![[Special Feature on the Yo-na-nuki Scale] Hit Songs and Classics That Evoke Nostalgia and a Sense of Wa (Japanese Aesthetics)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/mTMs1S5td74/maxresdefault.webp)
Songs that use the “yo-na-nuki” pentatonic scale, which evokes a distinctly Japanese mood and sense of harmony.
There are so many classic tunes like that all around us!
From massive hits everyone knows to timeless masterpieces passed down through generations.
The yo-na-nuki scale is a five-note scale that omits the 4th and 7th degrees.
It was advocated by Shūji Izawa, an educator from the Meiji era, and spread as a stepping stone to familiarize people with Western music.
It’s widely used in everything from children’s songs and enka to modern J-pop.
Many people probably find themselves soothed by that somewhat nostalgic, old-timey feeling it brings.
Here, we’ll carefully select and introduce famous songs that use the yo-na-nuki scale, including some newer tracks!
Let’s dive into the world of the yo-na-nuki scale!
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[Feature on the Yonanuki Scale] Hit Songs and Classics Using the Nostalgic, Japanese-evoking Yonanuki Scale (1–10)
Kitearashi
This is the 58th single by Arashi, a five-member idol group that has maintained strong popularity even after going on hiatus in 2020, with each member continuing to shine individually.
It’s the first song that singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu provided to Johnny’s, written specifically as the “NHK 2020 Song.” Carried by expansive, majestic strings, the piece features the evocative sound of the yo scale, which gives it a touch of nostalgia, and lyrics written entirely in Japanese that stir the heart.
It’s a grand, deeply moving song that gives you a powerful push forward when you feel like you’re about to falter.
loveHoshino Gen
Gen Hoshino’s hit song “Koi.” At first glance it sounds quite pop and might not strike you as a piece built on the yo-nuki scale that evokes a traditional Japanese atmosphere.
However, the melody—gently holding a calm, tender mood—is quintessentially yo-nuki.
It’s a subtle seasoning that reveals Hoshino’s seriousness as a composer, hinting at the brains behind the smile.
Thanks to this, the chorus leaves a powerful impact and a friendly catchiness that sticks in your ear.
Behind its massive success lay unmistakable craft and intuition.
Spring ThiefYorushika
A song by the male-female rock duo Yorushika, who made their major debut in 2019, and their fifth digital release.
Chosen as the theme song for Taisei Corporation’s commercial, it’s a track whose gentle melody—carried by acoustic guitar—lingers in the ear, with lyrics that liken flowers to life and the wind to time.
The melody built on the yo scale, which creates a distinctly Japanese resonance, gives the entire piece a soft atmosphere, and together with the bittersweet lyrics, results in a song with a unique sense of weightlessness.
You could say it’s a track that reaffirms the comfort of the yo scale—a sound that feels timeless even within modern music.
Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi
This is the 26th single by singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya, known not only for her own musical activities but also for providing songs to numerous artists.
The track has been featured in multiple commercials and has been widely covered by other musicians.
Although it was originally conceived with an ethnic flavor, it ultimately took its current form under the arrangement of Masataka Matsutoya.
While the idea of an ethnically tinged version is intriguing, the finished song pairs vividly descriptive lyrics with a Japanese feel created by the yonanuki (pentatonic) scale, making it a piece that beautifully colors Japan’s spring.
Its poignant melody, perfect for the season of meetings and partings, resonates deeply with the heart.
fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi
A song released under the dual billing of female singer DAOKO and singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu.
Chosen as the theme song for the film “Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?”, it’s a number whose lyrics evoke both the liberating feel of summer and a touch of melancholy, while the chorus’s Japanese-flavored melody—built on the yo scale—conjures vivid imagery.
The contrast between the A and B sections, set to piano and acoustic guitar using a standard scale, and the chorus that soars with a yo-scale melody leaves a strong impression on listeners.
It’s a track that reaffirms the high compatibility between traditional Japanese melodic sensibilities and contemporary music.
Racing into the NightYOASOBI
This is the first digital-only single by YOASOBI, a male-female duo that became indispensable when talking about the J-POP scene in 2020.
With a piano phrase that conveys both speed and tension, and a complex, VOCALOID-like melody that feels distinctly modern, this debut track has already become one of YOASOBI’s signature songs.
While the song presents a fresh, contemporary sound, its blend of the pentatonic “yonanuki” scale and the standard diatonic scale creates a unique sense of nostalgia—likely a key reason for its massive success.
The way the scale shifts in step with the lyrics’ storyline draws listeners deeper into the song’s world, so pay special attention to those scale changes as you listen.
SenbonzakuraHowaitoFureimu feat. Hatsune Miku
Starting with Hatsune Miku’s VOCALOID version, “Senbonzakura” has been covered and performed by many musicians.
In particular, Sachiko Kobayashi’s performance at the 2015 Kōhaku Uta Gassen likely left a strong impression.
Beyond that, the song has also been used in collaborations with traditional Japanese performing arts such as kabuki and rakugo, showcasing its success across boundaries.
A major factor, it seems, is that despite being an intense, up-tempo VOCALOID track, it employs the yonanuki (pentatonic) scale, aligning closely with Japanese musical culture.