[Special Feature on the Yo-na-nuki Scale] Hit Songs and Classics That Evoke Nostalgia and a Sense of Wa (Japanese Aesthetics)

The “yo-na-nuki” scale evokes quintessential Japanese sentiment and harmony.

The yo-na-nuki scale is a five-note scale that omits the fourth and seventh degrees, and it spread during the Meiji era as a stepping stone to familiarize people with Western music.

Despite its long history, this scale actually appears in music close to us—from massive hits everyone knows to the latest J-pop! In this article, we’ll introduce famous songs that use the yo-na-nuki scale effectively.

That song that feels somehow nostalgic, the one that draws you into its wistful atmosphere… The secret might just lie in the scale!

Playlist

[Special Feature on the Yo-na-nuki Scale] Hit Songs and Classics That Evoke Nostalgia and a Sense of Wa (Japanese Aesthetics)
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Spring ThiefYorushika		Yorushika’s moving song of flowers and time
2	swallowYOASOBI		A hopeful song by YOASOBI × Midories
3	loveHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s “Koi” is a secret strategy using the yonanuki scale
4	cherry blossomKetsumeishi		A love song by Ketsumeishi for the season when cherry blossoms dance
5	Kitearashi		A moving song by Arashi, written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu
6	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece of loss and prayer
7	PerfumeEito		Features of Eito’s debut song “Kousui” (Perfume)
8	fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Yonezu Kenshi		A Japanese-style theme song depicting a summer scene
9	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		A spring song of meetings and partings, with a wistful melody
10	SenbonzakuraHowaitoFureimu feat. Hatsune Miku		Hatsune Miku’s “Senbonzakura” spreads across cultures
11	paprikaYonezu Kenshi		A self-cover of the song Kenshi Yonezu provided to Foorin
12	Make you happyNiziU		The Korea–Japan K-pop with the jump-rope dance that's trending
13	Island SongTHE BOOM		The distinctive scales and allure of Okinawan music
14	Words are triangular, hearts are square.kururi		A classic by Quruli with a gentle melody that resonates in the heart
15	laser beamPerfume		Perfume’s “Laser Beam” is a classic in the yo-nanuki (pentatonic) scale.
16	Ninjari Ban Bankyarī pamyu pamyu		Music characterized by a Japanese-style melody
17	Dancer in the NightSakanakushon		Sakanaction: A fusion of Japanese tradition and cutting-edge modernity
18	Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48		AKB48’s smash hit song gained popularity for its dance.
19	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		The yo-nanuki scale is a hallmark of nostalgic Japanese music.
20	Apply false eyelasheskyarī pamyu pamyu		Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's representative song using the yo-na-nuki scale
21	When cherry-blossom hues danceNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s classic spring ballad
22	Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako		Takako Matsu’s debut song, a piece that evokes spring scenery
23	monsterYOASOBI		Anime theme songs by YOASOBI
24	FlowPerfume		Perfume’s ethereal technopop
25	RaideenYellow Magic Orchestra		A classic song by Yellow Magic Orchestra
26	globeYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu to Produce the Theme Song for a Hayao Miyazaki Film
27	O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s signature song, passionately in a yonanuki (pentatonic) scale
28	a walk in the parkAmuro Namie		Signature songs produced by Tetsuya Komuro for Namie Amuro
29	Hate tell a lieKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala’s hit songs, produced by Tetsuya Komuro
30	keep yourself aliveKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala's debut song is a blend of Japanese and Western styles.
31	Soap bubbleNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s million-selling hit song. Expresses melancholy with a yo scale (pentatonic without fa and ti).
32	Racing into the NightYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s signature song: a fusion of speed and nostalgia
33	motion sickness from proximitywanuka		Wanuka, popular on social media, with distinctive music
34	SubaruTanimura Shinji		“Subaru,” the iconic masterpiece by Shinji Tanimura that symbolizes the Showa era
35	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		The song “Cotton Handkerchief” is a masterpiece—fresh and approachable.
36	Don’t Look Back In AngerOasis		The yo scale is a type of pentatonic scale.
37	smileikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari’s gentle pop song
38	Bacchi DancerDOES		DOES’s music is characterized by Japanese-style scales.
39	summer festivalWhiteberry		Expressing a summer festival in rock using the yo-na-nuki scale
40	Sweetest DevotionAdele		Adele “Sweetest Devotion” A powerful love song
41	Song of the Yoito-makeMiwA Akihiro		Miwa Akihiro’s soul-stirring masterpiece “Yoito Make”
42	Ballerina in Red ShoesMatsuda Seiko		Ballerina in red shoes, gentle lyrics and tones
43	When I Was Your ManBruno Mars		Bruno Mars’s masterful songs and the allure of the yo-nanuki (pentatonic) scale