![[Let's Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous songs related to festivals.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/AOfaWrBwo7I/maxresdefault.webp)
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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[Enjoy Japanese Festival Songs!] Songs about festivals. Famous festival-related songs (1–10)
hyururira-pappatuki.
It’s a heart-lifting track wrapped in the lively atmosphere of a festival.
Written and composed by tuki.
and released in July 2024, this piece is built around the theme of enjoying life to the fullest and making this very moment shine.
Its up-tempo, catchy melody and repeated phrases stick in your head after just one listen, likely to bring back that festival excitement.
Alongside songs like “Bansanka,” it showcases the breadth of tuki.
’s expressive range and has likely captivated many listeners.
It’s perfect not only for boosting a festive mood, but also for adding color and energy to everyday life.
Just by listening, you’ll find your body moving naturally—and a smile on your face.
A Long, Short FestivalRingo Sheena
The single Nagaku Mijikai Matsuri, released in 2015 by Ringo Sheena.
This song is a duet with Ryosuke Nagaoka, a.
k.
a.
Ukigumo, who is also the guitarist for Tokyo Jihen, the band Sheena belongs to.
It was also used as the theme song for Coca-Cola’s 2015 summer campaign, so many people have likely heard it.
With Japanese lyrics that convey the trademark emotional flair of “Ringo-bushi,” paired with a sound infused with Brazilian music, it’s a number that heightens the festive mood.
Festival MamboHibari Misora
Hibari Misora is a singer whose legacy will be passed down forever.
Her song “Omatsuri Mambo” was released in 1952, and even generations who may not know much about Hibari Misora have probably heard it on TV, in commercials, or as cover versions.
The song is set in the downtown neighborhoods of Tokyo and evokes Edo-born folks who love festivals, with such distinctive characters that you can’t help but get emotionally drawn in—an ultimate festival tune.
It’s also one of Japan’s representative festival songs.
It’s a track that gets not only older listeners but everyone fired up.
festivalSaburō Kitajima
When it comes to festival songs, this is the one that instantly pops into many people’s minds.
“Matsuri,” one of Japan’s most iconic festival songs and a signature track by Saburo Kitajima, was released in 1984.
It has been performed numerous times on NHK’s New Year’s Eve program Kōhaku Uta Gassen and is nationally famous as a song that has even closed the show.
It’s a straightforward festival song infused with the original spirit of Japanese festivals: venerating the gods of the mountains and sea and praying for bountiful harvests and big catches.
Saburo Kitajima’s powerful vocals make it a song that gives energy to people all across Japan.
festivalFujii Kaze
Fujii Kaze, whose unique presence and musicality are irresistibly captivating, is popular across a wide audience.
The song “Matsuri” is the lead track from his second album, LOVE ALL SERVE ALL, released in 2022, and it was put out as an advance digital single.
While the title is “Matsuri” (festival) and the lyrics include chants that evoke a festival atmosphere, it isn’t a straightforward “festival song.” Rather, it uses a festival as a metaphor to sing about views on life and what resides within people.
It’s a track I’d recommend when you’re feeling lost in life.
MATSURI BAYASHIKEYTALK
It’s one of the popular songs by KEYTALK, a four-piece rock band that continues to thrive in the Japanese rock scene.
It’s an uptempo track that always fires up the crowd at live shows, with slap bass and funky guitar cutting that will send your excitement through the roof.
The atmosphere is like a full-on festival! The call-and-response between the two lead vocalists is a lot of fun, and be sure to pay attention to each instrument’s performance as well!
summer festivalWhiteberry
Whiteberry’s 2000 cover of “Natsu Matsuri” became a massive hit, reaching No.
3 on the Oricon singles chart.
The song was originally released in 1990 by JITTERIN’JINN, a band from the ‘Ikaten’ generation, and it was a big hit at the time as well.
It tells the story of memories of going to a summer festival with a girl the narrator had feelings for, and the unspoken emotions of the protagonist are truly heartrending.
With its upbeat, powerful vibe, it’s the perfect track to listen to in the summer!