A classic song that sings of Shiga. The enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan.
It has a long north–south shape, and the climate differs greatly between the north and south.
Even east and west across Lake Biwa have their own distinct local character and culture.
In this article, we introduce a number of songs themed around Shiga, a prefecture with such a rich variety of expressions.
If you’re a resident or live nearby, it might stir a sense of nostalgia.
Take this opportunity to rediscover the charms of Shiga Prefecture.
Also keep an eye on works related to Mount Hiei, which are second only to those about Lake Biwa in number.
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Masterpieces that sing of Shiga: the enduring spirit of our hometown (21–30)
Hikonyan OndoHikonyan
Hikonyan Ondo is a song themed around Hikonyan, the hugely popular character from Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture.
This track, which serves as an introduction to Hikonyan—the character that helped spark the yuru-chara boom—boasts catchy lyrics and a pop melody that make it incredibly approachable.
It not only makes you want to sing along, but the more you listen, the more you’ll want to meet Hikonyan in person.
It feels as if the song perfectly captures that adorable presence—truly a song by Hikonyan, for Hikonyan.
Biwako OndoHideo Murata, Midori Komatsu
Biwako Ondo, sung by enka singer Hideo Murata and singer Midori Komatsu, celebrates the seasonal scenery of Lake Biwa.
The diverse views around the lake throughout the year are all magnificent, expressing the feeling that Lake Biwa truly is Japan’s finest lake.
Set to an ondo rhythm, the song lets you sway along as you take in the imagery of Lake Biwa.
Overflowing with love for Lake Biwa and Shiga, this tune is sure to make you want to visit Shiga to see those sights for yourself!
Chutaro of BambaKiyoshi Hikawa
Banba no Chutaro by Kiyoshi Hikawa portrays the character Banba no Chutaro from the play Mother’s Eyelids, written by novelist and playwright Shin Hasegawa.
Released in 2004, the song won the Gold Prize at the 46th Japan Record Awards.
Banba is a district in Maibara City, Shiga Prefecture.
The lyrics express the story of Mother’s Eyelids—about a man searching for the mother he was separated from in childhood—and Chutaro’s aching, painful feelings for the mother he cannot find.
Just listening to the song makes your heart tighten with the poignancy of that story.
Nagahama, where I want to fall in loveNagahama Business Support Council Youth Division
This song, “Koi Shitaino Nagahama,” was created as a PR video and PR song for Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture.
PR songs are often pretty serious, right? But from the very start, this one makes you feel like “something’s different…” It’s packed to the brim with Nagahama’s charms—historical sites like Nagahama Castle, the Odani Castle ruins, and Mt.
Toragozen; tourist spots like Chikubu Island; and events like the Nagahama Hikiyama Festival.
You can really feel the love for Nagahama, and the fact that the lyrics even flat-out call it “the countryside” makes it feel all the more relatable (lol).
Shiga Prefecture Residents' SongAtsuro Okamoto, Mitsue Nara
The Shiga Prefectural Anthem, “Shiga Kenmin no Uta,” was established in 1954 (Showa 29).
The lyrics were written by Ryo Tadezawa, and the music was composed by Yuji Koseki.
The lyrics were based on selected prize-winning entries from a public contest.
In the same year it was adopted, a record was released featuring Atsuro Okamoto and Mitsue Nara with the Columbia Chorus.
When you think of Shiga, Lake Biwa naturally comes to mind first—along with the surrounding nature and the beauty of the four seasons.
This prefectural song vividly conveys those scenes, allowing the region’s beautiful natural landscape to rise clearly before your eyes.
In conclusion
As expected, many of the songs use Lake Biwa as their theme, but I believe there were also folk songs that are firmly rooted in their local communities.
And even now, new local PR songs and even theme songs for neighborhood supermarkets keep being created.
I’m sure this article helped you discover a new side of Shiga Prefecture.