[Songs of Gunma] Exquisite masterpieces that sing of Gunma’s nature and the spirit of its people
When you hear place names from Gunma, do a nostalgic melody and lyrics come to mind? Songs themed around Gunma Prefecture are wonderfully diverse—from children’s songs and traditional school songs to enka, J-pop, and anime tunes! Many masterpieces vividly portray the atmosphere of hot spring towns, the grandeur of the mountains, and everyday life, and just hearing them makes you want to visit Gunma.
In this article, we’ve gathered songs related to Gunma Prefecture.
Why not discover Gunma’s lesser-known charms through music?
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[Songs of Gunma] Exquisite masterpieces singing of Gunma’s nature and the spirited hearts of its people (21–30)
Woman of IkahoNoboru Tachibana
Ikaho no Onna (Woman of Ikaho) is crafted with the image of the hot-spring town of Ikaho.
It’s nice how the scene is set against the backdrop of the spa town, telling the story of a man drinking alone at a bar, driven by his longing to see a certain woman.
The song was originally performed by Hiromasa Shimizu, who hails from Shibukawa City in Gunma Prefecture.
Chūji’s Wandering JourneySaburō Kitajima
The single released in 2008 is a song featured in the stage production “Saburo Kitajima Special Performance: Chuji Kunisada.” Saburo Kitajima, who is second to none at singing about manliness, fits perfectly with the image of Chuji Kunisada in a traveling gambler’s attire.
The lyrics depict the scene where Chuji parts ways with his followers, and the mention of the ‘karakkaze’ (dry, gusty wind) is quintessentially Gunma Prefecture.
[Songs of Gunma] Exquisite masterpieces that sing of Gunma’s nature and the spirit of its people (31–40)
Beloved TakasakiDaisuke Kitagawa & Sakura Mizuki
When it comes to duet songs from Gunma Prefecture, this might be the one.
It’s set in Takasaki, and the couple sings about Symphony Road in Takasaki City—a song only locals would know.
It’s the main street lined with office buildings, shops, and the city hall.
The “Harp Fountain” is a small park with a harp monument.
.
.
it’s casually promoting Takasaki City, isn’t it?
Love of Lake HarunaSusumu Ikeda / Green Eyes
It’s a stylish duet song, but just by mentioning Lake Haruna, it’s definitely a local-themed song.
Lake Haruna is one of the top leisure spots in Gunma Prefecture, and taking the theme of romance all the way to the go-karts by the lake shows remarkable lyrical flair.
A Lone Traveling Crow of JōshūShinichiro Matsushima
When you think of Jōshū—Gunma Prefecture, which was known as Kōzuke no Kuni—the name Chūji Kunisada is so famous that there are many songs about chivalrous outlaws.
It’s fine if things like fiery tirades and Hannya tattoos on one’s back exist only in the world of song.
But this Mr.
Shinichirō Matsushima is incredible.
While serving as the chairman of a comprehensive electrical equipment company, he made his debut at the age of 64.
He has commented that he spares no daily diligence and effort.
Shinobu’s Migratory BirdShinobu Otowa
Although it’s a travel song from the perspective of a migratory bird, it also feels like a local anthem.
The first verse mentions Shinano and Kutsukake, pointing to Nagano Prefecture; the second verse sings of the Jōshū road and Tsukiyono in Gunma Prefecture; and the third verse brings up Sado and Teradomari in Niigata Prefecture.
Shinobu Otowa is from Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture, has changed her stage name several times, appeared on talk shows wearing outfits designed by Uno Kanda, and perhaps thanks to those efforts, she won the Newcomer Award at the 43rd Japan Record Awards.
I love Maebashi.Southern Cross
Southern Cross is also famous for including local place names in their titles, like “I Love You, Sapporo.” Since Sapporo has quite an urban image, I feel you don’t necessarily need to run a whole local-song campaign for it.
Still, when a city is woven into a song, it somehow creates a mood that makes you want to travel there.
“I Love You, Maebashi” doesn’t say much in its lyrics either, but it’s a song that evokes images of a hometown of the heart, of water and greenery.