Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

Songs related to Mie Prefecture. Beloved local tunes of Mie that continue to be cherished.

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.

Mie Prefecture is a place where the tradition of pouring feelings for one’s hometown and its landscapes into song still remains strong.

From the historic Ise Grand Shrine and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, to Ago Bay famed for its pearls, and the majestic Suzuka Mountains, Mie’s songs have been nurtured by its rich nature and culture.

From nostalgic children’s songs and moving folk tunes to contemporary local anthems, we bring you music that carries a variety of sentiments.

Are there any songs you know that are connected to Mie Prefecture? Songs rooted in a place are filled with a charm that makes you want to hum along.

Songs related to Mie Prefecture: Beloved local tunes of Mie (31–40)

The Sea of MieMiyuki Murata

Mie no Umi by Murata Miyuki

Mie no Umi, Murata Miyuki

In Mie Prefecture, the sea is, as expected, indispensable.

The title is straightforward—“The Sea of Mie”—and the song delivers a contemplative enka centered on the sea that binds fates, featuring the Meoto Iwa rocks in Ise, a woman’s feelings, a man’s position, and the nature of marriage.

It might be a bit challenging for younger listeners.

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Shine, Shiromochi-kunNanako Katsuragawa

Shiromochi-kun (Theme Song) Shine, Shiromochi-kun / Yuru-chara of Tsu City, Mie Prefecture

Shine, Shiromochi-kun Nanako Katsuragawa

Another delightfully quirky yuru-chara has made an appearance.

I was sure their local specialty was rice cakes, but it turns out I was completely wrong.

It’s a chubby little spirit inspired by the banner of Lord Todo Takatora of Tsu City in Mie Prefecture, which features three round mochi.

For some reason it wears a helmet with rabbit ears—mysterious, but it’s an officially recognized character.

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Tsutsumin's ThemeTsu Gyoza Elementary School students

Tsutsumin's Theme

Tsutsumin's Theme: Tsu Gyoza Elementary School Children

Tsu City in Mie Prefecture really has a lot of characters, doesn’t it? Utsunomiya and Hamamatsu are known nationwide for battling it out for first and second place in gyoza consumption, but I didn’t know Tsu City also prides itself on gyoza.

Why “Tsutsumin”? It comes from combining tsutsumu (to wrap) gyoza with the “tsu” from Tsu City.

The character has no gender, and the title is “Tsu City Local Gourmet Director.” The gyoza that children sing about sounds delicious.

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Love Song of ShimaKeiko Matsuyama

Keiko Matsuyama “Shima no Koiuta” ♪ cover by Tsai Shufen

Shima’s Love Song Keiko Matsuyama

As far as I can tell from listening to the song, the protagonist is an ama (female diver).

It’s a cute song about unrequited love.

You can sense the innocence of a 17-year-old who harvests pearls, waiting for a letter from someone who traveled to Shima.

The Shima Peninsula has the most ama divers in Japan.

Their ages range widely from young to elderly, but the way they dive to the seafloor without hesitation is truly impressive.

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My hometown, the land of IgaYuko Mita

Ninja Hattori-kun: My Hometown, the Land of Iga

My hometown, Iga no Kuni — Yuko Mita

Since it’s a nostalgic anime song, the audio quality is quite poor.

As you know, Ninja Hattori-kun is an Iga ninja skilled in ninjutsu.

Iga City in Mie Prefecture is the birthplace of the Iga-ryu ninja, and even “Hattori-kun” came up to Tokyo.

Iga City promotes itself with themes like the ninja homeland and retro town strolls.

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Songs related to Mie Prefecture. Beloved local songs of Mie (41–50)

Song of IseHideshi Ito

Song of Ise by Hideshi Ito (Ise City, Mie Prefecture)

Ise Song Hideshi Ito

Hideshi Ito is a singer-songwriter who performs songs themed around the Tokai region.

His song about Ise features many evocative locations in its music video, such as Okage Yokocho and the Setagawa River.

Okage Yokocho is lined with shops that evoke Japan’s good old days, and right across from it is the Ise Grand Shrine, so there’s no shortage of themes to draw from.

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Love Song of ShimaKaori Tachibana

Love Song of Shima

Shima’s Love Song Kaori Tachibana

Set against the scenic backdrop of Ise-Shima, the PV features beautifully clear blue skies and a blue sea.

Although it’s Kaori Tachibana’s local song for Mie Prefecture, “Shima no Koika” is a powerful enka about a woman traveling alone.

There’s also another song titled “Shima no Koiuta,” but it’s a completely different piece.

That’s how significant a tourist destination Ise-Shima is.

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