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] (11–20)
Ancient Capital TourJunko Hirotani
It’s a single released by Junko Hirotani in 1979, and as the title suggests, it’s a song about traveling through Nara while thinking of a former lover.
It seems that many songs themed around the Yamato Road focus on romance.
MahorobaMasashi Sada
It is included on Masashi Sada’s 1979 original album “Yume Kuyo.” The song portrays a romantic relationship between a man and a woman, and is characterized by its motif drawn from Empress Iwahime’s waka poem featured in the Manyoshu.
The album reached number one on the Oricon chart.
If it's the Great Buddha...Nara Children’s Choir Angelica with Masuda
This song was played as the monthly song on the mini-program “Children’s Songs,” which aired on Kansai TV.
Hidenori Masuda of the comedy duo Masuda Okada wrote and composed the song and also participated as a rapper.
The clay animation of the Great Buddha is another highlight.
Spring Fields of NaraSayuri Yoshinaga
This is the song included on the B-side of Sayuri Yoshinaga’s single “From Tenmabashi,” released in 1965.
It drew attention in 1987 when Sanma Akashiya featured it on the TV show “Waratte Iitomo!,” and the reissued record that same year sold over 100,000 copies.
Butts Buddhist statueSelf-styled Tourism Association
Formed by Jun Miura and Hajime Anzai, who are known as fans of Buddhist statues, the unit “Katte ni Kanko Kyokai” (Self-Styled Tourism Association) creates unofficial tourism posters and local songs across Japan.
This track is included on “Katte ni Kanko Kyokai Vol.
2,” released in 2004.
Yamatoji RhapsodySakaeko Kawamoto
It’s a cheer song created to commemorate the 1,300th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Heian, released in 2007.
The singer is San’eiko Kawamoto, a local native who is also known as the “Diva of Nara.” San’eiko Kawamoto has performed many other songs related to Nara, such as “Welcome to Heijō.”
Iconic Songs About Nara: Local Anthems and Popular Tracks [2025] (21–30)
Shunie (Omizutori)Masashi Sada
“Shunie,” included on the 1993 album Aihimiteno, is a piece that unfolds a solemn and profound worldview inspired by Omizutori, the traditional ritual at Todaiji in Nara.
Its majestic sound evokes vivid images of Nigatsudo, with blazing torch flames and sutra chants reverberating through the hall.
Listening to this track draws your heart into a sacred space layered with the weight of history and the prayers of countless people.
Combined with Masashi Sada’s serene yet powerful vocals, conveying this austere atmosphere in song is no easy task; it calls not only for technique but also for a deep understanding of the piece’s spiritual world.
Why not first close your eyes, listen intently, and surrender yourself to the prayers echoing through the ancient capital’s night?