A classic song that sings of Nagasaki: the enduring heart of our hometown
Nagasaki Prefecture, located at the western edge of Kyushu, has the most islands of any prefecture in Japan.
Some of you may feel it often comes up in Japanese history classes.
It’s a region with a rich history, where many elements of Western culture spread throughout Japan via this very gateway.
In this article, I’ve compiled a selection of Japanese songs themed around Nagasaki.
Laying them out side by side, I feel “diverse” is the perfect word—there’s a wide range of genres and tracks represented.
I hope this helps you rediscover the charm of Nagasaki!
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Masterpieces that sing of Nagasaki: the enduring spirit of our hometown (11–20)
SaseboLe Couple
This song, Sasebo, features lyrics written by Emi Fujita of Le Couple for a composition by Masashi Sada.
Le Couple also self-covered the song, and it is included on their best-of album 10-nen Monogatari ~All Singles of the decade and more~.
It’s a gentle piece that expresses tender feelings for the parents left behind in one’s hometown.
Madame Butterfly of NagasakiMisora Hibari
This song was used in the 1957 musical film “Oatari Sanshoku Musume,” in which Hibari Misora herself starred.
The lyrics are based on “Madama Butterfly,” the famous opera.
It’s a track where you can enjoy Hibari Misora’s vocals set to a lively melody.
Terminal Station NagasakiMaekawa Kiyoshi
Shuchaku Eki Nagasaki (Terminal Station Nagasaki) is a song by Kiyoshi Maekawa released in 1995.
The lyrics and music were written by Masashi Sada, who is from Nagasaki and has sung many local songs about the city.
Set at Nagasaki Station, it is a poignant song about parting.
Get on a boat from NagasakiItsuki Hiroshi
This is a 1971 song that Hiroshi Itsuki released following his smash hit “Yokohama Tasogare,” after a long spell without any hits.
In this song, Nagasaki is merely the point of departure, so it’s not strictly a local-themed song, but the lyrics, depicting a journey from Nagasaki to various parts of Japan, convey an indescribable sense of sorrow.
My NagasakiKoyanagi Rumiko
This is the B-side track to the 1975 single “Hanaguruma,” released to commemorate the opening of Nagasaki Airport.
With chiming bells and a refreshing vocal that feels light and airy, it’s a love song in which two people, who deepened their love in the city of Nagasaki, sing about returning someday.
Shianbashi BluesNakai Akira, Takahashi Masaru to Kororatīno
A song by Coloratino, who were active as the house band for a cabaret in Nagasaki.
This track became their breakthrough.
Released as a single in 1968, it was a major hit.
The title “Shianbashi” refers to a bridge that once existed; today, only the site remains.
Classic songs about Nagasaki: the enduring spirit of our hometown (21–30)
It was sunny in Nagasaki today.Ushirogawa Kiyoshi & Hotto Faibu
This is a parody song of the classic local hit “Nagasaki wa Kyou mo Ame Datta” (“It Was Rainy Again in Nagasaki Today”).
The singer is Kiyoshi Ushirogawa, an impersonator of Kiyoshi Maekawa, and two former members of the Cool Five, Etsuro Miyamoto and Masaki Kobayashi, also participate.
In fact, Nagasaki doesn’t get that much rain.
How about spending a sunny day listening to this track?