[Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.

Raging Taiko Drum ~Including 'Outlaw for Life'~Fuyumi Sakamoto

Abare Daiko -Muhou Ichidai Iri-

With its soul-stirring taiko drums and Fuyumi Sakamoto’s powerful vocals, this track hits with overwhelming intensity.

Released in March 1987, the song marked her brilliant debut, sweeping numerous newcomer awards, and can rightly be called a masterpiece in enka history.

The lyrics, set against quintessential Japanese scenes like life’s resolve and Kyoto’s Gion summer festival, portray a man’s way of living as if his very soul were ablaze—igniting the listener’s heart.

Re-recorded in September 2008 with a subtitle, it has become indispensable in her live performances and enjoys passionate support.

It’s the perfect song for moments when you want to feel the exhilaration of a festival and a passion rising from deep within.

Summer Love SensationMacaroni Enpitsu

macaroni empitsu “Summer Love Sensation” MV

It’s a Macaroni Enpitsu number that sparkles like a summer festival and stirs up memories of a tender first love! With scenes of yukata and fireworks, it captures the sweet-and-sour beginning and end of a romance in a catchy melody that really amps up the excitement of summer.

Released in August 2017 as their first CD single, the track is also included on their album CHOSYOKU from the same year.

Why not give it a listen on your way to a festival or when you want to savor the lingering afterglow of summer?

festivalFour Musicians (Shinobue Ensemble)

Omatsuri

Amid the dazzling atmosphere of a festival, you suddenly find yourself feeling alone.

This work captures that delicate emotional landscape.

The track appears on the 1974 album “Isshoku Sokuhatsu,” and it’s an epic piece running a full 11 minutes.

Give it a listen when you want to quietly savor the afterglow of a festival, or on a night when you’d like to be alone with your thoughts.

It will surely keep you company at heart.

Let's dance, Ondo!

Let's dance, Ondo!

This is a participatory Bon Odori song that everyone can enjoy moving their bodies to.

The comical vocals and lively rhythm combine to create an atmosphere that naturally makes you want to dance as you listen.

The choreography that matches the lyrics is easy to follow, making it perfect for getting everyone excited at preschools or local summer festivals.

With moves like fireworks and hand claps, you’ll listen on with anticipation, wondering what comes next.

The instrumental tones are vibrant, and the balance with the vocals is exquisite.

A major appeal is that children can shout along, move their bodies, and have fun together.

Whether dancing in yukata or hero costumes, this song lets you fully feel the bustle of summer.

Samama Festival!Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Samama Festival!

A refreshing track by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE packed with the lively spirit of summer festivals.

Its uplifting melody and energetic sound feel great, letting you fully savor the excitement of the coming summer.

日本工学院のCMテーマソングおよびテレビ朝日『musicるTV』のオープニングテーマに起用され、夏の定番として多くの人々の心をつかんだ。

This song features a pop arrangement that shines on summer stages and rhythms that heighten the festive mood.

Why not add it to your playlist as a track that will boost your energy in the hot season?

Hurray for the festival!kururi

Hurray for the festival!

Quruli, a rock band that represents Kyoto.

This irresistibly catchy song, “Omatsuri Wasshoi,” sticks with you after just one listen and is included on Quruli’s sixth album, “NIKKI,” released in 2005.

Speaking of festivals, you think of mikoshi portable shrines—and the chant shouted while carrying them, “wasshoi,” appears throughout the lyrics, amping up the festive mood.

It conveys the exhilaration of a festival, while also capturing that inexpressible, slightly chaotic feeling unique to such occasions.

Once you hear it, you’ll find it stuck in your head and catch yourself humming along, for sure (lol).

Sound of SummerGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Summer Sound

If you’re thinking, “This is the summer I’ll finally tell the person I like how I feel,” I recommend GReeeeN’s Natsu no Oto (Sound of Summer).

Released in 2015 as a digital-only single, it was featured in Kirin’s Namacha campaign and is also included on the best-of album C, D desu to!?.

Just listening to scenes like picking out a yukata for your special someone before the big event of watching fireworks together will fill you with that sweet, bittersweet feeling.

Give Natsu no Oto a listen to summon the courage to confess!