The Iichiko commercial song. A popular jingle.
Speaking of the TV commercials for Iichiko, the barley shochu from Oita Prefecture, they’ve been on the air for many years.
The cool, subdued narration set against footage from around the world has earned a devoted following.
The music used in Iichiko’s commercials has drawn attention alongside the visuals as well, featuring a variety of songs—primarily by Billy BanBan and Fuyumi Sakamoto, among others.
In this article, we’ll introduce all the songs that have been featured in Iichiko’s commercials so far!
They’re all tracks that really tug at the heartstrings and invite a touch of nostalgia, so take this opportunity to give them another listen!
Iichiko’s commercial songs: popular CM tracks (1–10)
Someday, beyond the rainbowBilly BanBan
The commercial for iichiko, Sanwa Shurui’s flagship product, has been getting attention not only for its beautiful visuals but also for the moving music that gives it a nostalgic feel.
This is the “We Love Sports” version released in the summer of 2024, featuring ocean scenes as well as tennis footage.
The visuals convey a refreshing, summery vibe.
The background music is a familiar song by Billy BanBan, newly produced for this CM: “Itsuka Niji no Mukou e” (Someday Beyond the Rainbow).
It’s a perfect match for iichiko’s commercials—a track that somehow evokes a sense of nostalgia when you listen to it.
A Tale of TwoBilly BanBan
The iichiko commercial “We Love Family,” composed of footage of animal parents and children along with rugby scenes, aired in 2023 and conveys a warm atmosphere, doesn’t it? The background music features “Futari Monogatari,” released by Billy BanBan in 2021 as their first new song in five years.
It’s said to be a song about someone dear to you who is far away, so please listen to it while thinking of someone special in your life.
connectsasanomarie
The Iichiko posters displayed in train stations began in 1984, and it’s said that a new one has been created every month since.
They’ve now produced over 500 posters, and this is the fourth installment in a series that translates the world of those Iichiko posters into a TV commercial.
The ad portrays a story about a carpenter grandfather and the protagonist, and it’s as compelling as a trailer for an animated film.
The background music features “Tsunagu” by Sasanomarii, a singer-songwriter.
Written specifically for this commercial, the song’s lyrics contain a story that connects directly to the content of the ad.
I'm falling in love with you againFuyumi Sakamoto
A song by Fuyumi Sakamoto, a female singer who pursued a career as an enka vocalist while working as an office employee and is now a grand figure in the genre, known to a wide range of listeners.
This track is known as a cover of the brotherly folk duo Billy BanBan, and like the original, it has been used in a commercial for Iichiko, an Oita-made barley shochu.
Unlike Billy BanBan’s version, which is ethereal and spacious, this arrangement feels more intimate and close, revealing the song’s charm from a different angle.
Also, having it sung by a woman changes the nuance of the lyrics—it’s a number you’ll want to compare with the original.
Goodbye, tearsBilly BanBan
Seeing a bird flying through the sky and a horse galloping across the grassland, you can’t help but think for a moment, “Huh? What commercial is this?” But as you watch, it somehow soothes you—that’s the charm of iichiko’s “2019 iichiko Equestrian” commercial.
The product appears near the end of the ad, perched on the horse’s saddle.
It wobbles so much you feel an urge to steady it (lol).
The featured song is Billy BanBan’s “Sayonara Namida” (“Goodbye, Tears”).
As the title suggests, it’s themed around heartbreak, and the lyrics are highly lyrical, steeped in a sense of sorrow.
The melody has a classic kayōkyoku vibe, exuding allure in every section—the A verse, B verse, and chorus.
If you’re into songs with a mature atmosphere or want to reminisce about the bittersweet romances of the past, definitely give it a listen.
I'm falling in love with you againBilly BanBan
This is an iichiko commercial that aired on television in 2009.
Throughout the ad, footage of Arizona’s beautiful natural landscapes is used.
The background music is Billy BanBan’s 31st and 32nd single, “Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru” (“Falling in Love with You Again”).
The cover version by enka singer Fuyumi Sakamoto is also well-known.
The brothers’ distinctive, beautiful harmonies and the spacious, dreamlike tone linger in the ear, and many people probably associate this song with iichiko.
It’s one of Billy BanBan’s signature songs, and it’s no surprise it received a third single release in 2010.
FantasticoZiv Moran
Focusing on iichiko’s catchphrase, “The Napoleon of Downtown,” this commercial features Napoleon introducing a way to enjoy it even more deliciously.
He gently suggests that before drinking iichiko, close your eyes and slowly savor the aroma to bring out a richer taste.
The background music, which evokes the era when such a Napoleon might have lived, is Ziv Moran’s “Fantastico.” With its strongly acoustic feel, the lightness of the sound conveys a hint of folk-music atmosphere, further highlighting the sense of fun.