[2025] Masterpieces Themed on Ehime: From Local Songs to Municipal Anthems
Ehime Prefecture brims with hometown pride.
Blessed with the beautiful Seto Inland Sea, Mount Takanawa—the highest in Japan—and a mild climate, this land is home to countless wonderful songs.
From municipal anthems every local can hum to regional tunes that extol Ehime’s charms, the variety is truly abundant! In this article, we’ll take our time introducing a selection of gem-like pieces that express Ehime’s nature, culture, and everyday life through music.
Whether you’re from Ehime or visiting as a tourist, you’re sure to rediscover the prefecture’s allure through these songs.
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[2025] Masterpieces themed around Ehime: Introducing everything from local songs to municipal anthems (21–30)
Uwajima OndoMiyuki Kagajō, Tatsuya Ichimonji
No matter which region’s bon odori song you listen to, they all sound fun, don’t they? Uwajima Ondo is the song played during the Uwajima Ushi-Oni Festival, held every year from July 22 to 24.
A gigantic ushi-oni (ox-demon) appears, and the festival is packed with events like parades and dances by local residents.
Although bullfighting isn’t very familiar in Japan, Uwajima has its own bullring, and on July 24 a bullfighting tournament is held as part of the Warei Grand Festival.
“Uwajima Ondo” sings about scenes from the town.
Matsuyama Love TourSayuri Tsuyama
This song, set against the backdrop of the singer’s hometown, gently expresses a bittersweet first love.
It differs somewhat from the typical image of enka, conveying the feelings of a girl’s heartbreak that could happen anywhere.
The date spots in Matsuyama come across as well-known tourist locations, revealing a clear affection for the local area.
Sayuri Tsuyama, a native of Matsuyama, is actively working, having also produced support songs for events like the Ehime Marathon.
[2025] Masterpieces themed around Ehime: Introducing everything from local songs to municipal anthems (31–40)
Imabari Nippon-Ichi OndoBary-san
The local mascot Bari-san from Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture is famous nationwide and is no less popular than Funassyi.
He’s been extremely busy promoting the Imabari Ondo dance with a campaign in Yurakucho, Tokyo.
Understandably, the other dancers make use of their tenugui cloths in the dance, but Bari-san just wears his like a bellyband.
Hiji River stormNatsuko Godai
Natsuko Godai sings as if speaking to you, as if persuading you, about a forbidden love.
“Hiji-kawa Arashi” is not only the song’s title but also a real phenomenon: in early winter, fog that forms in the Ōzu Basin sweeps down the Hiji River as a strong, fog-laden wind that blows out to the river mouth.
This phenomenon is unique to Ōzu City.
The lyrics say she has crossed many rivers of tears, conveying a sense of a woman’s strength.
Matsuyama ShigureSanae Jōnouchi
This is a soothing local song from Ehime Prefecture with Sanae Jōnouchi’s calm atmosphere.
When it comes to Ehime, the first place that comes to mind is Matsuyama—a charming city with a castle and hot springs.
Sanae Jōnouchi is a skilled enka singer, but she actually debuted as a member of the Onyanko Club, where her membership number was 17.
Come on over to MatsuyamaKenichi Ehime
It’s an irresistible song for people who love Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture.
After all, the singer—whose stage name, I believe, is Ehime Kenichi—bears the name “Ehime” itself.
Come to think of it, Ehime includes the pilgrimage route covering temples 40 through 65 of the Shikoku 88-temple circuit.
The song captures that kind of atmosphere.
This track is the B-side of “Furusato ga Ichiban” (“Hometown Is the Best”).
For some reason, judging from the title, I assumed the A-side would be a local song about Ehime Prefecture, but it wasn’t.
Song of EhimeBONNY JACKS
This piece was created in 1973 at the same time as the new prefectural emblem, during the commemorative ceremony for the inauguration of Ehime Prefectural Government.
However, unlike Nagano Prefecture’s song, it’s doubtful that most residents can actually sing it.
It seems the former governor of Ehime and the successor who took office afterward did not get along, leading to the emblem being redesigned.
The song narrowly avoided being abolished, but it’s unclear whether it has truly taken root among the residents in this situation.