[Yamagata Songs] Beloved local tunes and classic tracks celebrating majestic nature and hometown pride

Raised in YamagataYamaguchi Iwao

Raised in Yamagata

Crafted by Iwao Yamaguchi, this piece features lyrics in the Yamagata dialect that feel disarmingly simple and gently seep into the heart.

As a dialect scholar himself, Yamaguchi paints everyday local scenes and unadorned people so vividly that you can almost see them.

The track was included on the July 2019 album “Yamagata Spirit,” and in response to fan requests, a “Yamagata Spirit: Special Edition” with additions like a live version was released in August 2023.

If you’re a bit worn out by city life or find yourself thinking of home late at night, listening to it might just lighten your heart.

Mogami RiverMizumori Kaori

[New Song] Mogamigawa / Kaori Mizumori cover by kirara

This is a song by Kaori Mizumori that portrays a wistful journey: drifting down Yamagata’s majestic river by boat while reminiscing about someone you can no longer meet.

The depictions of nature—the river’s flow, the mist, the wind—overlap with the protagonist’s wavering heart and nostalgia for the past, resonating deeply with listeners.

The track was included on the album “Kayō Kiko 20: Narukokyō,” released in October 2021.

For those living away from their hometowns or traveling with memories of someone dear, it may feel as if the song is speaking their feelings on their behalf.

Yamagata Prefecture Sports Prefectural Anthem (Snow of Mount Gassan)Fujiyama Ichirō

Yamagata Prefecture Sports Prefectural Anthem

This piece was created in Yamagata Prefecture, the host site of the 32nd Track and Field Championships held in 1948 (Showa 23), to inspire enthusiasm for sports.

It is said to be a standard song played at elementary school sports days in Yamagata.

It is beloved by residents under titles such as “Yamagata Sports Prefectural Anthem,” “Prefectural Song,” and “Snow of Mt.

Gassan.”

Shonai Plaintachibana keiko

Shonai Plain

This is a melancholic travel-themed enka that evokes the image of the sun setting into the Sea of Japan.

Its single-minded love—so deep the singer declares there would be no regrets even if life were on the line—is rendered through Keiko Tachibana’s richly expressive voice.

The Shonai landscapes, such as the Mogami River and the Atsumi Morning Market, may in fact heighten the protagonist’s helpless, aching sorrow.

Released as a single in September 2024, this song will resonate deeply with those who wish to reminisce about their hometown scenery or immerse themselves in a mature love story.

Yamagata Soba OndoHoshikawa Eiko

Yamagata Soba Ondo

Yamagata Soba Ondo, sung by folk singer Eiko Hoshikawa.

It’s a relatively new song created in the Heisei era.

Noticing there was no local song about soba, Ichiro Otaki wrote the lyrics, and Yoko Nagayama and Toshihide Hayabusa were commissioned to compose the music, resulting in its completion.

They say that if you visit soba shops in Yamagata Prefecture, you can find Eiko Hoshikawa’s CDs and posters in almost every store.

Kasedori Festivalmatsuri sankasha

2017—The honored Kasedori has arrived! ~♪

It’s a festival with quite a high bar for participants: they let out shrill cries of “ka-ka-ka,” don garments made of straw, and walk toward the town while having water poured over them in the severe cold of February.

But it has a clear meaning—it’s a traditional folk event of Kamiyama that prays for a good harvest and prosperous business—and it has become a seasonal hallmark of the city at this time of year.

Sakata Rice CrackersYamamoto Rinda

The song by Linda Yamamoto, produced as a TV commercial jingle, humorously introduces Yamagata Prefecture’s specialties.

Known for the catchy phrase “Komacchauna” (“I’m in a fix”), Yamamoto’s charming vocals and the upbeat rhythm make a strong impression.

Aired in the 1970s, the commercial caught the attention of many viewers as color television became widespread, helping boost the recognition of Yamagata’s local products.

Yamamoto’s distinctive voice and expressive delivery effectively convey the appeal of the goods.

This track is recommended not only for those who want to feel the charm and hometown spirit of Yamagata, but also for anyone interested in Showa-era commercial songs.