[Songs of Fukushima] Thinking of my hometown | A heartwarming collection of classic songs celebrating the beautiful “Fukushima”

Aizu Nostalgic SongKaori Haruna

Kaori Haruna “Aizu Nostalgia Song”

While feeling the loneliness of a childhood friend getting married and leaving, this enka song savors the taste of home and wishes for the other’s happiness from the mountains of Aizu, and, as expected, includes a verse from Aizu’s representative folk song, Aizu Bandaisan.

I thought Kaori Haruna was from Fukushima Prefecture, but she was actually born in Tokyo.

I long for Soma.Hiroshi Harada

I miss Soma (Vocals: Hiroshi Harada)

A man from Soma District in Fukushima Prefecture left his hometown long ago, and he sings that he still cannot forget the loneliness he felt at that time.

Even in everyday life, when his regional accent slips out while drinking, he feels a comforting sense of being able to be himself.

I believe that, not just in Fukushima, feelings of homesickness are strong for everyone in their own way.

Woman of AizuKasuga Hachirō

Hachiro Kasuga's 'Woman of Aizu'

The stage setting is Wakamatsu Castle in Aizuwakamatsu City, but locals call it Tsuruga Castle.

As befits a song from the Aizu region, the lyrics refer to it as Tsuruga Castle.

In the rain, surely without even holding an umbrella, you can almost see across time the back of a man searching for the woman he loved.

Ban'etsu West LineA Thousand Nights, A Thousand Melodies

Banetsu West Line Aizu-Wakamatsu Station D51 being moved onto the turntable May 3

It’s a local line that runs from Koriyama Station in Fukushima Prefecture, via Aizu-Wakamatsu, to Niitsu Station in Niigata Prefecture.

Surrounded by mountains, the sight of a few train cars trundling along feels peaceful and soothing.

In the Hunters’ local song, the singer rides the Ban’etsu West Line while revisiting a youthful love that has slipped away—somehow, these scenic places seem to suit heartbreak perfectly.

Soma Motherly AffectionAkemi Okawa

Minami Ren “The Inner Sōma Road” No. 1

Writing it as ‘motherly affection’ rather than ‘yearning’ becomes clear when you listen to the song.

Looking at the sky and feeling the wind bring back memories of a hometown far away.

Not limited to Soma, local pride festivals become nostalgic memories, and for those who have a hometown, this is an enka song that surely resonates in the heart.

Jangara Love SongHarumi Kurenai

Harumi Kurenai / Jangara Love Song

This is a poem by Kure Harumi, who grew up during the heyday of the Joban coal mines.

With the mines’ closure, she mourned her decaying hometown and sang of the coal town of the past.

Row houses like the “harmonica nagaya” were a common sight in coal-mining towns, and “jangara” refers to a hand gong; during festivals in the Iwaki area, the sound of these gongs rings out everywhere.

Iwaki City SongIchiro Fujiyama

Iwaki City Song (Ichiro Fujiyama)

There was a song about Iwaki City, but it’s unclear how well-known it actually is among people who live there.

The tune has a cheer-song vibe, and judging from the introduction video it features Iwaki’s famous tourist spots and history, but I had to laugh when the Maruto supermarket showed up.

It’s a well-known supermarket locally.