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 / Okinawa Songs (51–60)
Pink WindROACH
ROACH, a loud rock band representing Okinawa.
This song expresses the feeling of being dyed by the pink-hued breeze of someone you love, and now wanting to dye them pink in return.
While the track itself is loud rock, its melody line evokes the flavor of Okinawan folk music.
WOO－TOO－TOO－WALTZ
This is a song that comically celebrates the Okinawan people’s reverence for their ancestors.
The music created by the leader, Rolly, gradually gained strong, widespread support.
Their American pop and hard rock, which set Uchinaaguchi lyrics to R&B rhythms, are expanding their following in the city of Koza, where the old atmosphere still lingers.
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.
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?
Okinawan Songs / Okinawa Songs (61–70)
Okinawa Sunshine DayBEGIN
It’s an irresistibly cheerful summer tune that conjures up piercing blue skies and a pleasant sea breeze.
The buoyant rhythm that fuses ska and reggae naturally gets your body moving just by listening.
The track was inspired by guitarist Masaru Shimabukuro—who wrote both lyrics and music—after seeing his friends having a great time back in his hometown.
The lyrics convey the liberating feeling of driving under a cloudless sky and the positive vibe of surrendering to island rhythms and forgetting your worries.
Featured on Taiyo, the band’s first album in seven years set for release in July 2025, the song captures the warm, live energy of being recorded in one take on Ishigaki Island.
Perfect for summer drives, it also makes the ideal BGM whenever you want a quick mood refresh.
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.
Basho-fu (traditional Okinawan banana-fiber cloth)Ishimine Satoko
This is a representative folk song of Okinawa.
Satoko Ishimine, who became famous for “Hana,” has a beautifully clear, resonant voice that is incredibly soothing.
The lyrics capture the scenery of Okinawa, making it a song that truly embodies the region.
It doesn’t use much dialect either, so it’s easy to listen to even for people from outside the prefecture.