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

[Songs of Saitama] A Wealth of Humor-Filled Classics! Local Anthems Packed with Love for Saitama

Accompanist / Piano InstructorYuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

Did you know Saitama Prefecture boasts a wealth of charming, iconic songs? From local tunes to nationwide hits, there’s a remarkable variety of music themed around Saitama.

Not only do these songs capture the cityscapes, culture, and everyday lives of its people, but many also playfully weave in “self-deprecating” humor—born from Saitama’s frequent appearances near the bottom of national “attractiveness” rankings—resulting in works that are irresistibly funny.

This time, we’ll introduce some of these Saitama-related tracks.

Through music, why not experience Saitama’s climate and warmth of its people—and the local pride of residents who love it, quirks and all, even if it’s a bit on the plain side?

[Songs of Saitama] A wealth of humor-filled classics! Local tunes packed with love for Saitama (21–30)

Roar, Lions!Hiroaki Narita, Seibu Lions Support Choir

Roar, Lions (Saitama Seibu Lions Fight Song)

Roar, Lions — Hiroaki Narita, Seibu Lions Cheer Choir

Replacing the beloved “Wakaki Shishi-tachi,” which had been the Seibu Lions’ fight song until 1997, a new anthem, “Hoero Lions,” performed by the Blue Megaphones, was born.

It is also used as the departure melody at platforms 1 and 2 of Seibu Sayama Line’s Nishi-Tokorozawa Station and at Seibu-Kyujomae Station.

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Star of ŌmiyaHayato Sasaki

Ōmiya Station and Surroundings Image Song [Star of Ōmiya]—a divisive track.

Hayato Sasaki, the star of Ōmiya

This is “Omiya no Star” by Hayato Sasaki, a song about the area around Omiya Station.

It seems to be gradually gaining popularity among locals, and I’ve heard some people even sing it at karaoke in snack bars near Omiya Station.

Opinions are divided, but since everyone has their own attachment to their hometown, local songs in particular may tend to elicit differing views.

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Woman boarding from Omiya StationYutaka Akiba & Alon Knights

Woman boarding from Omiya Station

A woman, Akiba Yutaka, boards at Ōmiya Station & Alon Knights

This is “The Woman Boarding from Ōmiya Station,” with lyrics by Daizō Saitō and music by Akihito Shikata, created in 1982 for Akiniba Yutaka & The Arrow Knights.

Akiniba Yutaka & The Arrow Knights is a mood kayō chorus group active since 1973, whose members are all from Hokkaidō.

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Kasukabe SambaCherish

Cherish Kasukabe Samba

Kasukabe Samba Cherish

“Kasukabe Samba” by Cherish, a husband-and-wife duo formed in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, in 1968.

It’s a local song from Kasukabe City in Saitama Prefecture, but depending on the generation, some people know it and others don’t.

I’ve heard that in the past, some schools even danced to it at school events.

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primroseChika Ari

Chika in yellow♪ Primrose♪ With color-changing captions

Among a thousand cherry blossoms, there is yellow.

This is “Sakurasō” by the singer Yuki Chihana from Fukuoka Prefecture.

It was also performed at the Saitama Tourism Association’s Sakurasō Festival, an event held at the Tajimagahara primrose habitat in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, which is designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan.

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Naosane-bushiHiroshi Kurihara

Naosanemushi / Naosanebushi YouTube

Naozane Fushi Hiroshi Kurihara

Naozane Kumagai was a military commander born in the Heian period, based in what is now Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture.

The folk song “Naozane-bushi” celebrates him.

It’s said that some elementary schools in Kumagaya dance to Naozane-bushi at their sports festivals.

He was commonly known as Jirō, and a bronze statue of him stands at the north exit of JR Kumagaya Station.

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Ōmiya Station is a place for farewells.Akira Kazemai

Akira Kazemai — Original: Omiya Station is the Station of Partings “Eiji Misaki’s Only Disciple”

Omiya Station is a farewell station — Fu-mai Akira

The enka singer Eiji Misaki studied under Ichiro Fujiyama, a singer considered the face of NHK and one of Japan’s most representative vocalists.

Eiji Misaki was the only disciple recognized by Ichiro Fujiyama, and the only disciple recognized by Eiji Misaki is Akira Kazemai, who sings “Omiya Station wa Wakare Eki” (Omiya Station Is the Station of Parting).

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