A classic song that sings of Toyama. The enduring heart of our hometown.
Located in the center of Honshu, Toyama Prefecture has a large area facing the Sea of Japan and is rich in marine resources.
Toyama is also a region with a long history, where many folk songs have survived to the present day, led by Japan’s oldest folk song, “Kokiriko-bushi.”
In this article, we’ll introduce local songs from Toyama, including traditional folk songs passed down through the ages, as well as enka and kayōkyoku inspired by famous sights in the prefecture.
If you live in the area, you might find some especially familiar tunes.
Be sure to read to the end!
A famous song that sings of Toyama. The heart of our hometown, passed down through song (1–10)
Sky of my hometownHisaishi Joe
Furusato no Sora, composed by Joe Hisaishi, is a gem unveiled in 2012 that weaves the beautiful nature of Toyama Prefecture and the hearts of its people into music.
This piece pairs lyrics, additionally written by Toyama native Akira Sudo, with Hisaishi’s delicate composition, creating a work that instills pride in Toyama.
Its nostalgic melody evokes the changing scenery of the four seasons and conveys the warmth of one’s hometown.
It’s a moving masterpiece recommended not only for the people of Toyama, but for anyone who wishes to feel the pull of nostalgia.
Woman of EtchuTomita Yoko
Onnakoku Etchu depicts the heartrending love story of a woman who falls in love by Matsukawa in Etchu, the area that corresponds to present-day Toyama Prefecture.
Masashi Kaga, known for creating numerous folk songs, wrote both the lyrics and the music.
Its beautiful yet somehow fleeting melody evokes a traditional Japanese atmosphere, while Yoko Tomita’s vocals resonate throughout.
Places like Himi and Matsukawa in Toyama Prefecture appear in the narrative, and the love story of a traveling woman invites a range of emotions.
This folk song, set in Toyama, celebrates the joy of meeting the person with whom one will share a lifetime.
Stray KokirikoNariye Shōhei
“Hagure Kokiriko” is a hit song performed by enka singer Shohei Naruse, released in 1999, and it has remained a long-loved local anthem.
It won the Composer’s Award at the 41st Japan Record Awards and the Composer’s Award at the 32nd Japan Cable Radio Awards.
Toyama is a nice place.Matsudaira Akira
Akira Matsudaira’s “Toyama Yoitoko,” which depicts the beautiful scenery of Toyama Prefecture and was composed by Yuji Koseki, is the ultimate local song that remains timeless even today.
The piece showcases Matsudaira’s captivating, era-transcending voice, and its lyrics conjure vivid landscapes.
The melody, too, is a must-hear, gently conveying the heart of Toyama, a region rich in folk-song tradition.
It’s recommended not only for those with ties to Toyama, but for anyone who longs for their hometown.
Wind of loveMizukoshi Yuka
Yuka Mizukoshi’s “Ainokaze” is a song that lovingly celebrates the sights and traditions of Toyama Prefecture.
Steeped in her roots, its greatest charm lies in lyrics written in the Toyama dialect.
Released in 2013, the track conveys the beauty of Toyama’s culture not only to locals but also to listeners with no direct connection to the region.
Mizukoshi’s vocals are warm and gently comforting.
The song’s content—such as choosing Kaiwomaru Park as a date setting—has been praised for its deep local pride.
It’s especially recommended for anyone who wants to feel the appeal of Japan’s regional culture!
Love Song of Kaze no BonIshikawa Sayuri
This piece, Kazenobon Koiuta, sung by Sayuri Ishikawa, was created based on a romance novel.
Released as a single in 1989, it became a hit and drew attention when it was performed as the closing act at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Since the novel is set in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, the song follows that setting as well.
Even knowing they cannot be together, the narrator can’t bear to part from the one they love… The painful longing comes through and squeezes your heart.
Ishikawa’s rich, seductive voice also perfectly matches the song’s atmosphere.
Toyama Prefectural Residents’ SongKurosaka Tomiharu
The Toyama Prefectural Anthem is a song that engraves Toyama’s rich nature and culture in our hearts.
With lyrics by Toshio Tsujimoto and music by Ryoji Makino, it was created to celebrate Toyama’s majestic natural beauty and to strengthen the bonds and hopes of its people, and was released in 1958.
Ever since, it has remained an enduring masterpiece beloved by residents across the prefecture.
Its deeply moving melody and lyrics invite listeners on a journey through Toyama’s landscapes and history, bringing warmth to everyday life.
It’s especially recommended for those who want to discover their hometown’s song anew or who wish to reminisce about local memories.