[Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.
When you think of summer festivals, there are so many things to enjoy—fireworks, food stalls, and more.
And at Japanese festivals, mikoshi (portable shrines) and bon odori (bon dances) are essential, too.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs related to these festivals! When you hear “festival-themed songs,” you might think of a lot of enka, but we’ve picked tracks across a wide range of genres—J-pop, rock, idol music, and more—that kids can get excited about, with modern touches woven in as well.
These songs are perfect companions for festivals, and there are also tracks that let you soak up the festival mood or savor the afterglow.
Be sure to check out some festival tunes that match your taste!
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[Let’s Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Classic tracks related to festivals (61–70)
After the FestivalBase Ball Bear
This is a song by Base Ball Bear that evokes the lingering afterglow of a summer festival.
Released in November 2006 as the lead track from their major-label debut album “C,” it was used as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s music program “JAPAN COUNTDOWN” in November 2006.
The lyrics skillfully capture the loneliness and wistfulness that follow a festival, and the refreshing melody that signals the end of summer really resonates.
Beautifully portraying the fleeting brilliance of youth and the quiet that follows, this track is also known as a staple crowd-pleaser at Base Ball Bear’s live shows.
It’s a recommended song for anyone who wants to bask in the afterglow of summer’s end or a festival’s aftermath.
Kawachi Otoko-bushiMitsuko Nakamura
When it comes to signature songs by Mitsuko Nakamura, an enka singer from Higashi-Osaka, “Kawachi Otoko Bushi” tops the list.
Released as a single in 1989, it’s especially popular in the Kansai region.
It’s an enka number that incorporates the rhythm of the Kawachi Ondo and is often used for Bon Odori dances.
In 2008, voice actress and singer Nana Mizuki covered “Kawachi Otoko Bushi” at an event, and the performance was included on the limited-edition DVD of her album ULTIMATE DIAMOND.
If you head out to a summer festival, be sure to join the Bon Odori and listen to see if “Kawachi Otoko Bushi” comes on!
Wind FestivalYoichi Sugawara
When I’m sad, I close my eyes and remember autumn in Yatsuo, Toyama Prefecture.
Beginning with such a scene, Yoichi Sugawara’s song is a classic that conveys the allure of Japanese festivals.
It voices a yearning for the Owara Kaze no Bon festival and paints a fantastical world.
First broadcast in 1989 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” the piece features lyrics and composition by Rei Nakanishi.
The lyrics, which invite those who are sorrowful to the town of Yatsuo, carry a message that resonates with many.
It’s a recommended track when you want to savor the atmosphere of a festival or listen to a song that speaks to the heart.
HANABIMr.Children
It’s one of Mr.
Children’s signature songs, evoking the atmosphere of summer festivals that are inseparable from Japan’s summertime.
It speaks of parting with the lost “you,” and the sorrow and hope felt through that farewell.
The lyrics are striking for their focus on life’s choices and sacrifices—the idea that to gain something, one must give something up.
Released in September 2008, it was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Lifesaving.” It’s recommended for when you want to linger in the afterglow of a festival or when you find yourself at a crossroads in life.
Soran Festival SongYoshimi Tendo
This is a song by Yoshimi Tendo that directly captures the atmosphere of Japanese festivals.
It depicts gratitude toward festivals and the strength of people who face the harshness of nature.
Featuring distinctive calls reminiscent of the traditional Hokkaido fishermen’s song “Soran Bushi,” it has a powerful resonance that touches listeners’ hearts.
Released in November 2015, it was also used as a tie-in for NHK Your Song, commemorating the 80th anniversary of NHK radio broadcasting.
This work is recommended when you want to feel the bustle of a festival or experience Japan’s rich nature and culture.
All of the YouthFujifabric
It’s a classic summer song by Fujifabric.
It reminds me of summer festivals that start in the evening.
Not the ones I went to in elementary or high school, but the ones from when I was in junior high.
It doesn’t feel purely innocent.
I think that’s because the lyrics have a slightly more mature vibe.
HANABIAI
“HANABI” by AI, a singer known for her powerful vocals, is a perfect track for summer festivals and fireworks displays.
The lyrics carry a strong message: launch your hardships and worries like fireworks and let them disappear.
Its EDM-flavored, upbeat rhythm feels great and will have you grooving just by listening!