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

Happy Summer FestivalTEMPURA KIDZ

TEMPURA KIDZ 'Happy Summer Festival'

This is a song by the dance-vocal unit TEMPURA KIDZ that sings about festivals.

The cute, catchy lyrics set to a sparkling sound create a distinctly pop impression.

While the lyrics and music video are inspired by Japanese festivals, the track’s use of electro sounds also gives it the feel of an overseas parade.

It’s an uptempo, fun, and lively song!

Men’s Dream FestivalMika Jinno

(Karaoke) Man's Dream Festival / Mika Shinno

It’s a classic enka song that powerfully captures the heat and excitement of a summer festival.

The lyrics celebrate the bravery of the men carrying the mikoshi and their passion for the festivities.

Vivid festival imagery like chest bindings (sarashi) and twisted headbands (hachimaki) leaves a strong impression.

Mika Shinno’s powerful vocals further amplify the festival’s vibrant energy.

Released in March 1991, the song was also included on the album “Otoko Yume Matsuri: Mika Shinno Best Hits” the same year.

It’s a perfect track not only for festival season, but also when you need a boost of energy.

Just listening to it makes your heart dance and your body start to move—such is the charm of this song.

Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

[MV full] Koi Suru Fortune Cookie / AKB48 [Official]

The choreography was done by Papaya Suzuki.

I hear it was created with the image of a “modern, Japan-style bon odori.” Hearing that, it makes sense—calling it choreography rather than dance feels more accurate.

In other words, the moves are simple enough for anyone—men and women of all ages—to dance, just like the bon odori at festivals.

Gion Festival OndoChiyoko Shimakura

Gion Festival Ondo — Chiyoko Shimakura / Hideo Yamagata

An indispensable song for Kyoto’s bon odori is Gion Matsuri Ondo.

It’s also used during the Gion Festival, Kyoto’s major summer event, and incorporates the festival’s signature “kon-kon chiki-chin” motif.

Released in 1957 as a locally sold record available only in Kyoto, it’s a duet by Chiyoko Shimakura and Hideo Yamagata.

For those living in Kyoto it’s a familiar tune, and for those who once lived there it’s a nostalgic sound.

Be sure to visit the Gion Festival to hear Gion Matsuri Ondo!

Mikoshi RockersKICK THE CAN CREW

KICK THE CAN CREW - Mikoshi Rockers feat. RHYMESTER

A track by KICK THE CAN CREW, a group that could be called one of the driving forces behind Japan’s hip-hop scene.

It’s a collaboration with RHYMESTER, another group leading the scene.

As the title “Mikoshi” suggests, the lyrics are inspired by Japanese festivals, and the seemingly mismatched funky track actually ends up sounding incredibly cool.

fireworks (launched into the sky)DAOKO × Kenshi Yonezu

DAOKO × Kenshi Yonezu 'Uchiage Hanabi' MUSIC VIDEO

This is a song co-created by Kenshi Yonezu and DAOKO as the theme for the film “Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?”.

In the movie’s story, there’s a scene of a fireworks festival where a man and a woman with an indescribable relationship watch the fireworks together, and the poignant lyrics, which evoke the complex emotions that intersect in the main story, really hit home.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when the summer festival season brings fireworks to the sky.

After the FestivalTakuro Yoshida

After the Festival - Takuro Yoshida (Yoshida Takuro)

On the way home from a fun festival, you somehow end up feeling a little lonely, don’t you? Capturing that feeling perfectly is Takuro Yoshida’s song “After the Festival.” It’s included on his 1972 album “Genki Desu.” The melancholic, understated melody heightens that sense of loneliness.

The lyrics reflect on the emptiness that descends after the festivities and the indescribable irritation that follows, pondering how to shake it off.

This song offers comfort for that post-festival sadness that everyone—yourself included—has felt.