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

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.

Thank you (in Yamagata dialect)ogura kei

♪Oshōshina by Kei Ogura

“Oshōshina” isn’t a familiar word in standard Japanese, but in Yamagata it might be one of the most popular expressions.

Its meaning is interpreted as “thank you,” though there seems to be a slight nuance difference from how it’s used locally.

This is a song composed by Kei Ogura, who is also active as a singer-songwriter, using Yonezawa as its theme.

In each and every lyric, you can feel people’s warmth and kindness.

Hometown, I want to see you.Kudō Ayano

Ayano Kudo: "Hometown, I Miss You"

For those who have a hometown to return to, this song seems to evoke the scenes of their own homeland.

Centered around the Mogami River, it sings of memories fondly recalled—mountain ranges familiar since childhood, the countryside where the sun set—while also expressing the longing for a hometown that soothes the soul, even though one cannot return every year.

A Petal of Cherry BlossomMogamigawa Tsukasa

Tsukasa Mogamigawa – A Petal of Cherry Blossom

You can tell where he’s from just by his stage name.

Tsukasa Mogamigawa is being promoted as a visual-kei enka singer.

Although this song doesn’t directly mention place names in Yamagata Prefecture, Tsukasa has said that the environment where he was born and raised was incredibly beautiful when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

A devoted grandson, he once shared that while he was on a short trip, his grandfather passed away, and he couldn’t be there at his last moments—he said he cried his eyes out.

Using that hometown as the theme, he likens the parting of never being able to meet again to cherry blossom petals.

Both the lyrics and the music are by Tsukasa Mogamigawa himself.

There are famous spots called “Senbonzakura” (a thousand cherry trees) all over Japan; in Yamagata Prefecture, the cherry blossoms around Eboshiyama Park are well-known.

Yamagata Lumberjack Song

Yamagata Lumberjack Song

This is a Yamagata work song that extols the pride and vibrant spirit of sawyers sweating through their mountain labor.

You can almost picture the cheerful scene of reporting to the boss that they’ve harvested high-quality timber and sharing the joy with their comrades.

The song has a background of having been formed in 1931, when the Yamagata Shimbun held a public contest for lyrics and fused the winning words with a locally handed-down melody.

For those who wish to reflect on nostalgic hometown landscapes or seek a boost of energy for daily life, its simple yet powerful tune will serve as fuel for tomorrow.

Mogami River

Yamagata Prefectural Anthem: Mogami River

This is a solemn, moving piece that symbolizes the majestic nature of Yamagata Prefecture.

Its pure yet powerful melody was composed based on an imperial poem by Emperor Showa, inspired by the scenery of the Mogami River.

The lyrics express the river’s eternal flow, the beauty of the changing seasons, and a deep affection for one’s hometown.

Completed in 1930 and designated the prefectural anthem the following year, the song continues to be cherished and sung at official occasions.

Since its adoption, it has been performed in schools and at community ceremonies, becoming deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Yamagata.

For those living away from home, hearing it may evoke gentle images of Yamagata’s tranquil landscapes and stir a sense of nostalgia.