Popular Okinawan Songs Ranking [2026]

Tinsagu FlowersNatsukawa Rimi78rank/position

Tinsagu Flowers

This is a famous song covered by Rimi Natsukawa, originally a traditional didactic song from Okinawa.

It sings about cherishing and engraving in one’s heart the words received from one’s parents, overlaying that sentiment with the image of dyeing one’s nails with balsam flower petals.

Rimi Natsukawa’s crystal-clear, endlessly pure voice and the simple tones of the sanshin cleanse the heart—this is a tender, deeply moving piece filled with compassion.

The song was included on the album “Okinawa Uta ~Feeling the Ryukyu Breeze~,” released in November 2009, and was also selected as a beloved song of the people of Okinawa Prefecture.

It’s said to be familiar as the station melody for the Yui Rail as well.

The love and wisdom passed down across generations warms the heart before you know it.

Seibumon-bushiChimei Sadao & Miyazato Yasuko79rank/position

Seibumon-bushi Nishingyo — Sadanao China, Yasuko Miyazato

Seibumon refers to the entrance to the Tsuji district, where a red-light quarter once existed.

In the Tsuji area, prostitution and social gatherings took place, and at that time human trafficking also occurred, with children from poor rural areas being sold there.

These girls were called “juri,” and they trained in the performing arts of song and sanshin, developing new songs and advancing their sanshin techniques.

The song Seibumun-bushi is about a Shuri official and a courtesan.

Akata Shuriden80rank/position

"Akata Sun Dunchi" by Rimi Natsukawa

This song is said to be a children’s tune that was sung during the Miroku-Umuke (Mīrukū Unkee) festival in Akata, Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa, a ceremony centered around the Ishikawa family since the Ryukyu Kingdom era.

Although it died out in the early Showa period, it began to be sung again in 1994.

It was also broadcast on NHK Educational TV as one of the children’s songs known nationwide, so some of you may have heard it.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Be Nankuru-kunBEGIN81rank/position

BEGIN / Be Nankuru-kun (Music Video)

BEGIN captivates with a warm yet powerful sound that only three musicians from Ishigaki Island, Okinawa could create.

This piece, which closes their first masterful album in seven years, Taiyo (The Sun), is a song that deeply evokes the spirit of the island songs at their roots.

The Okinawan phrase “nankuru nai sa,” which carries the profound meaning, “If you keep doing the right thing without losing heart, a good day will come,” resonates gently through the melody.

Even as we are buffeted by the waves of life and bear the sorrow of losing what we hold dear, these lyrics softly encourage us to keep facing forward, warming the heart as they do.

When your heart feels a little tired, why not let yourself be wrapped in the kindness this song offers?

FamreutaShin Ara Yukito82rank/position

Yukito Aragusuku / Famureuta

This is the Okinawan lullaby “Famureuta.” It’s sung by Yukito Ara, a musician from Ishigaki Island, who is also well-known as the lead vocalist of the band Parsha Club.

His deep, resonant voice really touches the heart.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to leisurely at night.

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Araki Jakkan

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Kunigami JintōyōKadekaru Rinshō83rank/position

Rinsho Kadekaru Kunigami Jintoyo

This is a duet-style song between a man and a woman set in the nature-rich region of Yanbaru.

At the time, Kunigami was deep in the mountains, so life must have been difficult.

The song carries a message that no matter how harsh the environment or how poor the living conditions, everyone should help one another and cherish their mindset and appearance.

Festival of Celebrationotome tsubaki84rank/position

Okinawan folk song “Iwai-bushi” — Singer: Otome Tsubaki

This is a song by an unknown composer.

Since it does not appear among classical pieces, it is thought not to be that old.

Iwai-bushi has a melody similar to “Funakuya-bushi” (Funakuyabushi), a folk song from Yaeyama.

However, its content is the complete opposite: it frankly sings of people’s feelings—resentment and sorrow.

Perhaps, even while declaring it a joyful, celebratory song, it actually contains the people’s wish for this painful world to become a better place.