A classic song about Miyazaki: a heartfelt ode to one’s hometown [2025]

Southern ParadiseEmi Kawabata

Kayō Spot: Southern Paradise / Oyodo River Sentiments

Even now, it would sound perfectly natural as background music on some beach somewhere.

The song, full of tropical vibes, is a PR tune for Miyazaki Prefecture in J-pop, but it doesn’t really mention many famous tourist spots.

Still, it wraps up by cheerfully promoting the area with the line, “I love Miyazaki, a shining paradise.”

Skyline of MemoriesAtsushi Mitaka

Skyline of Memories

There was a time when, whether it was for a field trip or a school excursion by bus, the bus guide would sing and the students would join in.

This song brings back memories of those nostalgic scenes.

Part of the lyrics quotes the German poet’s “At the Mountain’s Summit.” While that poem expresses a longing for the mountains as an ideal land, this song sings of feelings for one’s youth.

The Two of the Yoshito LineShinobu Hiro

Two on the Yoshimatsu Line / Shinobu Hiro [Official] Japanese enka song

The Yoshimatsu Line runs from Yoshimatsu Station in Aira District, Kagoshima Prefecture, to Miyakonojo in Miyazaki Prefecture.

Together with the section between Yatsushiro Station and Yoshimatsu Station on the Satsuma Line, it’s nicknamed the Ebino Plateau Line, which sounds quite romantic.

The song expresses the loneliness of a tender first love fading away on a school commuter train—an enka-style youth anthem.

Don't cry.Kuroki Sisters

Kuroki Sisters “Nakan to yo” — Released on Wednesday, January 27, 2010!

Mika, the older sister, won first place in the national folk song competition in 1983, and her younger sister, Chiharu, was crowned Miss Miyazaki in 1985—together they are a beautiful and talented pair of enka singers.

Their song “Nakan to yo,” by the sisters from Miyazaki Prefecture, from the mood of the lyrics, portrays a woman betrayed by a man, singing of Hakata, Nagasaki, and finally Miyazaki.

Yet Kyushu women bravely sing of heartbreak with the phrase “Nakan to yo” (“I won’t cry”).

Oni doing the laundryMiyazaki Tourism Association

Miyazaki Prefecture, Miyazaki City [Horikiri Pass, Nichinan Coast, Oni no Sentakuita (Devil’s Washboard)] Coast

The wave-like rock formations surrounding Aoshima in Miyazaki Prefecture are a scenic spot known as the “Ogre’s Washboard.” This is a tourism PR video produced together with 1,000 local citizens.

As for the lyrics—yes, it certainly does look like a washboard, but starting with “I want to wash the ogre’s underwear” is a bit questionable.

Maybe it would have been better to stick with just the line “Let’s cleanse our hearts in Aoshima.”

This is NisitachiMiyazaki Tourism Association

Featured on Hirunandesu! Can you tell who it is? [Miyazaki Prefecture Nishitachi CM]

Miyazaki Prefecture has the highest number of snack bars in Japan, and especially Nishitachibori Street—nicknamed “Nishitachi” in Miyazaki City—is the prefecture’s largest entertainment district.

However, regional nightlife districts don’t tend to be very well-known.

To address this, the Miyazaki City Tourism Association produced a PR video.

You can even learn about Nishitachi’s history from the way the woman’s kimono obi is tied at the front.

The dance by the beautiful actress Ayano Kudo and a mysterious man is amusing, and if you’re wondering “Who is he?”, it turns out to be Nagano, a comedian from Miyazaki Prefecture.

Since the shoot was kept secret, it seems they had to be extremely careful.

Tōi Misaki Travel SentimentKazuo Funaki

Tōi Misaki Travel Sentiment

Kazuo Funaki’s local-themed song has a very distinctive charm.

Although the track itself was released in 1997 and is not from the Showa era, its lyrics resemble a haiku with a five-seven-five rhythm.

It captures the atmosphere of Cape Toi, and Funaki’s uniquely clear, expansive voice—untouched by age—is as strong as ever.