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[Songs of Yamaguchi] Introducing local tunes filled with hometown love and tracks related to Yamaguchi

[Songs of Yamaguchi] Introducing local tunes filled with hometown love and tracks related to Yamaguchi
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In Yamaguchi Prefecture, the westernmost part of Honshu overlooking the Kanmon Strait, there is a heartwarming world of music deeply rooted in the local community.

From prefectural and city anthems cherished by residents, to theme songs for local information programs, and even unique pieces that straightforwardly sing the praises of delicious local rice, Yamaguchi’s songs are remarkably diverse.

Whether it’s a powerful chant supporting the local soccer team or a friendly theme song from a community-focused supermarket, every track embodies a warmth that’s closely tied to the daily lives of Yamaguchi’s people.

In this article, we’ve gathered songs themed around Yamaguchi Prefecture and its various regions, as well as pieces with connections to Yamaguchi.

You, too, will surely be captivated by these gems imbued with the charm of Yamaguchi.

[Yamaguchi Songs] Introducing Local Tunes Filled with Love for Our Hometown and Tracks Related to Yamaguchi (1–10)

Everyone’s hometownSeri Yoko

Everyone’s Hometown (Yamaguchi Prefecture Favorite Song)
Everyone’s hometownSeri Yoko

Marked by a gentle, warm melody, this piece is a song that celebrates the rich nature and the kindness of the people of Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Carried by a leisurely flowing tune, the landscapes of the hometown are portrayed with deep emotion, resonating profoundly in the listener’s heart.

Released as a single in 1979, it has long been cherished as the prefecture’s official beloved song.

For those who have left their hometown, it evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort.

While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki

Hideaki Tokunaga – While Shining...
While shining...Tokunaga Hideaki

It’s a classic ballad that rekindles the sparkle of youth along with a touch of bittersweet memories.

Released in July 1987 as Hideaki Tokunaga’s fourth single, it reached No.

4 on the Oricon charts.

It also became a hot topic at the time as the theme song for the Fujicolor Super HR commercial.

In Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture—lyricist Akira Otsu’s hometown—a monument featuring the song’s lyrics has been erected, and the track is recognized as a local song there.

For those standing at a crossroads in life and stepping into a new world, this piece may feel like a reassuring good-luck charm.

Prefectural Song of YamaguchiNobutoki Kiyoshi

It is the prefectural anthem of Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Beginning with Kintaikyo Bridge, one of Yamaguchi’s main tourist attractions, it carefully depicts the various hues found throughout the prefecture, such as Suo-nada and Shimonoseki.

The composition was undertaken by Kiyoshi Nobutoki, and his exquisite sensibility yields a bold, dignified melodic line that leaves a strong impression.

Come on! Kanmon MarchKamon Tatsuo

Tatsuo Kamon - Come On! Kanmon March
Come on! Kanmon MarchKamon Tatsuo

A local march brimming with regional pride, crafted by Tatsuo Kamon, known for his comical style.

Set against the Kanmon Straits linking Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, it portrays the lively bustle of two cities joining hands—just listening to it lifts your spirits.

The song was created as the theme for a JR West tourism campaign launched in October 2005.

Its lyrics convey Kamon’s warm message of energizing the community.

For anyone planning a trip to the Kanmon area, it’s the perfect track to play before departure to heighten your anticipation.

I love you, Yamaguchi.Harada Yūko

Yuko Harada Yamaguchi Prefecture Tourism Song I Love Yamaguchi
I love you, Yamaguchi.Harada Yūko

This is a Yamaguchi theme song sung by singer-songwriter Yuko Harada from Yamaguchi Prefecture.

It features various tourist spots—from Kintaikyo Bridge to Suo-nada and Tokuyama Zoo—sung in Yamaguchi’s distinctive dialect.

Its light, upbeat rhythm is sure to lift listeners’ spirits.

Color of the heartNakamura Masatoshi

This is one of Masatoshi Nakamura’s signature works, said to have been inspired by a sunset sinking over Nagato City in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The protagonist’s resolve to rise again—believing in the sunrise to come despite the pain of heartbreak and the hardships of life—strikes a deep chord.

Released in November 1981, the song was promoted from an insert track to the main theme of the drama “Our Animal Family,” starring Nakamura.

It held the number-one spot on The Best Ten for five consecutive weeks and is widely known as one of Nakamura’s representative songs.

It’s the kind of piece that quietly stays by your side when you’re trying to overcome something, or when you’re lost in thought while gazing at a beautiful evening sky.

Nagato GorgeYamamoto Jōji

Set against a gorge in Yamaguchi Prefecture, this song portrays a man who vows with firm resolve during a solitary journey.

The harsh natural scenery awaiting spring overlaps with the protagonist, who, though clumsy, earnestly tries to face forward—something many listeners may find relatable.

Released in February 2012 to coincide with Joji Yamamoto’s birthday, the song was also included that same month on the maxi single “Kokoro no Kizuna ~Ashita o Shinjite~.” It’s a work that carries a gentle warmth, as if softly supporting those who strive on their own while thinking of their hometown.