[Station Jingles] A compilation of approach melodies and departure melodies from around Japan
Music you casually hear at the station you usually use.
If you listen closely, sometimes it’s recent J-pop, and other times it’s nostalgic children’s songs—you’ve noticed that, right?
In this article, we’ve put together station melodies from all over Japan.
You might even stumble upon a tune that makes you think, “Why this song?”
But if you look into it, you’ll find there’s a proper reason that particular piece was chosen.
Including that sense of story, please listen and enjoy!
Welcome to the deep, deep world of railway sound enthusiasts!
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[Station Jingles] Nationwide Compilation of Approach and Departure Melodies (1–10)
I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin
This is the 13th single by singer Takajin Yashiki, renowned as having a “comedian’s voice when he speaks and a singer’s voice when he sings,” and an artist who commanded an undeniable presence, especially in the Kansai region.
The song sparked the Sukiyanen boom and became a huge hit—it’s a well-known track recognized not only in Kansai but across Japan.
Since 2014, the year of Yashiki’s passing, it has been used as the departure melody at Osaka Station on the Osaka Loop Line as part of the Osaka Loop Line Renovation Project, showing how beloved it is by a wide audience.
Even as a station jingle, its lingering poignancy seeps into the heart—an unfading number.
Fly, Gundam!Ikeda Ko
The opening theme of the TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam, which captivated adults by incorporating realistic depictions of war despite being part of the robot anime genre beloved by children.
It’s a song that’s quite famous even as an anime theme, so many people may have heard it even if they don’t know the anime itself.
In Suginami Ward, home to dozens of anime production companies, the station departure melody on the Seibu Shinjuku Line at Kamiigusa Station uses this song, particularly because Sunrise—the studio behind Mobile Suit Gundam—is just a two-minute walk from the station.
There’s also a bronze Gundam statue in front of the station, making it a place every anime fan will want to visit at least once.
Anpanman’s Marchdoriimingu
Originally created as a picture book, Soreike! Anpanman has since become an immensely popular anime that nearly everyone encounters in childhood, and this is its opening theme.
It was also the debut single of the twin-sister singing duo Dreaming, whose song—offering listeners hope—and their uniquely beautiful twin harmonies resonate deeply.
Since 2008, it has been used as the approach melody at Kochi Station on the JR Dosan Line in Kochi Prefecture, the hometown of Takashi Yanase, the anime’s original author and the lyricist.
The warm, familiar melody continues to welcome many passengers to this day.
[Station Melodies] Nationwide Compilation of Approaching and Departure Melodies (11–20)
You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko
Also known as the “God-sis,” Akiko Wada is now strongly recognized as an authoritative voice in the entertainment industry, but in fact she’s a powerhouse singer whose debut-era tagline was “The Japanese Queen of Rhythm and Blues.” This is her 11th single, a song that won the Best Vocal Performance Award at the 1972 Japan Record Awards and has been performed multiple times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it one of her signature tracks.
Because the nearby Shitennō-ji Temple is famous for its New Year’s Eve bell, the song is used as the departure melody at JR West’s Osaka Loop Line, Tennoji Station.
If you’re heading to Shitennō-ji to hear the bell, it’s a station jingle you’ll want to check out as well.
Galaxy Express 999sasaki isao
As part of the campaign marking the 40th anniversary of the full opening of the Sanyo Shinkansen, starting on March 9, 2016 (chosen for its “three nines” meaning), this piece has been used as the departure chime at the five main Sanyo Shinkansen stations: Shin-Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Kokura, and Hakata.
Previously, the same buzzer sound was used for both the departure warning and the train arrival warning, but by differentiating them, it has reportedly become easier to draw passengers’ attention on the platform.
Also, this tune evokes the feeling of a new journey and seems likely to boost the excitement of those setting off.
Tomorrow will surely be a good dayTakahashi Yuu
This is the 12th major-label single by singer-songwriter Yu Takahashi, who was appointed Akita Music Ambassador for his efforts to energize Akita through music, including organizing the Akita CARAVAN MUSIC FES.
With its brisk, fast-paced melody and arrangement, and lyrics that say good things follow even after unpleasant ones, it’s a refreshing number.
The fact that it has been used since 2017 as the departure melody for both conventional lines and the Shinkansen at JR Akita Station also speaks to the strong bond between Yu Takahashi and Akita Prefecture.
It’s a station jingle that radiates hometown pride—one you’ll want to hear when you visit Akita.
Leaves of Words, Green LeavesWake Up Girls!
This song has been used as the departure melody at Sendai Airport Station since 2016.
It was adopted as part of a collaboration project with the anime “Wake Up, Girls,” which is set in Miyagi Prefecture.
The song is used as the ending theme of the film.
Since Sendai Airport operates international flights to Taiwan, the initiative aims to promote Miyagi Prefecture in Taiwan.
Special collaboration headmarks were attached to the trains, and commemorative tickets were also released.
Events like this make riding the train even more enjoyable.