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!

Playlist

A classic song that sings of Nagasaki: the enduring heart of our hometown
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Close your eyesMatsutōya Yumi		A beloved song expressing feelings for a friend who left the island.
2	Rainy Hollander SlopeWatanabe Hamako		Hamako Watanabe found success with songs featuring Chinese themes.
3	Nagasaki nights are purple.Segawa Eiko		Eiko Segawa’s hit song set in Nagasaki
4	DEJIMA RhapsodyMilkShake		A Love Story in the Era of Isolation on Dejima, Nagasaki
5	Everyone loves Nagasaki.ZINM		A band from Nagasaki supports the community through music
6	Dejima Storyshake		A song with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto that conveys the charms of Nagasaki
7	Nagasaki Holland Villagesaakasu		Nagasaki Holland Village has been rebuilt and is still in operation.
8	The Pomelo Vendor of NagasakiObata Minoru		Minoru Obata’s signature song “The Zabon Seller of Nagasaki”
9	Woman of NagasakiKasuga Hachirō		Kasuga Hachirō’s classic set in Nagasaki
10	Spirit Boat (Shoro Nagashi)sadamasashi		The scene of Shōrō-nagashi, the Obon event in Nagasaki
11	SaseboLe Couple		Emi Fujita adds lyrics to a Masashi Sada song
12	South wind		The Nagasaki Prefectural Anthem “Southern Wind” is a moving masterpiece.
13	ONE FLAGV·Fāren Nagasaki		V-Varen Nagasaki 15th Anniversary Support Song
14	Harbor SeekerAikawa Masaki		Masaki Aikawa’s journey singing of a woman’s heart, set in Kyushu
15	Madame Butterfly of NagasakiMisora Hibari		Representative songs from Hibari Misora’s films
16	Rain Man, Sunny Woman: Waiting for You at Dutch SlopeFuriwee Haihai		A heartfelt love song that portrays the charms of Nagasaki
17	Get on a boat from NagasakiItsuki Hiroshi		An inspiring song by Hiroshi Itsuki depicting Nagasaki
18	Terminal Station NagasakiMaekawa Kiyoshi		A farewell song filled with feelings for Nagasaki
19	My NagasakiKoyanagi Rumiko		A song about the chimes that sing of Nagasaki city's love
20	Shianbashi BluesNakai Akira, Takahashi Masaru to Kororatīno		A famous song about Shianbashi sung by a band from Nagasaki
21	It was sunny in Nagasaki today.Ushirogawa Kiyoshi & Hotto Faibu		A fun parody song that energetically sings about Nagasaki
22	Nagasaki of Memoriesishida ayumi		An uplifting song that sings of hope in Nagasaki
23	Under the skies of my hometownMaruyama Akihiro		Singing about love for my hometown, imbued with the experience of the atomic bombing
24	The Hill of PromisesFukuyama Masaharu		A masterpiece filled with Masaharu Fukuyama’s love for his hometown
25	The Bells of NagasakiFujiyama Ichirō		A musical piece based on Nagai Takashi’s atomic bomb essays
26	Nagasaki BluesAoe Mina		A big hit by Mina Aoe; a film was also produced.
27	Rain Man, Sunny Woman: Waiting for You at Dutch SlopeFuriwee Haihai		From Nagasaki, a youthful anthem for a rain man and a sunshine girl
28	Nagasaki ElegyDikkumine Fujihara Chitaka		A classic duet that sings of Nagasaki’s scenery
29	Nagasaki StoryMisora Hibari		The story of a mixed-race woman from Nagasaki
30	It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		A smash hit song by Hiroshi Uchiyamada and The Cool Five
31	Camphor Tree — Blown by 500 Years of Wind —Fukuyama Masaharu		Vitality of life and a prayer for peace
32	Nagasaki ChansonHiguchi Shizuo		A famous chanson that sings of Nagasaki’s charms
33	Rain in Nagasakikawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka's famous song set in Nagasaki
34	Wanderer’s YearningHikawa Kiyoshi		27th single that sings about Kiyoshi Hikawa’s journey