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[Song of Shimane] Izumo, Matsue, Tsuwano... Exquisite masterpieces depicting Shimane
Warm-hearted people, beautiful scenery, and tales of the gods.
The songs born from Shimane’s climate overflow with feelings for one’s hometown and deep local pride.
In this article, we’ll share the charm of songs connected to Shimane, carried on the winds of the Sea of Japan.
“Songs about Shimane” range widely—from pieces that depict its landscapes, to heartbreak songs that intertwine famous sights with the feelings of love, to local tunes that convey every facet of Shimane’s appeal.
Please enjoy these gems of music, where nostalgia and freshness are woven together.
[Songs of Shimane] Izumo, Matsue, Tsuwano... Exquisite masterpieces depicting Shimane (1–10)
My beloved IzumoTakeuchi Mariya
Singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi is from Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture.
This song has been crafted into a pure and refreshing piece, reminiscent of a school anthem.
Even as she thrives away from Shimane, it’s a love-filled track that conveys her strong feelings for her hometown and her enduring connection to it.
scarecrowsadamasashi
A local song themed around Tsuwano Town in Shimane Prefecture, sung by Masashi Sada.
It’s a classic that captures the feelings of parents worrying about their child.
Hearing the lyrics that evoke Tsuwano’s tranquil scenery can put you in a nostalgic mood.
If you’ve visited, try listening while picturing the scenes of Tsuwano; if not, imagine the leisurely pace of life in the countryside as you listen.
filamentOfisharu Higedan Dism
This is a rousing song by Official HIGE DANDism, a piano-pop band formed at Shimane University.
Set to an expansive melody, it sings of people who single-mindedly keep running toward their goals and of the radiant bonds that connect them with their teammates.
This work is the first co-written piece by drummer Masaki Matsuura and vocalist Satoshi Fujihara.
Included on the acclaimed 2021 August release “Editorial,” it served as the theme song for the Izumo All-Japan University Select Ekiden, a relay road race held in Shimane Prefecture, and moved many listeners.
Against the backdrop of their hometown scenery, it’s a song that gently embraces everyone chasing their dreams.
Shimanekko’s BI-HA-DANCEshimanekko
This dance number is packed with the energetic charm of Shimanekko, Shimane Prefecture’s tourism character.
The piece stands out with a bright, catchy melody that makes your heart skip just by listening.
The lyrics carry a positive message: let’s have fun dancing and shine from within.
Released in May 2020 to celebrate Shimanekko’s 10th anniversary, the song was also featured in a prefecture-sponsored commemorative video project.
It’s a local tune that makes you feel wrapped in the warm appeal of Shimane.
Shimane Prefecture Residents’ Song “Pale Purple Mountain Range”Sakushi: Yoneyama Harusaku / Sakkyoku: Koseki Yuji
This work, composed by Yuji Koseki—one of the most iconic composers of the Showa era—serves as a symbol of Shimane Prefecture.
The lyrics, brimming with hometown pride, were written by Osamu Yoneyama, a bank employee, and selected from 324 submissions in a public contest.
The melody evokes the grandeur of the Chugoku Mountains and the Sea of Japan, as well as the hopes for the future of the people who live there—it really resonates, doesn’t it? The piece was recorded in March 1952 with vocals by Ichiro Fujiyama, later covered by Kiyotaka Tachikawa, and has deeply taken root among the prefecture’s residents.
Since January 2021, it has also been featured in the prefecture’s image commercials.
For those from Shimane, listening to it will surely stir powerful feelings for their hometown.
Izumo UjōTakigawa Maiko
A pure enka number by Maiko Takigawa that vividly evokes rainy Izumo, the land of myth.
Though it’s a journey to end a romance, the woman’s growing attachment won’t let her cut ties, and her heart is depicted alongside local scenes like the Hii River and the Month of the Gods.
Released in November 2013 as the second installment commemorating Maiko Takigawa’s 25th anniversary debut, this song conjures images of Izumo shrouded in rain and the protagonist standing there alone.
Listen when you want comfort for the ache of a bittersweet love, or when you wish to feel the travel romance of Shimane—the music will seep deep into your heart.
Oki Travel SentimentMizumori Kaori
This is a song by Kaori Mizumori, the “Queen of Local Songs,” that richly portrays the travel sentiments of Shimane.
It is filled with beautiful scenes of Shimane, such as the poignant feeling of gazing toward the mainland from the Oki Islands, the sunset sinking over Lake Shinji, and the picturesque streets of Tsuwano.
The loneliness felt while traveling and the warm thoughts of one’s hometown seep deeply into the heart, carried by her clear voice and gently wistful melody.
The song was released in August 2014 as a related edition to the hit work “Shimane Koitabi” (Shimane Love Journey).
Mizumori herself serves as a Shimane Hometown Goodwill Ambassador, and this work also plays a role in conveying the charms of Shimane.