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[Japanese Folk and Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Masterpieces from Across Japan, Brimming with Local Pride

From north to south, the traditional singing voices passed down across Japan are treasures of each region.

Perhaps you, too, have a memorable song that your grandparents or parents sang to you when you were a child—or one you sang together.

Folk songs, woven with the lives, cultures, and sentiments of their native places, have been sung across generations.

In this article, we introduce a selection of Japanese folk songs that resonate with the heart.

As you listen to the nostalgic melodies of hometowns, let us touch the spirit and landscape of Japan.

Playlist

[Japanese Folk and Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Masterpieces from Across Japan, Brimming with Local Pride
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastShunryō main clauseIsland songs of Amami Ōshima, conveying bonds of sorrow and soul
2eastTinsagu FlowersA heartwarming Okinawan song that conveys parental love and teachings
3eastYasugi-bushiA port town’s traditional performing arts, where melancholy and vitality converge
4eastKawachi OndoThe spirit of Osaka resounds in the Kawachi Ondo!
5eastTakeda LullabyTakeda Lullaby: A story of poverty and melancholy
6eastTsugaru Aiya-bushiA boatman’s song from Kyushu blossoms in Tsugaru
7eastGujo-bushiA folk song from Gujo Hachiman, a wistful tune that longs for one’s hometown.
8eastSoran BushiA powerful folk song that originated in Hokkaido and spread nationwide
9eastAkita Obako BushiA song brimming with the heartfelt local spirit that represents Akita
10eastHakone Packhorse Driver’s SongA folk song that sings of the hardships of travel in the Edo period
11eastHanagasa OndoA traditional folk song from Yamagata—powerful and heartwarming.
12eastIyo-bushiThe charm of the zashiki songs that convey the atmosphere of Matsuyama
13eastYamanaka-bushiA folk song brimming with the charm of Yamanaka Onsen, a wistful melody that stirs the traveler's heart
14eastSetsu ToyamaThe spirit of labor songs born on a ranch in Iwate
15eastTakeda Bushi (Takeda Song)Singing of the spirit of Kai, love for the homeland, and the warrior’s ethos.
16eastAwa Yoshiko melodyFrom Tokushima! Heart-stirring Awa Odori folk songs
17eastKatano-bushiThe charm of Kawachi Ondo, a traditional Bon dance song from the Kawachi region
18eastSano’s seductionTraditional Bon Odori song of Izumisano, a melody that evokes history
19eastNambu Tawatsumi UtaThe Nambu Tawatsumi Song is a celebratory song performed by itinerant entertainers in Aomori.
20eastTankō-bushi (Coal Miner’s Song)Tankō-bushi, a classic Bon Odori song that originated in Fukuoka
21eastGosha DanceThe traditional Ondo of Izumisano, Osaka, playing the melody of the community’s heart.
22eastSumiyoshi OdoriSacred Dedication Dance and Prayers of Sumiyoshi Taisha
23eastSakai SumiyoshiThe shamisen melody that sings of Sumiyoshi’s ambiance
24eastMakio Mountain Nobori-raising OndoThe folk songs of Mt. Makio: the region’s history and people’s prayers
25eastYokoyama OndoKumatori Bon Odori Song: The Allure of Tradition and Change
26eastKashii-san and danceA traditional Bon Odori song from Izumisano, Osaka, conveying a fiery spirit.
27eastKaizuka San’ya OndoA traditional bon dance imbued with the spirit of the Senshu region
28eastKaikake OndoKaikake Bon Odori, music that carries on the region's tradition
29eastSaitaro-bushiKohei FukudaA folk song from Matsushima Bay celebrating a big catch
30eastOedo NihonbashiFORESTAA traditional folk song celebrating the famous sights of the Tokaido
31eastKiryu YagibushiKiryu Yagibushi Liaison Council Select TeamA captivating folk song performance of the Kiryu Yagibushi
32eastAkita OndoJunko SakuradaA folk song of Akita; a tradition stemming from Yoshitaka Satake
33eastYagi-bushiKunisada ChūjiYagibushi Festival, a traditional folk song event of Gunma and Tochigi
34east“Kokiriko” Toyama Prefecture folk songHachinohe Municipal Nejō Junior High School Choir ClubThe folk song “Kokiriko” sung by junior high school students in Hachinohe is moving.
35eastSado OkesaBunzō MurataA Sado folk song, a famous piece that has spread across the country
36eastNambu Cattle-Driving SongA folk song from Iwate, with a powerful woman’s singing voice
37eastTokunoshima Folk Song ‘Dondon Bushi’A famous folk song created by a rōkyoku performer with Japanese drums
38eastJapanese Folk Song MedleyMatsudo Guitar ClubHigh-level amateur folk ensemble is wonderful.
39eastKari Kan Kiri Uta (The Hay-Cutting Song)A child passionately sings a folk song from Miyazaki.
40eastTokunoshima folk song “Waidobushi”A rousing folk song of bullfighting from Amami Tokunoshima
41eastTsuki nu Bishya (Yaeyama folk song)Masaya&YuzoThe Appeal of Yaeyama Folk Songs and BEGIN’s Music
42eastKonpira FunefuneVictor Boys Folk Song SocietyA traditional folk song themed around Kotohira-gu Shrine
43eastKusatsu-bushi (Kusatsu folk song)Nanchi KinryuA folk song sung during yumomi (traditional water-stirring) at Kusatsu Onsen
44eastMogami River Boat SongFumio OtsukaThe Mogami River Boat Song is a folk song that was born in Aterazawa.
45eastDonpan-bushiShigematsu HiranoAkita's Folk Song “Donpan-bushi” and Festival
46eastSoma Bon SongHibari MisoraA folk song from Fukushima, a song of gratitude for a good harvest
47eastSansa ShigureMieko SuzukiA traditional celebratory song from Miyagi, a victory song of the Date army
48eastKaeruda Onsen OndoShakespeare CompanyNew sensation: “Kaeruda Onsen Ondo” by the Sendai theater troupe
49eastKokiriko-bushiMiyuki HayashidoMiyuki Hayashimichi singing the Kokiriko Bushi
50eastTokamachi Kouta (Tokamachi Folk Song)A classic song that sings of Niigata’s charms—a track brimming with hometown pride.
51eastTokunoshima folk song “Rokuchō”The folk song Rokuchō from Amami Tokunoshima is easy to dance to.
52eastTancha-mae BushiTink TinkThe previous verse of Tanchame is a song of Okinawan seaside fishermen.
53eastThirteen SandhillsMimura MichiokaA Tsugaru folk song, a song of Lake Jūsan rich with scenic imagery
54eastKomoro Packhorse Driver’s SongKatsumasa MitsuhashiThe packhorse drivers’ songs evolved into the Oiwake style on the shamisen.
55eastHokkai Bon UtaMichiya MihashiThe Hokkai Bon Uta, which originated in Mikasa, is danced nationwide during Obon.
56eastEsashi OiwakeKiichi HamadaEsashi Oiwake is a traditional folk song of Hokkaido.
57eastMogami River Boat SongHiroyukijoA Yamagata folk song—the melody moves me.
58eastDekansho BushiToshiyuki TsuchitoriThe origins of the traditional folk song Dekansho-bushi from Sasayama
59eastYosakoi Naruko Dance SongJessica ShioyaJessica Shiotani’s breathtaking folk song and dance performance
60eastAsadoya YuntaRimi NatsukawaThe Story of the Okinawan Folk Song “Asadoya Yunta”
61eastMount Bandai of AizuKouta KatsutaroAizu folk songs were popularized nationwide by Kouta Katsutaro.
62eastTokunoshima Folk Song “Hayari-bushi”Eisho KawamotoThe folk songs of Tokunoshima are diverse and captivating.
63eastTokunoshima Folk Song: ‘After Sankyo’Eisho KawamotoTokunoshima folk songs: the essence of romantic love between men and women and of music
64eastTokunoshima folk song “Shimakanchimi-bushi”Eisho KawamotoFolk songs of Tokunoshima interwoven with shamisen and song
65eastHokkai Cod Fishing SongTomohide UmezuAn emotive folk melody wishing for a bountiful cod catch
66eastAmami Island Folk Song: Yoisura-bushiYasuo Kijima, Seiko YamashitaAmami’s “Yoisura-bushi,” a song to protect the sea
67eastTsugaru Shamisen SuiteTakahashi ChikuzanOverwhelming technique and soulful performance of the Tsugaru shamisen
68eastGokayama Folk SongsTraditional folk songs of Gokayama: music that conveys the spirit of the region
69eastToyama Prefectural Folk Song: Ecchu Owara BushiThe charm of Toyama’s traditional folk song “Ecchu Owara-bushi”
70eastOkinawan folk songThe charm of Okinawan folk songs I encountered in Miyakojima
71eastAikawa OndoThe Tradition and Allure of the Aikawa Ondo Dance
72eastIso-bushi (Ibaraki Prefecture folk song)Zashiki songs of the coastal region, popular since the Meiji era.
73eastItsuki LullabyKeiko UedaItsuki Lullaby: A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity
74eastHot Spring Town SongYumura Women’s ChorusA heartwarming classic that sings of the charms of a hot spring town
75eastChakkiri-bushiThe PeanutsA hit song of the new folk genre born in Shizuoka
76eastNoë’s lemmaMitsuru Ito, Goro KagamiOrigin of the folk song “Noe-bushi,” which originated in Mishima
77eastThe Lord of KuwanaMatsuko SatoBanquet and Work Chants of the Gentlemen of Kuwana
78eastKuro Dando-bushiChitose MotoChitose Hajime passionately sings Amami island folk songs
79eastItsuki LullabyYamaguchi YoshikoLullaby of Itsuki Village, Longing for My Hometown
80eastKiso-bushiMasako MoriA folk song from the Kiso region: scenes of river drifting and mountains
81eastEcchu Owara BushiToyoharu EjiriA challenging folk song handed down in Yatsuo, Toyama
82eastTsugaru Jongara-bushiAyako FujiRepresentative folk songs of Tsugaru shamisen
83eastKuroda-bushiAkaska KoumeOriginated from Etchu-raku Imayō, a folk song that began in Fukuoka.
84eastKokiriko-bushiThe allure of Gokayama folk songs, shamisen, and wadaiko (Japanese drums)
85eastSoran BushiTakio ItoA folk song of herring fishing, a labor song from Hokkaido