[Okayama Songs] A roundup of local anthems and classic hits brimming with hometown pride!

Shimotsui / Otaki / Madakana BridgeNakamura Mitsuko

Shimotsui, Otaki, Madakana Bridge — Mitsuko Nakamura — Local Song Okayama, Volume 1

This is a local song of Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture, sung by enka singer Mitsuko Nakamura, who is especially popular in the Kansai region and has appeared many times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Incidentally, the Madokana Bridge is said to have been a place where courtesans lured the skippers of Kitamaebune ships; the bridge itself no longer remains, and a stone monument now stands in its place.

Woman of KurashikiKasuga Hachirō

Kurashiki Woman — Hachiro Kasuga — Local Song Okayama, Vol. 10

Kurashiki City is a major city boasting the second-largest population in Okayama Prefecture, and a variety of local songs have been created there.

This song is one of them, expressing lingering feelings for a woman the singer met in Kurashiki.

Note that the character in the title for “woman” (女) is read as hito.

Kurashiki Bluesmiyuki & OG3

Kurashiki Blues - Miyuki & OG3 - Local Song Okayama, Vol. 8

This is a song whose lyrics weave in place names from Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture.

Set against the backdrop of neon-lit streets, it portrays the relationship between a man and a woman.

The lyrics can be interpreted as leading to their eventual breakup.

Kurashiki often seems to be chosen as the theme for this kind of mellow, sentimental song.

Chicago PoodleTwinkle Little Stars ~ Hoshi ga Furu Machi ~

Chicago Poodle "Twinkle Little Stars ~The Town Where Stars Fall~"

This is a song included on the major second single “Natsumero” by the three-piece band Chicago Poodle, which is mainly active in the Kansai region, and it is themed around Bisei Town in Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture.

Bisei Town is the first municipality in Japan to enact a light pollution prevention ordinance.

Shijō YoshiiItsuki Hiroshi

Shijō Yoshii - Hiroshi Itsuki - Local Song Okayama No. 18 - With Lyrics

The Yoshii River is counted as one of the three major rivers of Okayama Prefecture and flows through the eastern part of the prefecture.

Not only the river itself but also the charms of the Yoshii area along its basin are celebrated in song.

Incidentally, the Yoshii River is home to a fish called the Ayumodoki (Parabotia curtus), which is an endemic species.

Takaha-shi LongingYumiko Inoue

Takahashi Longing – Yumiko Inoue – Local Song Okayama, Vol. 9

Takahashi City in Okayama Prefecture is known for Bitchu Matsuyama Castle, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

After singing this song, Yumiko Inoue was appointed a “Bitchu Takahashi Tsutaetaishi” (Ambassador to Promote Bitchu Takahashi) in 2013 and has been working to showcase the city’s appeal.

Bridge of DreamsIkeda Shuuichi

Shanks – Bridge of Dreams

This is one of the “ONE PIECE Japan Longitudinal! 47 Cruise CDs,” created to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the ONE PIECE TV anime, and the Okayama Prefecture version is handled by Shuuichi Ikeda, who plays Red-Haired Shanks.

Its hallmark is that it weaves in famous sights and specialty products of Okayama.