Popular Okinawan Songs Ranking [2026]

Seibumon-bushiChimei Sadao & Miyazato Yasuko81rank/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.

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.

Ase-mizu FestivalOshiro Misako84rank/position

Okinawan folk song “Ashimizu-bushi (Asimizu-bushi)” by Misako Oshiro

With its very rhythmic melody, it has been loved by many and continues to be sung today as a didactic song.

Reflecting a time of poverty, it conveys the greatness of work, the importance of providing children with an education, and the significance of working for the benefit of others.

Festival of Celebrationotome tsubaki85rank/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.

Ocean OKINAWAkiiyama shouten86rank/position

KIiyama Shoten “Ocean OKINAWA” PV

This song stands out for its tropical, upbeat sound and comical lyrics.

It’s a track by the band Kiiyama Shoten and also the title track of their seventh album, released in 2018.

It gained attention when it was featured in a commercial for the airline Peach Aviation.

The lively vibe really gets your heart pumping.

All of their songs come highly recommended!

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Araki Jakkan

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Hiyamikachi-bushiNoborikawa Seijin87rank/position

Hiyamikachi-bushi — Seijin Noborikawa

“Hiyamikachi” means something like “Alright, let’s fire ourselves up!” It’s a song filled with the desire to rally Okinawa and its people, who were devastated by the Battle of Okinawa.

Today it’s known as a leading example of fast-picked Okinawan folk songs, but it originally had a slow tempo.

During the folk music boom, it seems to have gotten faster and faster.

It’s fun to sing and fun to listen to, making it one of the songs that many beginners on the sanshin aspire to play.

Rain falls while the sun is shining.Cocco88rank/position

Cocco – Sun Shining While Rain Falls [Video Clip Short]

This is a song by Cocco, a singer-songwriter from Naha City, Okinawa.

Songs like “Tsuyoku Hakanai Monotachi” and “Jukai no Ito” are memorable for their clear, translucent vocals and profound lyrics.

This track likewise features lyrics brimming with strong emotion, and the recurring phrase “Haiyaiyo” really leaves an impression.

Bye-bye, OkinawaNēnēzu89rank/position

Bye-bye, Okinawa — Nenes

This is a signature song by an Okinawan music group formed in 1990.

Nenes, captivating with their harmonized vocals and dressed in historical Okinawan attire—kimono in a bingata style—blend modern lyrics with Okinawan music beautifully, making it a joy to listen to!

Asadoya Yunta90rank/position

Sanshin: Sayu-Yui-Yui ♪ Okinawa’s representative folk song ♪ “Asadoya Yunta”

Among the many Okinawan folk songs, one that has long been beloved on Taketomi Island in the Yaeyama Islands, including Ishigaki Island, is Asadoya Yunta.

“Asadoya” is pronounced “Asado,” and “yunta” refers to a call-and-response work song sung alternately by men and women.

Since yunta itself is a folk style unique to the Yaeyama Islands, this piece is a song that lets you deeply savor the music of that region within Okinawa.

If there are participants from the Yaeyama Islands at an Eisa performance, we’d love to play this song and get everyone excited together!

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Yuuki

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