[Japanese School Anthems] A Hot Topic at Koshien! From Beautiful Anthems to Unique Ones, All Introduced at Once

Chiben Wakayama High School Song

[Championship] Chiben Wakayama High School School Song (2025, 107th Tournament)

Many of you have likely heard that solemn melody that symbolizes victory at Koshien.

It’s the school song of Chiben Wakayama High School, established in February 1982.

The lyrics were written by the principal at the time, and the music was composed by Yasuo Sueyoshi, renowned in the field of contemporary music.

Paying homage to the land’s history and nature, and to the school’s founding spirit of pursuing truth, the song is carried by a powerful melody.

When sung in unison with friends, it stirs a heartfelt elation, sharing pride and glory for the future.

It’s a masterpiece that conveys the radiant spirit of earnest youth and a strong will to strive toward one’s goals.

Seirei Christopher High School Song

[Championship] Seirei Christopher High School School Song “Hymn No. 393” (2025, 107th Tournament)

A solemn melody that resounded through the Alps stands at Koshien became a hot topic.

The original song for Seirei Christopher High School’s alma mater—cherished since the school’s founding—is, remarkably, a Protestant hymn.

The lyrics’ message of caring for others and striving together toward the light is deeply connected to the school’s ethos of “love your neighbor as yourself.” Its performance at the 2025 Summer Koshien made its sacred, beautiful sound known throughout the country.

Suwa Seiryo High School Song

Suwa Seiryo High School Anthem No. 1: “High in the East”

Famous as the longest school anthem in Japan, this work has been sung for generations at Suwa Seiryo High School in Nagano Prefecture.

Adopted as the school song in 1903, it is a grand two-part composition: the first half nobly celebrates the region’s beautiful nature, such as the Yatsugatake Mountains and Lake Suwa, while the second half elevates the lofty aspirations of youth.

You can almost picture friends raising their voices together to the beat of handclaps and taiko drums.

If you’d like to experience a sweeping epic intertwined with memories of youth, be sure to listen closely at least once.

Toyohashi Chuo High School Anthem

[Championship] Toyohashi Chuo High School School Song (2025, 107th Tournament)

This is a captivating song with a refreshing folk-rock vibe that overturns the conventional image of a school anthem.

Adopted in 1997 as the school song of Toyohashi Chuo High School, it opens with the natural scenery of the hometown and unfolds into a universal message that likens youthful struggles and hopes to a journey beneath the stars—one that resonates deeply with listeners.

It also played when the school made its first appearance at the National High School Baseball Championship in the summer of 2025, and its catchy phrases that unite the cheering section became a major topic on social media.

With an emotional melody that vividly brings back the days of youth sung in unison with friends, it’s a school song that leaves a lasting impression.

Uemiya High School Song

School Song of Uemiyā High School

Uemiyā High School, established in Osaka City in 1890 with the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land) sect as its foundation, became coeducational in 2011 after having been a boys’ school.

The lyrics of the school song use words spoken by the school’s founder, Honen Shonin, about the Buddha’s compassion, and the song is titled “Tsukikage” (“Moonlight”).

It has also drawn attention as a school song with one of the shortest sets of lyrics.

Shigakukan High School Song

Dream Chaser, Shigakkan High School School Song

This is the school song of Shigakukan High School in Aichi Prefecture.

It’s a school with nationwide name recognition that competes at Koshien in high school baseball.

The school song, titled “Yume-Oibito” (Dream Chaser), feels refreshingly unlike a typical school anthem, in a good way that seems to reflect the times.

It’s the kind of song everyone wants to sing, and one that becomes a cheer song for anyone.

With a school song like that, you naturally want to sing it enthusiastically at school events.

Sanuki Kita Elementary School Song

Sanuki Kita Elementary School Song

In April 2014, three schools—Chuo Elementary School, Kamobe Elementary School, and Oda Elementary School—were merged to form Sanuki Kita Elementary School.

The lyrics and music were written by Keisuke Shirakawa, resulting in lyrics that are easy to understand yet rich with meaning.

There is also a two-part choral arrangement, making it a compelling piece as a choral work.