[Okayama Songs] A roundup of local anthems and classic hits brimming with hometown pride!
When people think of Okayama, many might picture its mild climate—earning it the nickname the Land of Sunshine—or its famous specialties like white peaches and Muscat grapes.
However, when it comes to songs that celebrate this charming region, some may be surprised to find they don’t know many.
In fact, there are plenty of wonderful pieces themed around Okayama, filled with love for the region and depictions of its landscapes and everyday life.
In this article, we’ve gathered songs that sing of Okayama.
Whether you have ties to Okayama or have yet to visit, we hope you’ll experience the appeal of this place through music.
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[Songs of Okayama] A Showcase of Local Anthems and Beloved Classics Brimming with Hometown Pride! (11–20)
Chilly Spring InnMizumori Kaori
This is an enka song performed by Kaori Mizumori, known as the Queen of Local Songs, set in the Mimasaka region of Okayama Prefecture.
The lyrics weave in proper place names such as Okayama, Mimasaka, and the Yoshino River, overlaying the scenery of Yunogo Onsen with the emotions of parting.
Titled with the seasonal word hanabie, which refers to a chill in the air during spring, the lyrics strikingly contrast the warmth of the hot springs with the coldness of lingering attachment.
It was released in October 2011 as a track on the album Kayō Kikō X: Shōnai Heiya Kaze no Naka.
It’s a recommended song for those who want to feel the landscapes of Okayama and the atmosphere of its hot spring towns, or who wish to dwell on a bittersweet tale of farewell.
News from BizenNonaka Saori
This is the city song created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Bizen City’s merger in Okayama Prefecture.
It was released in October 2024.
The lyrics weave in three colors—red representing the flames of Bizen ware, blue representing the Seto Inland Sea, and green representing the satoyama woodlands—vividly portraying the region’s nature and industries.
Blending the emotional depth of enka with a familiar, hymn-like melody, it’s a piece that anyone can hum along to.
Saori Nonaka’s clear, expansive vocals warmly sing of Bizen’s landscapes—the Seto sea, silhouetted islands, and stands of trees.
The song has become beloved as a locally rooted piece, sung in unison by all participants at city ceremonies.
Saidaiji BluesSegawa Eiko
This is a song about Saidaiji, a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect located in Higashi Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture.
The song also includes references to the Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival), known as Saidai-ji Eyo, which is held at Saidaiji every February.
This event is also called the “Naked Festival” and is known as one of Japan’s three great eccentric festivals.
OK! Okayamaangela
This is a local song packed to the brim with love for Okayama Prefecture, where the Momotaro legend was born.
It’s included on the album “Welcome!” released in October 2023.
As a collaboration with comedian Hanawa, it’s full of humor.
Highly recommended for those who want to listen to a track brimming with hometown pride.
Just listening might help you rediscover the charms of your hometown.
Donburako ~The Song of Okayama, the Town of Momotaro~40mP
This song became the theme song of Okayama City in 2013.
There’s also a version sung by actress Haruka Fukuhara, who appeared on NHK’s children’s cooking show “Cookin’ Idol Ai! Mai! Maim!” It’s a heartfelt track created by 40mP, a composer from Okayama, inspired by his hometown and the legend of Momotaro.
Song of Local Production for Local Consumption, OkayamaKanji Kai
A campaign song created to promote local production for local consumption! It features Okayama Prefecture’s specialty products—vegetables, fruits, seafood, and more—in abundance.
Since it’s sometimes played in supermarkets, many residents of Okayama have probably heard it.
[Okayama Songs] A roundup of local favorites and classic tunes brimming with hometown pride! (21–30)
Song of Okayama PrefectureOkayama-ken
This is the prefectural anthem established in 1957, the year the new government building—symbolizing postwar reconstruction—was completed.
It was presented at the Okayama Industrial and Cultural Exposition held shortly thereafter, and performed at major milestones such as the 2005 Hare-no-Kuni Okayama National Sports Festival, uniting the hearts of prefectural residents.
The lyrics, selected through a public contest, express hopes for peace and progress against the backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea’s gentle waters and the surrounding mountain ranges.
The composition was handled by Yasutaka Mizuno, then a professor at Okayama University, and its melody is both approachable and dignified.
The SP record released at the time also included a wind band arrangement, making it a valuable work that continues to convey the region’s history and pride.