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!
- [2026] A Collection of Classic Enka and Kayōkyoku Songs About Nagasaki [Local Songs]
- A classic song about Nagano. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Nagasaki: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- A classic song that sings of Nagasaki: the enduring heart of our hometown
- [Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
- [Songs of Kagoshima] The heart of our hometown carried on in song | A curated selection of classic tracks that embody Kagoshima
- A famous song about Fukuoka. The heart of the hometown passed down through song.
- Classic Songs About Nara: Local Anthems and Popular Hits [2026]
- [Hiroshima Songs] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song | A Curated Selection of Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations
- A roundup of regional enka songs: classic hits that feature places from all across Japan in their lyrics.
- Classic songs about Saga. A number of tracks related to Saga Prefecture.
- Famous songs and local tunes that sing of Wakayama: melodies that carry on the spirit of our hometown.
- [Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
Classic songs about Nagasaki: the enduring spirit of our hometown (21–30)
Nagasaki StoryMisora Hibari
The story of Jagatara Oharu, a woman born to a Japanese mother and an Italian father, who appears in Nagasaki Yawagusa by Nishikawa Joken, a scholar of the Edo period.
Based on a letter she wrote to her hometown of Nagasaki, it is a classic Showa-era song that has been covered by artists such as Sayuri Ishikawa and Yoshimi Tendo.
It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five
Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five were active as the house band for a cabaret in Nagasaki City.
Their debut song, “Nagasaki wa Kyō mo Ame Datta” (“It Was Rainy Again in Nagasaki Today”), was released in 1969.
The song became a big hit, winning the Newcomer Award at the 11th Japan Record Awards that same year, and the group made their first appearance at the 20th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
A classic song about Nagasaki: The enduring spirit of our hometown (31–40)
Camphor Tree — Blown by 500 Years of Wind —Fukuyama Masaharu
This work centers on a camphor tree in Nagasaki that survived the atomic bombing and continues to live today.
Spanning 500 years, it embodies the resilience of life that has endured a harsh history, expressed through Masaharu Fukuyama’s steadfast, resonant vocals.
The piece is a rearrangement of a track included on the album “HUMAN,” released in April 2014, newly orchestrated with chorus after roughly eleven years.
Its majestic sonority evokes an even deeper prayer for peace.
It’s also wonderful to feel the power of music in the fact that a portion of the proceeds from this work will be donated to a fund for preserving A-bombed trees.
It is a masterpiece that stirs thoughts of history, gives us strength to face tomorrow, and leaves a lasting mark on the heart.
Nagasaki ChansonHiguchi Shizuo
This is a song by Shizuo Higuchi, who had been active as a singer since the early Showa era.
Released after the war, Nagasaki Chanson became a hit.
It sings about the history and specialties of Nagasaki and can be considered a pioneering local song for the city.
Rain in Nagasakikawanaka miyuki
This is a song released in 2011 to commemorate Miyuki Kawanaka’s 35th anniversary since her debut.
The lyrics mention famous spots such as Dejima and Dutch Slope, as well as Kunchi, a festival in northern Kyushu.
Set in Nagasaki, it is a song that poignantly expresses a woman’s heartache.
Wanderer’s YearningHikawa Kiyoshi
This is Kiyoshi Hikawa’s 27th single, released in 2015.
It sings about a journey crossing the Kanmon Straits and traveling through Hakata, Nagasaki, and Kagoshima.
Not only Nagasaki but various sightseeing spots appear in the lyrics, making it a song that makes you want to set off on a trip just by listening.
In conclusion
You might have even had some surprising discoveries, like, “Wait, this person sang a song about Nagasaki?” Of course, local songs from Nagasaki will continue to grow in number. I plan to update this article from time to time, so I’d be delighted if you stop by again.