signature song in which the rain of Shinshu resonates in the heart
18	Lake Nojiri AloneMizumori Kaori		A lakeside enka in Shinshu that heals a broken heart
19	holidayDragon Ash		A city youth makes a new resolve at Lake Suwa
20	pointed hatKawada Masako		A radio drama depicting the communal life of war orphans
21	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		Farewell Lyrics and the Discrepancy in the Train Timetable
22	Messenger from the MoonBaishō Chieko		The theme song of a movie set on the Nagano Highlands
23	Matsumoto Bon BonMaekawa Yōko		Matsumoto Bonbon is the largest summer festival in the prefecture.
24	A Summer Resort Romancecherisshu		Cherish's Wedding Song
25	A slightly capricious migratory birdHikawa Kiyoshi		A Song of a Journey Remembering My Mother
26	Elegy of the Chikuma RiverNomura Mina		Heartbreak and sorrow along the Bessho Line
27	Kiso KoishigureKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima sang about regions across the country and chose Kiso.
28	Karuizawa Hotelsadamasashi		Farewell in Karuizawa and the end of summer
29	The Road of KinasaNishijima Mieko		A low-key yet enduring singer-songwriter
30	Northern Shinano LamentNoji Yukiko		A tragic love story as the theme song of a daytime drama in 1965 (Showa 40)
31	Matsukawa OnDo!Kozaka Akiko		The commemorative song for the 40th anniversary of Matsukawa Town’s establishment as a municipality. Lyrics and composition by Akiko Kosaka.
32	By the old castle at KomoroOgawa Akiko		A Poetry Collection on the Four Seasons of the Chikuma River
33	Chikumagawa RiverItsuki Hiroshi		A song by Hiroshi Itsuki that sings of the beauty of the Chikuma River, together with memories of first love.
34	Farewell, Hotaka.daakudakkusu		There exists a mountaineering song derived from a military song.
35	Kisogawa MirenMizuta Takiko		A female singer sings the Sixty-nine Stations of the Nakasendō
36	hometownshouka		A song that symbolizes the Japanese spirit, expressing feelings for one’s hometown
37	Song of the Rock Ptarmigansan-shi-roku		The rock ptarmigan is a resident bird that withstands the cold and is the prefectural bird.
38	Azusagawa, Shinano RoadMori Masako		The scenery of Nagano’s beautiful mountains and the Azusa River
39	Kiso is in the mountains.Katsuragi Yuki		A woman's story of heartbreak and being moved by nature
40	Kurohime Monogatariozawa akiko		A narrative enka inspired by the Kurohime legend
41	Karuizawa ConnectionOginome Yōko		Yoko Oginome’s struggle with becoming an adult set in Karuizawa
42	Young Lady of the PlateauFunaki Kazuo		A coming-of-age film set in the Tateshina Highlands
43	Tenryu GorgeMizumori Kaori		Date course at the Bell of Happiness in the Tenryu River Gorge
44	Kiso-bushi SandogasaHashi Yukio		Popular songs that incorporated the Kiso-bushi gained popularity.
45	Longing for the Chikuma RiverIshihara Yūjirō		The Chikuma River overlaps with the image of Fujimura’s first love.
46	Evening Moon over ShinanoMitsubishi Michiya		A wistful song that evokes thoughts of the natural beauty of one’s hometown