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

Famous songs and local tunes that sing of Wakayama: melodies that carry on the spirit of our hometown.

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.

When you hear Wakayama, does any song come to mind? Blessed with a warm climate and abundant nature, Wakayama Prefecture has many heartwarming songs that celebrate its charm.

From sentimental enka that evoke the plum-growing villages, to lyrical pieces about the sacred sites of Kumano, youthful songs set against the beaches of Shirahama, and PR tunes packed with the appeal of Wakayama’s famous tourist spots.

In this article, we introduce songs of Wakayama infused with deep love for the homeland.

You’re sure to discover a side of Wakayama you didn’t know.

Famous songs and local tunes about Wakayama: Melodies that carry on the heart of our hometown (1–10)

Nanki-ShirahamaKaori Mizumori

Kaori Mizumori – Nanki-Shirahama Japanese Enka Kayōkyoku With Lyrics Enshū-nada New Song 2023 New Release Hyūga Cape Parting Sorrow… Takachiho Nichinan Coast Winter Thunder Nanki-Shirahama Kujūkuri Beach Kodomari Fishing Port Ōsumi Peninsula Memory Canal Lost-in-Drink

Kaori Mizumori in Nanki-Shirahama

Sung by Kaori Mizumori, known as the “Queen of Local Songs,” this evocative piece is set in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture.

Against the backdrop of famous sights like Sandanbeki and Senjojiki, it portrays a woman bidding farewell to a bygone love and setting out alone toward the future.

The song appears on the album Kayou Kiko 21 ~Kujukurihama~, released in September 2022.

Its expansive melody seems to dramatize both Shirahama’s majestic nature and the heroine’s inner strength.

It gently encourages anyone who longs to move beyond the past and take a new step forward.

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Yhoo!You’re!Yhoo!Manabu Furuya

Yhoo!You’re!Yhoo!

Yhoo! You're! Yhoo! Furuya Manabu

This is a rap song by Manabu Furuya, a singer-songwriter from Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, that makes full use of the Wakayama dialect.

Set to an acoustic guitar and vocal style, it bursts with such dense, local-only expressions that once you hear it, you won’t forget the impact.

Released as a single in July 2004, it gained buzz through word of mouth, was even featured on NHK’s Kinki edition, and achieved an exceptional indie sales figure of over 3,500 copies.

It’s a track that will delightfully move not only people from Wakayama, but anyone who wants to feel the warmth and strength of their hometown language.

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Hometown KinanWinds Hirazaka

Nanki PR Song “Furusato Kinan” by WINDS Hirasa (Lyric Video)

Furusato Kinan Winds Hirasa

This is a cheer song filled with love for the Kinan region by Winds Hirasa, a group based in Wakayama.

Its bright, friendly melody brings to mind the warm climate and beautiful nature of Shirahama and Tanabe.

The song was commissioned as a theme song by the Junior Chambers of the Shirahama and Tanabe areas, and was released to the public on the November 2010 album “Winds CM & Theme Song Collection.” The music video brims with local charm, featuring a collaboration with the pandas at Adventure World.

It’s a song that will gently embrace not only those from the Kinan region, but anyone who feels nostalgic for their hometown.

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Famous songs and local tunes about Wakayama: melodies that carry on the spirit of our hometown (11–20)

To Kishu WakayamaWinds Hirazaka

Wakayama Prefecture Tourism PR Song “To Kishu Wakayama” by Winds Hirasa (Lyric Video)

Winds Hirasa heads to Kishu Wakayama

It’s a song brimming with local pride that evokes the warm sunshine and refreshing breeze of Wakayama.

Just by listening, you can picture sunlit, gleaming mandarin orchards, the historic Kumano Kodo, and the beautiful shores of Shirahama.

The lyrics are rich with the prefecture’s famous sights and specialties, and the gentle, conversational vocals spark a sense of wanderlust.

Included on the album “Winds Hirasaka 1st Album,” released in January 2017, the track has become widely beloved by residents as a theme song for the Wakayama Football Association and a radio program.

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A Wandering Journey in Nanki-ShirahamaChō Hōyūki

Nagaho Yuki “Nanki Shirahama Wandering Journey” MUSIC VIDEO

Nanki-Shirahama: The Long Chronicle of a Lone Wanderer

Set against the beautiful scenery of Nanki-Shirahama, this is a work by Yuki Choho that powerfully sings of the pain of heartbreak.

The protagonist, while overlaying lingering feelings for an unforgettable person onto scenes like the sun setting behind Engetsu Island and the rough waves at Senjojiki, is portrayed as maintaining a brave demeanor.

Some listeners may find themselves empathizing with this heartrending emotional landscape.

Released in August 2023, the song was conceived as a local anthem to boost the Shirahama hot springs.

For those carrying the pain of a broken heart and feeling the urge to set out on a solitary journey to heal, it may feel as if the song is speaking your feelings on your behalf.

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Nachi’s Love WaterfallYoshitaka Oishi

[MV] Noritaka Oishi / Nachi’s Love Waterfall

Yoritaka Onoishi, the Love Waterfall Man of Nachi

This song tells a tragic love story, passed down in Wakayama’s Kumano region, about a Heike warrior and a village girl.

Set against the majestic Nachi Falls, it movingly conveys a woman’s heartrending feelings as she single-mindedly loves someone despite knowing they are fated never to be together.

The emotionally rich vocals of Yoshitaka Oishi add to the drama of this historical romance.

Released as a single in September 2022 and included on the acclaimed album THE BEST, this piece is sure to deeply stir the hearts of those who long to contemplate Wakayama’s mystical natural beauty.

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YAPPA KishuWinds Hirazaka

Kishu Yosakoi Mass Dance Song “YAPPA Kishu” – WINDS Hirasa (Official MV with Lyrics)

YAPPA Kishu Winds Hirasa

A powerful local anthem by WINDS Hirasa that fires up the festivals of Wakayama.

Its lively, samba-like rhythm layered with dynamic taiko drums makes your heart dance just by listening.

The lyrics express a straightforward love that says, after all, one’s own hometown is the best, proudly singing of local pride.

Long cherished as the mass dance song for “Odorunya Kishu Yosakoi,” it was first included on the album WINDS 5, released in July 2004.

It’s a recommended track not only for those from Wakayama, but for anyone who wants to share a passionate affection for their hometown.

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