[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)
Astro Boy
The theme song of Osamu Tezuka’s iconic work Astro Boy, Tezuka being regarded as a leading figure in postwar Japanese story manga and known as the “God of Manga.” Because the story sets the birth of its protagonist in 2003 at the Ministry of Science in Takadanobaba, and because Tezuka Productions—the animation studio that made the show—has its office in Takadanobaba, the song has been used since 2003 as the departure melody at JR Yamanote Line’s Takadanobaba Station.
In addition, JR Musashino Line’s Niiza Station also uses the Astro Boy theme as its departure melody, a connection stemming from the fact that Tezuka Productions was once located in Niiza City.
The arrangements differ at each station, so it might be fun to compare how they sound.
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.
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.
[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.
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.
Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi
This song has been used since 2015 as the approach melody at JR Yosan Line’s Iyo-Saijō Station.
The reason it plays in Ehime is that tenor singer Masafumi Akikawa, who made the song a major hit, is from Saijō City in Ehime Prefecture, where the station is located.
The city has been working on community development themed around “A Thousand Winds,” and in the same year, 2015, it also built the “A Thousand Winds Monument” at the Saijō Library.
If you’re interested, it might be fun to visit and trace the footsteps of “A Thousand Winds.”
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.