A Nationwide Compilation of Timelessly Beloved Railway Songs
The nostalgic sound of the steam whistle and melodies that have been loved across time.
Songs related to railways—beginning with the Railway Songs—carry a warmly familiar charm.
They evoke memories encountered at stations and on trains, scenes of departures and homecomings, images that anyone can relate to.
So in this article, we’ll be compiling railway songs from all over Japan! We’ll feature a variety of works, from early pieces to modern ones.
These are the songs of the railway that are deeply etched in our hearts.
- [Train and Shinkansen Song] Popular with kids! Vehicle song
- A classic song about Nagano. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- [Local Songs] Recommended tracks packed with Japan’s nationwide classics and hometown pride
- Classic travel songs. Travel tunes that color your journeys—perfect for both the everyday and the extraordinary.
- A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances
- [Hometown Songs] A curated selection of popular Japanese tracks that fill your heart with nostalgia
- A roundup of regional enka songs: classic hits that feature places from all across Japan in their lyrics.
- [Elementary School Music] List of Popular and Nostalgic Songs That Have Appeared in Textbooks
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Today's recommended ballads: A carefully curated selection of heartwarming, gem-like masterpieces!
- [Song of Osaka] A selection of passionate, warm-hearted Osaka tunes
- A classic song about Kumamoto. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- [Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.
Railway Songs Loved Across the Ages: Nationwide Compilation (21–30)
Odakyu Pipo Trainsakushi sakkyoku: miki torirou/ uta: za piinattsu
This was a former commercial song for the Odakyu Romancecar.
The title “Pipo” was chosen to evoke the sound of the Romancecar’s horn.
The phrase “pipo” appears throughout the song, making it a catchy tune that sticks in your head after just one listen.
Railway Songs (Sanyō Main Line)Sakushi: Owada Kenki/Sakkyoku: Obachi/Uta: Bonii Jakkusu
This is a piece composed with themes of stations on the Sanyo Main Line as well as local specialties and scenery from various areas.
It used to be performed at events such as the full-line opening ceremony of the Sanyo Shinkansen, but in recent years it is scarcely performed.
Also, station names and the like have changed over time; incidentally, “Bakan” in number 30 refers to Shimonoseki Station.
Railway Song (Descent into Ōshū)Sakushi: Shigama Totsuji / Sakkyoku: Shigama Hitoji / Uta: Dāku Dakkusu
This is a song about the Tohoku Line, composed in 1900 (Meiji 33).
It has never been released on CD or other formats; only records still exist.
The lyricist, Totsuji Shikama, was a musician from Sendai who introduced the mandolin to Japan and later became a mandolin instructor.
Railway Song (Chuo Line)Sakushi: Owada Takeki/Sakkyoku: Oumeichi/Uta: Kido Burazāzu
This song was composed in 1911 (Meiji 44).
While other Railway Songs typically have around 60 verses and lengthy lyrics, the Chuo Line’s Railway Song has 28 verses and is relatively short.
This piece is a song for the Chuo Main Line section of the Chuo Line, describing the scenery and scenes visible from the stations on the way to Nagoya.
Keihan Limited ExpressSakushi sakkyoku: Miki Torirou / Henkyoku: Arashino Hidehiko / Uta: Kusunoki Toshie Hoā Koinzu
This is the theme song of the Keihan Limited Express operated by Keihan Electric Railway.
There are versions of the lyrics reflecting line extensions and station name changes.
Later, it was included in a collection album by songwriter-composer Toriro Miki, updated with the latest station names along the line.
I love you, Enoden.Sakushi: Satou Arihiro / Sakkyoku: Yamashita Takayuki / Uta: Hayakawa Akiko, Shimizu Ryouichi
This is the theme song of the Enoshima Electric Railway, composed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the line’s full opening.
It is also used as the departure and arrival melody at Enoden Kamakura and Fujisawa stations.
The lyricist, Arihiro Sato, is a well-established songwriter whose lyrics have been adopted for many works, including the ward song of Suginami, Tokyo.
The Northern LandSakushi: Yamagami Michio / Sakkyoku: Morita Koichi / Uta: Dāku Dakkusu
This is the corporate song of Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido).
The lyrics were selected through an internal public submission and then revised by Michio Yamagami.
When included on commercially available CDs, the company name in the lyrics is replaced with different wording, and the company name appears in the lyrics only when it is performed as a corporate anthem.