Prefectural anthems you might not know well. Explore the lyrics and history of your hometown
You may have heard prefectural anthems at least once in your school music classes or at local events.Did you know that not every prefecture actually has one, and that some prefectures have even established multiple songs as their prefectural anthems?In this article, we’ll introduce all the prefectural anthems from around the country.The more you learn about these songs—filled with hometown scenery, history, and the pride of their residents—the deeper the world they reveal becomes.Be sure to check out the songs from your own hometown or any regions you’re curious about!
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Chugoku and Shikoku (1–10)
Song of Okayama PrefectureNEW!Okayama-ken
This is the prefectural anthem established in 1957, the year the new government building—symbolizing postwar reconstruction—was completed.
It was presented at the Okayama Industrial and Cultural Exposition held shortly thereafter, and performed at major milestones such as the 2005 Hare-no-Kuni Okayama National Sports Festival, uniting the hearts of prefectural residents.
The lyrics, selected through a public contest, express hopes for peace and progress against the backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea’s gentle waters and the surrounding mountain ranges.
The composition was handled by Yasutaka Mizuno, then a professor at Okayama University, and its melody is both approachable and dignified.
The SP record released at the time also included a wind band arrangement, making it a valuable work that continues to convey the region’s history and pride.
Pale purple mountain rangeNEW!Shimane-ken
This is the prefectural anthem that sings of Shimane’s majestic nature and hopes for recovery.
In 1951, to commemorate the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the lyrics were solicited from the public, Yuji Koseki composed the melody, and in 1952 it was established as the prefectural song.
The lyrics depict scenes of 900,000 people—the prefecture’s population at the time—unifying their hearts, and the beautiful landscape of mountain ranges tinted by the light of morning and evening.
Long beloved, the song regained attention in 2020 following the NHK morning drama series “Yell.”
Tokushima Prefecture Residents’ SongNEW!Tokushima-ken
Written by lyricist Masaharu Fuji and composed by Minoru Miki, this piece was established in 1971.
The lyrics feature uniquely Tokushima scenes such as the aroma of sudachi, the whirlpools of Naruto, Mount Tsurugi, and the Yoshino River, allowing listeners to fully feel the nature of the hometown.
Its flowing melody, well-suited to choral performance, carries a wish for a bright future.
Even today, it is carefully presented on the prefecture’s official website and has long been sung with pride by residents—one song packed with Tokushima’s history and culture.
Song of EhimeNEW!Ehime-ken
This song was established in 1973 to commemorate the significant milestone of the 100th anniversary of Ehime Prefecture’s administration.
The lyrics were selected through a public contest, and the composition was handled by Yoshinao Nakada, known for works such as “Natsu no Omoide” (Summer Memories).
The lyrics weave in the region’s charms, including the Seto Inland Sea, mountains, and the Iyo dialect, and the bright, singable melody is particularly memorable.
Records show that, at the time of its adoption, a sonosheet featuring performances by Chieko Baisho and the Boni Jacks was produced, reflecting a lavish production that went beyond a typical government commemorative project.
In recent years, performances by local choirs and the police band have been made public, and for more than half a century it has been cherished as an important song that connects Ehime’s landscapes and spirit.
Kagawa Prefectural Residents’ SongNEW!Kagawa-ken
Evoking the tranquil Seto Inland Sea and the mountains of Sanuki, this work is a historically significant song established in 1954.
The lyrics were written by Kusuichi Ogawa, selected from 128 public submissions, and the composition was by Hiroshi Taguchi, then a professor at Kagawa University.
Its harmonious portrayal of former salt field landscapes, beautiful nature, and the dignity of labor conveys a sense of local pride.
The single was released in 1954 by Nippon Mercury as the SP record “Kagawa Prefecture Official Song.” It was sung by Masami Nishimura, with a harmonica performance included on the B-side.
Though it had no flashy tie-ins, it remains an indispensable work in telling the region’s history.