[2025] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: The enduring heart of our homeland passed down in song

Wakkanai BluesMitsuru Hara and Channel Five

Mitsuru Hara and Chanel Five – Wakkanai Blues

Released in July 1971, this song is set in Wakkanai, the northernmost city in Hokkaido, and vividly portrays the grandeur of nature and the lives of its people.

Performed by Mitsuru Hara and Chanel Five, it’s a heartwarming piece where melodic choral work and band sound blend beautifully.

As their debut single, it carved out a unique presence in the music scene of the time.

Also included on the acclaimed album “Chanel Five in Sapporo,” the track masterfully expresses the landscapes of Japan’s northern frontier through music.

Embracing the scenic vistas of Wakkanai and the rhythms of everyday life, it’s recommended for those who want to reflect on Hokkaido’s majestic nature and local culture.

It also makes for a comfortable driving tune—perfect as BGM for a trip through Hokkaido.

Ishikari ElegyMirei Kitahara

Ishikari Elegy – Mirei Kitahara

The enka singer Mirei Kitahara’s “Ishikari Banka” is her eighth single, released in 1975.

Created in collaboration with the renowned lyricist Rei Nakanishi, the song is based on his own experiences and is set against the backdrop of herring fishing in Ishikari Bay in northwestern Hokkaido.

Nakanishi’s feelings at the time are reflected in the delicate emotions of a woman who stands by a man dreaming of striking it rich through the herring catch.

This song, which expresses poignant sorrow and helplessness, is now carried on and performed by many enka singers.

Sapporo ElegyHiroshi Takeshima

Sapporo Elegy / Hiroshi Takeshima (Sapporo Elegy, released in 2004)

Set in the northern city of Sapporo, this melancholic mood kayō ballad—richly portraying a heartrending love story—was released as a single by Hiroshi Takeshima in October 2004.

It beautifully overlays the solemn atmosphere of Sapporo’s streets with the emotions of a man pursuing the lingering traces of a past romance.

With lyrics by Kyosuke Kuni and composition by Hiroyuki Nakagawa, its exquisite melody is deeply moving.

Peaking at No.

44 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, the song captured the hearts of many enka fans and remains a popular work that represents the early phase of Takeshima’s career.

Evoking the clear, wintry air of Sapporo and weaving delicate vocals with poignant longing, this track is especially recommended for snowy seasons or quiet nights spent thinking of someone dear.

I like Sapporo.Yuji Mori and Southern Cross

Southern Cross 'I Love You, Sapporo' [Mood Kayō] (Official Audio)

A masterpiece that beautifully encapsulates the charm and sentiment of Sapporo.

The refined lyrics and graceful melody portray the city’s atmosphere and the richly textured transitions of the four seasons.

It’s a mood kayō song steeped in melancholy, characteristic of Yuji Mori and Southern Cross, and it resonates deeply with listeners.

Released as a single in 1981, it was also used as the theme song for the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Beloved as a cheer song for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, it has become a piece rooted in the community.

It’s a gem you’ll want to hear on a calm winter’s day, and one I highly recommend both to those nostalgic for Sapporo’s cityscape and to those who have yet to visit.

Distant StarMikuni Shimokawa

Distant Star

A song that deeply resonates with longing for one’s hometown, captured by Mikuni Shimokawa—who hails from Shinhidaka, Hidaka District in Hokkaido—on her November 2004 album, “Kimi no Uta.” Carried by gentle acoustic guitar and piano, this beautiful ballad tenderly paints scenes of the northern land, like the flow of the Shizunai River and fields of corn.

Her calm yet powerful vocals quietly convey parting with the past and a resolve to start anew, stirring the listener’s heart.

The album “Kimi no Uta,” which includes this track, is highly acclaimed as a masterpiece that showcases the depth of her musicality.

It’s a song to be heard on a quiet, nostalgic night, as you reflect on the indelible memories of your hometown.

Hakodate Main LineYutaka Yamakawa

Hakodate Main Line Yutaka Yamakawa

Set against the Ishikari Plain of Hokkaido, Yutaka Yamakawa’s debut song vividly portrays parting and travel-worn sentiment, captivating listeners with a moving melody that fuses elements of enka and kayōkyoku.

From a quietly flowing introduction to a steadily rising climax, the arrangement beautifully conveys both the grandeur of Japan’s northern lands and the ache of a bittersweet love.

Released in February 1981, the song reached No.

41 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and led to Yamakawa receiving the New Artist Award at the 23rd Japan Record Awards.

Celebrated as a timeless classic, it was performed again at the 54th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2003, allowing many to relive its emotional impact.

Interweaving Hokkaido’s evocative scenery with a tale of heartbreak, this work—paired with a soul-stirring vocal—is a recommended choice for karaoke when you want to share memories.

The Wheat SongMiyuki Nakajima

Miyuki Nakajima “Song of Wheat” Music Video [Official]

This is “Mugi no Uta” (The Song of Wheat), sung by Miyuki Nakajima, a female singer from Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Released in 2014 as her 44th single, the song served as the theme for the drama “Massan,” whose latter half is set in Yoichi, Hokkaido—also known for its whisky.

It’s a heartwarming piece that matches the drama’s world, which portrays the story of a married couple involved in whisky making.

As you listen, you can almost see a vast field of ripened wheat spreading out before your eyes.