RAG MusicJapanese Songs
Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs
search

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

Hokkaido, a land surrounded by grand, beautiful, and sometimes harsh nature, has often been featured as the setting in songs—especially kayōkyoku and enka—from the Showa era to the present day.

Artists and bands from Hokkaido sometimes write songs about their own hometown, and there are countless masterpieces themed around the northern land.

This time, we’ll introduce a selection of songs connected to Hokkaido, regardless of genre or era.

From famous hits to hidden gems, give them a listen while picturing the scenery of Hokkaido!

Playlist

[2025] Masterpieces that sing of Hokkaido: The enduring heart of our homeland passed down in song
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastLAT.43°N 〜forty-three degrees north latitude〜DREAMS COME TRUEThe vocalist of DREAMS COME TRUE...
2eastFrom the North Country: From the Distant LandMasashi SadaWidely known as the theme song for the drama “From the North Country”…
3eastan insanely cute galMasayoshi OishiWith lyrics that skillfully incorporate the Hokkaido dialect, and...
4eastSupernova Express 2016GLAYVocalist TERU and guitarist TAKU...
5eastIn the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthChiharu MatsuyamaA leading representative of Japan, born in Ashoro, Ashoro District, Hokkaido…
6eastI long for Southern HokkaidoYudai KoyamaSet in the majestic southern Hokkaido region, leaving one’s hometown and...
7eastNorth AirportYin Shuying Katsura, Keisuke HamaSet against the vast land of Hokkaido, in 1987...
8eastCape ErimoShinichi Mori‘…’, which can be considered one of enka singer Shinichi Mori’s signature songs,
9eastWakkanaiGalileo GalileiA nostalgia-filled rock song set in Wakkanai, Hokkaido…
10eastNorth TavernTakashi HosokawaEnka singer Takashi Hosokawa from Makkari Village, Abuta District, Hokkaido...
11north_eastHokkaido for TwoCountry GirlsA pastoral can that evokes the vast land of Hokkaido...
12south_eastWoman of HakodateSaburō KitajimaSet in a port town in Hokkaido, it depicts the subtleties of people's hearts and desires...
13eastShiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Hisaya MorishigeActor, voice actor, comedian, and former NHK…
14north_eastToday’s soupYo Oizumi with STARDUST REVUEBorn from a popular program on the AIR-G’ radio station…
15south_eastWakkanai BluesMitsuru Hara and Channel FiveSet in Wakkanai, the northernmost city of Hokkaido, with its magnificent nature and...
16eastIshikari ElegyMirei KitaharaEnka singer Mirei Kitahara’s “Ishikari Banka”…
17eastSapporo ElegyHiroshi TakeshimaSet in the northern city of Sapporo, a heartrending love story unfolds...
18north_eastI like Sapporo.Yuji Mori and Southern CrossA masterpiece that splendidly encapsulates the charm and atmosphere of Sapporo.
19south_eastDistant StarMikuni ShimokawaMikuni Shimokawa, who is from Shinhidaka, Hidaka District, Hokkaido, is...
20eastHakodate Main LineYutaka YamakawaSet against the Ishikari Plain of Hokkaido, it evokes the emotions of parting and the melancholy of travel...
21eastThe Wheat SongMiyuki NakajimaThis is female singer Naka, who hails from Sapporo, Hokkaido…
22eastTsugaru Strait – Winter SceneSayuri IshikawaThe enka classic “Tsugaru Strait…” sung by Sayuri Ishikawa
23north_eastfreezing pointKoji TamakiAs the vocalist of Anzen Chitai, and as a solo artist…
24south_eastsetting sunTakuro YoshidaThe work “Fallen Leaves,” created with lyricist Osami Okamoto…
25eastBallad of the Rainbow and SnowToi et MoiThe theme song of the Sapporo Olympics held in 1972…
26eastThe City of Love, SapporoYujiro IshiharaBy the Showa-era icon and star Yujiro Ishihara...
27eastCapital, oh springtimeIn the dormitory song of Keiteki Dormitory at Hokkaido University, the first...
28eastCape SoyaDa CapoDa Capo, a mixed-gender folk duo, sings…
29eastThe End of the JourneyKiyoshi AokiSinging of Hokkaido’s beautiful nature and the hearts of its people…
30eastOur pathIn 2018, one ... since it was named “Hokkaido.”
31eastWinds of the Future: Toward the Road AheadSnow Miku (Hatsune Miku)Crypton, headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido, ...
32north_eastHokkaido ShararaCountry GirlsCentered around Ms. Suzune Toda, who hails from Sapporo City, Hokkaido…
33south_eastTravel Sentiments of IwaobetsuMuneyuki SatoSet in Shiretoko, Hokkaido, it is sung with a mellow, heartfelt tone...
34south_eastNight of IomanteHisao ItoAkira Fuse's fifth release in 1966...
35south_eastMisty Lake MashuAkira FuseAkira Fuse's fifth release in 1966...
36north_eastHakodate Night ViewKonomi MoriA grand work with the night view of Hakodate, Hokkaido as its main theme…
37south_eastCape TachimachiMasako MoriA song released in 1982 that Hokkaido Hakodate...
38north_eastLake FurenKeisuke YamauchiSinging of the beautiful scenery woven by Hokkaido’s nature...
39north_eastTo the northFour SeasonsHokkaido, where harsh cold and gentle warmth coexist...
40south_eastThe Northern LandSaburō KitajimaThe magnificent natural landscape of Hokkaido, the hometown of Saburo Kitajima…
41eastAbashiri PrisonKen TakakuraThis, known as a classic set in Hokkaido...
42eastWhite RoadGLAYA rock [band/group] with three of its four members from Hokkaido…
43north_eastOtaru no hito yoMasayoshi Tsuruoka and Tokyo RomanticaMasayoshi Tsuruoka and the Tokyo Romances, released in 1967...
44south_eastSōran Migratory BirdsThe Komadori SistersMagnificently capturing Hokkaido’s grand landscapes and the sentiments of travelers, it splendidly...
45north_eastThe Legend of the Crimson Lily of the ValleyLovelyzThe duo Love..., who debuted in 1978
46north_eastFirst Love TrainKiyoshi Hikawa“First Love Train” is by enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa...
47south_eastWhite City SapporoAnn LewisAnn Lewis, released in 1971...
48north_eastCape of Human KindnessTunnelsThe ninth ... released by Tunnels in 1986...
49south_eastNorthern Sea VerseAine HonmaSet in Ms. Aine Honma’s hometown of Hokkaido, the story follows fishermen...
50eastFighters’ AnthemShudai UesugiIn the official cheer song of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters...
51north_eastMelancholy SapporoKeiko Matsuzaka & Keisuke HamaThe du... by actress Keiko Matsuzaka and composer Keisuke Hama
52south_eastTraveler of the NorthYujiro IshiharaLove in the northern land, a melancholy masterpiece, the soul of Yujiro
53north_eastAh, SusukinoS/mileageBefore S/mileage changed their name to ANGERME…
54south_eastNight in KushiroKenichi Mikawa
Night in KushiroKenichi Mikawa
Kenichi Mikawa’s 1968 release, his 1...
55south_eastBecoming a Thousand WindsMasafumi Akikawa
Becoming a Thousand WindsMasafumi Akikawa
A Thousand Winds has become a topic of conversation in the United States...