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

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?

[Saitama Songs] A wealth of humor-filled classics! Local tunes packed with love for Saitama (41–50)

Folk song of Hannō City, Saitama PrefectureKuuzou Morita, Unosuke Machida, Yuji Yamagishi, Ryosaku Ozawa, Kiyoshi Handa

Folk songs of Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture (Kobiki-uta, Ikada-uta, Umakata-bushi, Bouchi-uta), broadcast on January 19, 1979.
Folk song performers from Hannō City, Saitama Prefecture: Hisazō Morita, Unosuke Machida, Yūji Yamagishi, Ryōsaku Ozawa, Motoyoshi Handa

This is a video titled “Folk Songs of Hanno City, Saitama Prefecture,” which was broadcast on NHK General TV in January 1979 (Showa 54).

It features Kibiki-uta from Kitagawa, Hanno City; Ikada-uta from Shimonaguri, Naguri Village; Nishikawa Makata-bushi from Hanno City; and Bōuchi-uta from Odoko, Hanno City.

These folk songs, sung by tradition bearers, evoke a sense of history even for those unfamiliar with Hanno City.

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The song of Saitama City, “The City of Hope (Yume)”Lyrics by Kuniko Fukuhara / Music by Yūkihide Takakawa

To commemorate the transition to a government-designated city, the lyrics were solicited from the public, and Ms.

Kuniko Fukuhara’s work was selected to create a new city song that would build a fresh image.

The supplementary lyrics and composition were done by Mr.

Yukihide Takakawa from Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture.

Completed in 2003 (Heisei 15), the song was titled “The City of Hope (Yume).” It is currently used as the departure melody on the Keihin-Tohoku Line platforms at JR Saitama-Shintoshin, Yono, Kita-Urawa, and Urawa Stations.

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A Town with a CupolaSayuri Yoshinaga

A Town with a Cupola is a coming-of-age drama set in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture—an iron casting town once known for its many cupolas (iron melting furnaces).

The song “A Town with a Cupola,” with lyrics by Takao Saeki and music by Tadashi Yoshida, is sung by Sayuri Yoshinaga, who appeared in the film as Jun Ishiguro.

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Saitama Prefectural SongNobuo Kishigami, Kotaro Jimbo, Kyosei Akemoto

This is the second official Saitama Prefectural Song, adopted in 1965.

The lyrics, selected through a public contest and written by Nobuwo Kishigami, were supplemented by Kotaro Jimbo, and the composition was completed by Kyosei Akenobo.

Today, it is sung at the start of work at the prefectural government and chanted by supporters of the Saitama Soccer Club (Saitama SC) before matches.

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In conclusion

From humor-filled tunes to grand, heart-stirring songs, we introduced famous tracks related to Saitama.

By experiencing the diverse melodies and lyrics brimming with local pride, perhaps you’ve rediscovered new charms of Saitama Prefecture.

It might be nice to visit Saitama with your favorite Saitama song as your companion.