From J-pop to folk songs! Popular and classic Okinawan tunes
For those of you looking for songs from Okinawa, this article introduces a wide variety of music related to the islands.
We’ve picked out everything from J-pop themed around Okinawa and Okinawan pops to traditional folk songs that have been passed down for generations.
Okinawan music is so captivating, isn’t it? From instruments like the sanshin and other traditional Japanese instruments to its distinctive vocal style—and that unmistakably Okinawan vibe!
Getting a bit musical here, but Okinawan music often uses a five-note scale known as the Ryukyu scale or the yo-nuki scale, built on the notes do–mi–fa–so–ti–do.
That very resonance of the Ryukyu scale is the secret behind the uniquely Okinawan atmosphere you feel in these songs!
Listen to the tracks we’re about to introduce and soak in the spirit of Okinawa.
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Okinawan Songs (21–30)
Hainumika-jiYagi Fumitomo
Yagih Fumitomo’s songs are crafted under the influence of Okinawan folk music, pop, and Black music, weaving in Uchinaaguchi (the Ryukyuan language).
Carried by tender yet wistful sounds like the warm winds of Okinawa, these pieces convey feelings for his hometown and family.
Stay with meIsland
A song by a band formed by the Shiroma brothers after the legendary rock band Murasaki disbanded.
It’s a legendary track that every Okinawan knows.
It was also used as the ending theme for the radio program All Night Nippon, becoming a huge hit not only in Okinawa but nationwide.
Deigoji ma ma
It’s a song about parents from Okinawa.
The deigo flower is a symbol of Okinawa.
Its blossoms are red, powerful, and fiery, yet they also have a gentle, embracing quality.
The lyrics liken that to a parent.
It’s a song that brings back nostalgic memories—of the past, of childhood—whenever you see the deigo.
Kariyushi Windkariyushi 58
The band name “Kariyushi” is said to mean “auspicious” in the Okinawan language, and it’s also a word used to pray for safe voyages.
The song, themed around this word that serves as a kind of talisman for the people of Okinawa, was created by vocalist Shingo Maekawa with the desire to write a song everyone can sing together, like “Shima Uta.” Along with a melody that fully conveys an Okinawan atmosphere, the song’s uplifting, encouraging lyrics make it especially appealing.
National Route 508BEGIN
Speaking of Okinawan musicians, one you must not forget is BEGIN.
Their love for Okinawa is tremendous; they’re a band that has spread Okinawan music and the brilliance of its culture throughout Japan.
And this song, “National Route 508,” was released exclusively in Okinawa.
It makes heavy use of the Okinawan dialect, so while the words may sound unfamiliar to most listeners, they’re likely nostalgic for the band.
That contrast makes the song fascinating, conveying the deep charm of Okinawa.
BirdsongCocco
It’s a famous song sung by Cocco.
It was created as a requiem.
In the chorus, she includes the phrase “Take it slow” in Uchinaaguchi, singing as if gently speaking to the listener.
It’s a song filled with Cocco’s delicate side and her kind heart.
electrically illuminated chrysanthemumskariyushi 58
“Densho-giku,” chrysanthemums cultivated in Okinawa, are the subject of a song by Kariyushi 58.
This technique, which illuminates the flowers at night to adjust their blooming season, has become a popular part of Okinawa’s beautiful nightscape.
The melodic hardcore number that sings of these night-illuminated chrysanthemums is a heartfelt song: simple yet powerful music carrying a gentle message.