A classic song that celebrates Niigata. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
When you think of Niigata, you think of Koshihikari rice! But this time, I’d like to introduce some songs themed around Niigata.
We’ve gathered a variety: enka that sings of the particular loneliness of snowy regions, songs inspired by folk music, and funky tunes that convey Niigata’s greatness.
For those who live in Niigata or lived there as children, some of these tracks may bring back memories.
Each song showcases what makes Niigata wonderful, so be sure to listen while checking out the lyrics.
A selection of Niigata songs, just for you!
- Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
- [Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
- [Akita Songs] A Collection of Gem-Like Local Tunes Filled with Love for Hometowns
- Bands, artists, and singers from Niigata Prefecture
- A classic song about Nagano. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- A roundup of regional enka songs: classic hits that feature places from all across Japan in their lyrics.
- [Songs of Fukushima] Thinking of my hometown | A heartwarming collection of classic songs celebrating the beautiful “Fukushima”
- A classic song that sings of Yamanashi. The enduring heart of our hometown.
- [Yamagata Songs] Beloved local tunes and classic tracks celebrating majestic nature and hometown pride
- Chiba Songs: A comprehensive introduction, from famous tunes filled with hometown love to local theme songs
- Miyagi Songs: Popular tracks that celebrate famous sights and specialties, and timeless pieces filled with love for home
- [Hometown Songs] A curated selection of popular Japanese tracks that fill your heart with nostalgia
- A famous song about Fukuoka. The heart of the hometown passed down through song.
Masterpieces that sing of Niigata: the enduring spirit of our hometown (11–20)
Niigata HymnSakushi: Wakui Tōshirō / Sakkyoku: Iwafuneya Sajibee
Niigata Hymn is a song themed around Niigata Prefecture, known for lyrics by Toshiro Wakui and music by Yasajibe Iwafuneya.
Its colorful lyrics, woven from the four seasons, evoke Niigata’s rich natural beauty and paint warm landscapes in the listener’s mind.
For those who have left their hometown, it’s a tune that stirs nostalgia, and for those interested in Niigata, it can be an entry point to discovering its charm.
In any situation, this song will carry your heart to the scenery of Niigata.
Echigo-Yuzawa StationKoda Shin
Released on February 12, 2007.
This song is themed around a woman’s feelings of love and is set at Echigo-Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen.
To commemorate the release, a station bento called “Rindō Kamameshi,” produced by Shin Koda, was also launched by the local boxed-lunch vendor Kawatakeken.
Okesa StraitUesugi Kaori
Kaori Uesugi’s song “Okesa Kaikyō” is about a woman who keeps waiting for someone dear to her.
Released in 2008, it exquisitely weaves together Sado’s scenery with the woman’s aching emotions.
Its evocative melody and Uesugi’s crystal-clear voice resonate deeply.
Guiding listeners back to their memories, this piece lets anyone—not just those familiar with Niigata—feel the beauty of Japan.
If you’re in the mood for nostalgia or can’t forget a past love, please give it a listen.
Song of Mr. Lerchshupūru ongakutai
“Reruhi-san” is a yuru-chara (mascot character) modeled after Major Theodor von Lerch, an Austrian military officer who introduced skiing to Takada City.
The “Spur Music Band” is a group formed to sing this song, consisting of elementary school students in Niigata City who attend Yamaha Music School.
The Four Seasons of TakadaDuke Aces
It is said that the song began around 1945, when Mr.
Taro Machida, a teacher at what is now Takada High School (then the prefectural Takada Middle School), created it for students who were in a state of lethargy right after the war.
After the Duke Aces sang it, it gradually came to be popularly loved and widely sung.
hometownMy Hair is Bad
This song, packed with hometown love for Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture, is one of the tracks included on the album “boys,” released in June 2019.
By mentioning former friends and the shops they used to visit by name, the lyrics move back and forth between past and present, stirring up the hometown scenes in the listener’s heart.
The part where Shiiki packs in words almost like a rap is striking, and the style feels fresh—rather than following a melody, it speaks to you on the rhythm.
Cherished by fans as a song that conveys the band’s roots, this is a deeply beloved track.
The vocal range itself isn’t wide, but there are lots of words, so the trick is to lock into the rhythm when you sing it.
Give it a listen on a night when you suddenly find yourself thinking of your distant hometown or old friends.
A classic song that sings of Niigata: The enduring heart of our hometown (21–30)
My Lonesome TownMatsutōya Yumi
Released on June 21, 1982.
It is said to describe a scene witnessed on an off-day during a concert tour held in the cold winter months.
The lyrics mention “Nakhodka,” which is the name of a Russian city on the Sea of Japan.
It’s a song about a cold, clear day when you could see that far.