Classic songs about Nara: Local anthems and popular tracks [2025]
The captivating scenery and historic streets of the ancient capital Nara, along with the daily lives of the people who live there, have stirred the hearts of countless artists and been expressed through music.
From local songs that weave in distinctly Nara elements like the Great Buddha, Sento-kun, and the deer, to lyrical pieces that capture scenes set in Nara, there exists a wide variety of celebrated songs connected to the city.
In this article, we introduce a selection of exquisite tracks that convey Nara’s charm through music.
Please enjoy these pieces that let you feel Nara’s allure through sound, imagining the landscapes as you listen!
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Classic songs about Nara — Local anthems and popular tracks [2025] (1–10)
Travel Longing ~At Ikaruga~Akira Fuse
A nostalgic number in which Akira Fuse’s deep, rich voice soaks into the heart.
Released in 1977, this song pairs lyricist Takashi Matsumoto’s words—overlaying the lingering traces of a bygone love onto the autumn scenery of the ancient capital, Ikaruga—with the singer’s emotive delivery.
Mountain ranges dyed by the setting sun and a sea of pampas grass swaying in the wind—such vivid, beautiful imagery meets Fuse’s expressive vocals to create a world like a single landscape painting.
Listening to this song while traveling through the old capital might make even the most ordinary scenery feel special.
It’s a classic with the power to render your travel memories even more vibrant.
Secret FireflyMiyuki Nagai
Miyuki Nagai’s “Hibotaru” is set in early-summer Nara, overlaying a fleeting love with fireflies dancing in the dark.
The song moves from a flower-scented daytime scene to a night where fireflies take flight, drawing you into a world that feels like reading a short novel.
A Western-style arrangement that goes beyond traditional enka and the aching timbre of the erhu intertwine exquisitely, evoking the smoldering passion of a secret love.
Nagai’s breathy vocals vividly depict the protagonist burdened with growing feelings, tightening the listener’s heart.
The Yamato Road of ReminiscenceYosuke Soda
It’s a song about traveling around the Yamato Road while reminiscing about memories with a lover, characterized by a slightly wistful singing style.
In this video, you can enjoy a variety of scenery as well.
Listening to it makes me feel like going on a trip to the Yamato Road myself.
Classic Songs About Nara: Local Anthems and Popular Tracks [2025] (11–20)
If it’s Sentokun, I know him.Mahoroba Music Hall (Volunteers from the Supporters of the 1300th Anniversary of the Heijō Capital Relocation Festival)
Sento-kun is the mascot character of Nara Prefecture, and because his initial debut stirred up quite a bit of controversy, he’s widely known even outside Nara.
His theme song is this one, “Sento-kun Knows,” and the video is from an event held in Nara Park.
Deer Cracker TwistWakakusa Shikanosuke
One of Nara Prefecture’s specialties is shika-senbei (deer crackers), which were reportedly already being sold in the Edo period.
Many of you have probably experienced giving them to the deer when visiting Nara.
This is a unique song that celebrates the charm of those deer crackers.
Love on the Yamato RoadKaori Mizumori
Yamatoji refers to the road leading to Nara Prefecture, or the roads that pass through Nara Prefecture.
It is mentioned in the Manyoshu, showing that it has been a familiar term since ancient times.
This song is a single by Kaori Mizumori and won the Excellent Work Award at the 57th Japan Record Awards.
That Person’s Yamato RoadKayoko Takita
This is another song themed around the Yamato Road.
The first verse depicts spring, the second early summer, and the third autumn—each verse features a different season.
Also, in that it sings about memories with a lover, it has something in common with “Omo-kage no Yamatoji.”