[Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
When you think of songs about Osaka, what tunes come to mind? While traditional local songs have become fewer, there are still many moving classics like Dreams Come True’s “Osaka LOVER” and Masaki Ueda’s “Kanashii Iro Yane.” From songs filled with the determination not to lose to Tokyo, to nostalgic hometown ballads, tracks that name-check local places, and even playful, humorous numbers—there’s a wide variety.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected “songs of Osaka” across a broad range of genres, from enka and kayōkyoku of the ’70s–’80s to recent J-pop.
We present masterpieces brimming with Osaka’s unique warmth and humanity, as well as passionate tales of love.
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[Osaka Songs] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes (71–80)
Naniwa Lucky Boy!!naniwa danshi
This is a song by Naniwa Danshi, a seven-member idol group that just debuted in 2021, featuring a refreshing opening and a lively beat.
They not only have musical talent but are also skilled dancers, and we can expect great strides from them going forward.
The group’s name even appears in the lyrics, making it a track they’re proudly promoting—one that feels like it could spark a new wave of Osaka culture.
All the members are cute boys.
It seems likely that it won’t be long before this becomes established as an anthem of Osaka.
Okonomiyaki Funky SoulSoul Powers
It makes you incredibly energized.
You can feel the punch.
Soul Powers is a female gospel group that was selected to perform the image song for Osaka Prefecture.
Their leader, Mama Hoshi, is a Naniwa mother figure who teaches gospel vocalization and conducts choirs.
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
Shogi is drawing even more attention thanks to the success of Sota Fujii.
“Osho” is an enka song themed around shogi, modeled on Sankichi Sakata, a player who was active mainly in Osaka.
It was the biggest hit by Murata Hideo, one of the leading singers of the postwar pop scene, released in 1961.
He performed it four times on the Kohaku Uta Gassen.
The song portrays the resolve of players who wage fierce battles at the cost of their very souls, and the unique feelings of a true gambler, imbued with a determination not to lose to Tokyo.
Its lyrics, written in short, simple words, evoke a timeless sense of empathy that resonates in any era.
It’s a classic through which you can feel the heat of Osaka, powered by Murata Hideo’s robust vocals.
Osaka Expokururi
Formed in Kyoto and debuting in 1998, Quruli has been embraced by rock fans across Japan for their delicate yet down-to-earth, literary lyrics and the high quality of their guitar-driven sound.
In this track, bluntly titled “Osaka Expo,” they kick off with sampled news clips and a sound collage from the time, unleashing their love for the Osaka Expo through a freaky, jazz-inflected approach.
Compared to their usual songs, it’s a decidedly experimental and ambitious work.
Osaka Bitter-SweetRikuo
Rikuo sings with a mellow vibe while playing the piano.
It’s the kind of tune that would suit the moments before dawn or a sunrise.
He says he used to listen to songs set in the city when he was younger, and that influence shows now.
It somehow reminds me of “Kanashii Iro Yane,” so it’s a track I want to listen to closely.