Introducing Classic Songs About Shizuoka: Local Anthems and Popular Hits [2025]

Descending the Tenryū RiverIchimaru

Descending the Tenryū River

This is a signature song by Ichimaru, a renowned geisha singer who also served as the 17th head of the Nakamura school of Edo kouta, released in the early Showa era.

Its theme is the majestic descent of the Tenryu River, which runs from her hometown of Nagano through Shizuoka to the Pacific Ocean.

The lively tones woven by shamisen and shakuhachi match perfectly with Ichimaru’s glossy, soaring vocals.

You can almost see the scene of the raft forging ahead through the spray right before your eyes.

The cheerful calls, tinged with a certain nostalgia, seem to convey the energy of people from that time.

Song of Tojin O-Kichi (Akegarasu Edition)Fujimoto Fumiyoshi

Song of Tojin Okichi, Akegarasu Edition (Fujimoto Fumikichi)

This is “The Song of Tojin Okichi (Ake-garasu Version),” sung by Fujimoto Fumiko, celebrated as the “Nightingale Geisha.” Born as the theme song for a 1930 film, it is set in Shimoda Port at the end of the Edo period and portrays the heartrending fate of a young woman.

The emotive vocals, the wistful timbre of the shamisen, and the modern piano accompaniment blend exquisitely.

You can almost see the scenes—the rain-veiled harbor and camellia blossoms falling in fleeting beauty—and feel your chest tighten with the heroine’s sorrow.

A masterpiece deeply rooted in Shizuoka’s history, it is still lovingly passed down and sung at local festivals today.

Ooi Stalker OntaroKiyoshi Hikawa

Kiyoshi Hikawa “Ooi Okkake Onjiro” – Japan Air Self-Defense Force Band

This is a single by Kiyoshi Hikawa released in 2001.

It peaked at number 8 on the Oricon chart and won the Gold Award at the 43rd Japan Record Awards.

With this song, Kiyoshi Hikawa performed at the 52nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

There is a monument inscribed with the song’s lyrics on the banks of the Ōi River in Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Crossing Amagi PassSayuri Ishikawa

Crossing Amagi Pass

This is one of Sayuri Ishikawa’s signature songs, about Mount Amagi—one of Japan’s One Hundred Famous Mountains rising in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Released in 1986, it won the Gold Prize at that year’s Japan Record Awards.

Sayuri Ishikawa has also performed this song many times on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The Dancing Girl of IzuMomoe Yamaguchi

Momoe Yamaguchi - The Izu Dancer (with lyrics)

Yasunari Kawabata’s representative work The Izu Dancer is a novel set on the Izu Peninsula.

It has been adapted into films many times, and this song was the theme for the 1974 film, sung by Momoe Yamaguchi, who starred in it.

It was included as the B-side of Fuyu no Iro (Winter’s Color).

Elegy of the Hot Spring TownToshiro Omi

Amateur singing with self-accompaniment: Yuno-machi Elegy by Toshiro Omi

It is a song themed around Ito Onsen in Ito City and is one of Toshiro Omi’s signature works.

Released in 1948, it became a hit, selling 400,000 copies.

The music was composed by Masao Koga, and the lyrics were written by Toshio Nomura.

There is also a film titled “Yunomachi Elegy” that is based on this song.

Heavenly LeafAyaka Yoshioka

Heavenly Leaf

AiKA Yoshioka, a native of Kakegawa City, created “Amahā” as a heartfelt tribute to her hometown.

It’s a folk-style song filled with a warmly enveloping feel, as if you were standing in springtime tea fields.

Serving also as the image song for the Kakegawa tea brand “Amahā,” its simple, gentle sound is captivating, conjuring scenes of mild sunshine and blooming flowers before your eyes.

Yoshioka’s pure, unadorned vocals layer with the chorus of many fans to weave a soundscape like sun-dappled light filtering through leaves.

Just listening loosens the heart and brings a calm moment.

You can sense the rich blessings of Shizuoka’s nature melting into the melody.