[2026] Classic songs and love songs themed around or set at the sea and the beach — sea songs

Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri

Tsugaru Strait Winter Scene / Sayuri Ishikawa (fingerstyle cover)

There are countless dramatic enka songs about the sea, but none more famous than this one.

I think it’s a classic every Japanese person has heard at least once.

Set against the winter Tsugaru Strait, it gives voice to a woman’s sorrowful heart.

Sayuri Ishikawa’s vibrato-rich singing is full of emotion.

It’s a masterpiece that conveys the spirit of Japan and the history of the Showa era.

Memories of Kujukuri BeachMi-Ke

Mi-Ke ● Memories of Kujukuri Beach

It was released in 1991 as Mi-Ke’s debut single.

Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Nurse Station,” it won the Best New Artist Award in the Pops/Rock category at the 33rd Japan Record Awards.

The lyrics read like a story set on the shores of Kujukuri Beach, recalling the time of a breakup.

Its distinctive dance was also very popular at the time.

Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu

Omoide no Nagisa (Memories of the Beach) / The Wild Ones (1966)

Although they once disbanded, the Group Sounds band The Wild Ones reunited in 1981 and remain actively performing today.

Their first single, “Omoide no Nagisa,” was a major hit that became a million seller despite being their major-label debut.

The delicate tone of the 12-string acoustic guitar and the rich, layered chorus perfectly complement the sentimental lyrics that look back on memories by the summer sea.

Covered by many musicians thereafter, it’s a pop tune loved across generations.

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Hoshino Takashi

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You’re 1000%1986OMEGATRIBE

1986 OMEGA TRIBE – Kimi ha 1000％ [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Omega Tribe is a music project produced by Koichi Fujita.

Even as the vocalist changed—from Kiyotaka Sugiyama to Carlos Toshiki to Masato Arai—the group left a trail of hits that defined their times.

This song, “Kimi wa 1000%,” released in 1986, is from the era when Carlos Toshiki was on vocals.

With Brazilian roots, Carlos’s clear, crystalline voice is the very pinnacle of purity; you could even say the song’s charm might not have reached listeners the same way without Toshiki’s voice.

The lyrics, themed around “you at 1000%, beyond 100%,” also conjure a refreshing summer vibe.

If you haven’t heard it yet, please do!

Dynamic RyukyuMINAMI NiNE

MINAMI NiNE – Dynamic Ryukyu (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

It has a tropical island vibe, but the sense of speed is incredible! It’s a song by MINAMI NiNE, a three-piece band from Miyazaki Prefecture.

It’s included on their 2019 EP, IMAGINE.

The original song is by musician Akira Ikuma, and it became widely known nationwide as a baseball cheer song.

Compared to the original, this version leans more toward rock.

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Araki Jakkan

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