RAG MusicJapanese Songs
Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

A classic song that sings of Shiga. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.

Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan.

It has a long north–south shape, and the climate differs greatly between the north and south.

Even east and west across Lake Biwa have their own distinct local character and culture.

In this article, we introduce a number of songs themed around Shiga, a prefecture with such a rich variety of expressions.

If you’re a resident or live nearby, it might stir a sense of nostalgia.

Take this opportunity to rediscover the charms of Shiga Prefecture.

Also keep an eye on works related to Mount Hiei, which are second only to those about Lake Biwa in number.

Playlist

A classic song that sings of Shiga. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastSong of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaKatō Tokiko
Song of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaKatō Tokikoplay_arrow
The boat club’s dormitory song depicting the scenery of Lake Biwa
2eastLake Biwa YearningMita Yoshiko
Lake Biwa YearningMita Yoshikoplay_arrow
Expressing a woman's sorrow through Biwako Bojo
3eastTag and hopscotchHikone Jidō Gasshōdan
Tag and hopscotchHikone Jidō Gasshōdanplay_arrow
Heiwado’s image song is getting attention.
4eastLament of Lake BiwaYamamoto Aki
Lament of Lake BiwaYamamoto Akiplay_arrow
A cover of a memorial piece depicting the scenery of Lake Biwa
5eastGirl of Lake BiwaAida Kenji
Girl of Lake BiwaAida Kenjiplay_arrow
Recalling memories of heartbreak at Lake Biwa
6eastYacchikure OndoShiga Kuni Tenju Shishō
Yacchikure OndoShiga Kuni Tenju Shishōplay_arrow
A local folk song sung at the summer evening festival in Shigaraki Town
7eastAwami-bushiShitaya Fumiko
Awami-bushiShitaya Fumikoplay_arrow
Origin and Characteristics of the Shiga Prefecture Folk Song “Oumi-bushi”
8eastFrom Lake Biwa for the EarthU★TIME BAND
From Lake Biwa for the EarthU★TIME BANDplay_arrow
Environmental Awareness in Shiga Prefecture and Mr. Biwako
9eastLake Biwa, Glasses, and YouMōmō Rurugyaban
Lake Biwa, Glasses, and YouMōmō Rurugyabanplay_arrow
MowMow LuLu Gyaban’s Lake Biwa Song
10eastBiwako Ohashi OndoKaneda Tatsue
Biwako Ohashi OndoKaneda Tatsueplay_arrow
A folk song themed on the Biwako Ohashi (Lake Biwa Bridge)
11eastSound connects, the bonds of the citysensha P
Sound connects, the bonds of the citysensha Pplay_arrow
A work that fuses Toyosato Town’s history with contemporary music
12eastLullaby of ŌmiTakaishi Tomoya & Za Natāshā Sebun
Lullaby of ŌmiTakaishi Tomoya & Za Natāshā Sebunplay_arrow
A lullaby that brings back memories of my hometown
13eastLady of Lake BiwaMiura Hiroshi to Hanī Shikkusu
Lady of Lake BiwaMiura Hiroshi to Hanī Shikkusuplay_arrow
Unrequited love and feelings of regret for the lady of Lake Biwa
14eastNagahama SongYUKA
Nagahama SongYUKAplay_arrow
Introduction to Nagahama City’s image song
15eastNagahama Spring and AutumnMiyazawa Yasumi ando Za Battsu
Nagahama Spring and AutumnMiyazawa Yasumi ando Za Battsuplay_arrow
Kannon Pilgrimage in Nagahama and the Buddhist Statue Band
16eastGyutto-chan Theme SongHasuka
Gyutto-chan Theme SongHasukaplay_arrow
A mascot character promoting Omi beef
17eastThis is the hometown village of Shiga.Taniguchi Hitomi
This is the hometown village of Shiga.Taniguchi Hitomiplay_arrow
Hitomi Taniguchi sang about her hometown love for Shiga.
18eastchildbirthShimazu Aya
childbirthShimazu Ayaplay_arrow
The Affair and Execution of Osan and Mohei
19eastHiei OroshiKomuro Hitoshi
Hiei OroshiKomuro Hitoshiplay_arrow
Charming Folk Songs of Kyoto and Shiga
20eastGōshū OndoKamegai Chikako
Gōshū OndoKamegai Chikakoplay_arrow
Gōshū Ondo is a Bon dance folk song from Shiga Prefecture.
21eastHikone BayashiNakasawa Ginji, Otsuka Miharu
Hikone BayashiNakasawa Ginji, Otsuka Miharuplay_arrow
A dance song praising Hikone Castle and Ii Naosuke.
22eastHikonyan Ondohikon yan
Hikonyan Ondohikon yanplay_arrow
A friendly bon dance song themed around Hikonyan
23eastBiwako OndoMurata Hideo, Komatsu Midori
Biwako OndoMurata Hideo, Komatsu Midoriplay_arrow
An enka-ondo celebrating the four seasons of Lake Biwa
24eastChutaro of BambaHikawa Kiyoshi
Chutaro of BambaHikawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
Kiyoshi Hikawa sings about Chūtarō searching for his mother
25eastNagahama, where I want to fall in loveNagahama Bijinesu Sapōto Kyōgikai Seinenbu
Nagahama, where I want to fall in loveNagahama Bijinesu Sapōto Kyōgikai Seinenbuplay_arrow
A unique PR song packed with the charms of Nagahama
26eastShiga Prefecture Residents’ SongOkamoto Atsuo, Nara Mitsue
Shiga Prefecture Residents' SongOkamoto Atsuo, Nara Mitsue
A prefectural anthem praising the beauty of Lake Biwa