RAG Music
Lovely music

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.

Okinawan Songs / Okinawa Songs (51–60)

No Woman, No CryDaitōjin

This is a cover of Bob Marley’s classic “No Woman, No Cry” in Uchināguchi (Okinawan).

The lyrics are completely different from the original and the song has been arranged as an Okinawan piece, which was extremely striking.

It is performed by three princesses from the Daitō Islands.

Report a problem

Tinsagu FlowersNatsukawa Rimi

This is a famous song covered by Rimi Natsukawa, originally a traditional didactic song from Okinawa.

It sings about cherishing and engraving in one’s heart the words received from one’s parents, overlaying that sentiment with the image of dyeing one’s nails with balsam flower petals.

Rimi Natsukawa’s crystal-clear, endlessly pure voice and the simple tones of the sanshin cleanse the heart—this is a tender, deeply moving piece filled with compassion.

The song was included on the album “Okinawa Uta ~Feeling the Ryukyu Breeze~,” released in November 2009, and was also selected as a beloved song of the people of Okinawa Prefecture.

It’s said to be familiar as the station melody for the Yui Rail as well.

The love and wisdom passed down across generations warms the heart before you know it.

Report a problem

grandmaShimaji Isamu

This is a song themed around “Grandmother” by Isamu Shimoji, a singer-songwriter from Miyakojima City in Okinawa Prefecture.

A distinctive feature of his work—reflecting his Miyakojima roots—is that he sings in Miyako, the local dialect, known as “Miyako-guchi” and pronounced locally as “Myākufutsu.” The lyrics can be difficult to grasp without a parallel translation, but his unique vocal delivery conveys a sense of the culture and atmosphere that transcends language.

Murakami Shinpei
Report a problem

The Konohana of KunibunBEGIN

Set to the gentle tones of the sanshin, this is a famous song by BEGIN that sings of deep love for someone dear.

The lyrics, which overlay the image of a white flower blooming in a hometown garden with the irreplaceable figure of a mother and offer a prayer, are truly moving.

The straightforward feelings expressed in the Yaeyama dialect gently warm the listener’s heart.

This track is included on the classic album “BEGIN no Shimauta ~ Omoto Takeo 2,” released in July 2002, about 12 years after their debut.

When you’re away from home working hard, there are times you may feel lonely.

On nights like that, this song will quietly stay by your side.

Thinking of your beloved family, why not let it give you the courage to face forward and start walking again tomorrow?

Report a problem

Okinawan Songs / Okinawa Songs (61–70)

Kankara Sanshin UmushirumunBEGIN

Just hearing the cheerful sound of the sanshin makes your heart start to dance.

In the lyrics, the three strings are likened to a family—the father, the mother, and the children—humorously singing about them blending together in harmony.

You can almost feel the excitement of waiting for Okinawa’s summer Eisa festivals and even hear the sounds of a laid-back life; simply listening brings a smile to your face.

This piece is included on the classic album “Begin no Shimauta – Omoto Takeo 2,” released in July 2002, alongside songs like “Shimanchu nu Takara.” It’s perfect not only for lifting the spirits of the whole family, but also as an enjoyable first step for anyone who wants to start playing the sanshin.

Report a problem

Me for youBEGIN

This song, brimming with BEGIN’s warmth, conveys a heartfelt “thank you” to someone embarking on a new journey.

Titled in the Yaeyama dialect, it rides on the gentle tones of the sanshin, delivering gratitude and cheers for the future that resonate directly with the heart.

Concrete imagery—like the road to the airport—captures the bittersweetness of parting while also portraying the bright, celebratory feeling of a send-off.

Released as a single in February 2007, the track movingly colored the story as the theme song for the film “Koishikute.” It is also included on the album “OKINAWAN FULL ORCHESTRA.” Perfect for moments of farewell—such as graduations or job transfers—it expresses feelings that are hard to put into words.

An ideal song for sharing warmth at just the right moment.

Report a problem

Beautiful in the past, beautiful nowBEGIN

A heartwarming island song by BEGIN, filled with the soothing tones of the sanshin that seep into your soul.

The lyrics lovingly depict the everyday lives of our grandparents’ era and the island’s abundant nature, stirring a deep sense of nostalgia in listeners.

Carried by a gentle melody, the message to cherish both the timeless beauty of the past and the beauty that exists here and now comes through clearly.

First included on the album “Ongaku Brigades II,” released in June 1997, the song was later featured on “BEGIN no Shimauta ~Omoto Takeo~.” It’s perfect for those moments when, living far from home, you suddenly find yourself longing for the old days.

When you seek peace of mind amid a busy life, why not lend an ear to these tender tones?

Report a problem
Read morechevron_right
Okinawa Sunshine DayBEGIN