[Songs of Yamaguchi] Introducing local tunes filled with hometown love and tracks related to Yamaguchi
In Yamaguchi Prefecture, the westernmost part of Honshu overlooking the Kanmon Strait, there is a heartwarming world of music deeply rooted in the local community.
From prefectural and city anthems cherished by residents, to theme songs for local information programs, and even unique pieces that straightforwardly sing the praises of delicious local rice, Yamaguchi’s songs are remarkably diverse.
Whether it’s a powerful chant supporting the local soccer team or a friendly theme song from a community-focused supermarket, every track embodies a warmth that’s closely tied to the daily lives of Yamaguchi’s people.
In this article, we’ve gathered songs themed around Yamaguchi Prefecture and its various regions, as well as pieces with connections to Yamaguchi.
You, too, will surely be captivated by these gems imbued with the charm of Yamaguchi.
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[Yamaguchi Songs] Introducing Local Tunes Filled with Love for Our Hometown and Tracks Related to Yamaguchi (1–10)
Color of the heartMasatoshi Nakamura
This is one of Masatoshi Nakamura’s signature works, said to have been inspired by a sunset sinking over Nagato City in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The protagonist’s resolve to rise again—believing in the sunrise to come despite the pain of heartbreak and the hardships of life—strikes a deep chord.
Released in November 1981, the song was promoted from an insert track to the main theme of the drama “Our Animal Family,” starring Nakamura.
It held the number-one spot on The Best Ten for five consecutive weeks and is widely known as one of Nakamura’s representative songs.
It’s the kind of piece that quietly stays by your side when you’re trying to overcome something, or when you’re lost in thought while gazing at a beautiful evening sky.
Nagato GorgeJoji Yamamoto
Set against a gorge in Yamaguchi Prefecture, this song portrays a man who vows with firm resolve during a solitary journey.
The harsh natural scenery awaiting spring overlaps with the protagonist, who, though clumsy, earnestly tries to face forward—something many listeners may find relatable.
Released in February 2012 to coincide with Joji Yamamoto’s birthday, the song was also included that same month on the maxi single “Kokoro no Kizuna ~Ashita o Shinjite~.” It’s a work that carries a gentle warmth, as if softly supporting those who strive on their own while thinking of their hometown.
RainingCocco
A masterpiece of shock and salvation, sung by Cocco as if carving away at her very soul.
This song was chosen as the theme for the film Shikijitsu, set in director Hideaki Anno’s hometown of Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Its gentle, sunlit springlike melody and Cocco’s heartrending yet powerful vocals pierce the heart.
In contrast to its bright opening, the lyrics portray a girl’s searing cry, and that gap grips you completely.
It’s a song filled with a strange tenderness that draws close to the pain deep within the listener’s heart and gently allows the tears to flow.
Songs of Yamaguchi: Introducing Local Tunes Filled with Hometown Love and Tracks Related to Yamaguchi (11–20)
A Lap Around My HometownLyrics and music by Satoshi Fujimura
A heartwarming local song from Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, that conjures up scenes of your hometown.
Nurtured by dedicated citizens and released in 1977, the piece unfolds like a leisurely stroll through Hofu, tracing a familiar landscape from Mount Taiheizan to the Saba River.
Featured on Yamaguchi Broadcasting’s radio programs and performed at community events, it has been cherished locally for many years.
When you want to reconnect with the warmth of home, why not give it a listen?
Starting Line: All For TeamMIKKO
This is the theme song of Renofa Yamaguchi, a soccer team from Yamaguchi Prefecture.
MIKKO’s delicate yet powerful vocals inspire courage and hope in listeners.
Both the melody and harmony are wonderful, making it an exceptionally well-crafted piece both as a fight song and as a theme song.
Children’s WorldKotringo
This is a song cherished as the theme of the animated film “Mai Mai Miracle,” set in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Some of you may have felt that the warm afterglow you carried out of the theater existed thanks to this very piece.
Kotringo’s clear, translucent voice and delicate piano tones evoke a gentle nostalgia, like quietly opening an old picture book.
One of the lovely things about this song is how it brings back those special vistas you could see only in childhood—like gazing up at the sky from the depths of a wheat field.
When the song ends, you’ll likely find yourself under a tender spell that makes your heart feel a little lighter.
Rain on bush cloverKonomi Mori
Set in the rain-soaked castle town of Yamaguchi, this song by Konomi Mori portrays a steadfast love that waits for someone who has gone.
Her voice—honed through traditional folk singing—gently colors the beautiful poetic world that conjures scenes like weeping willows and stone-paved streets.
The track appears on the single “Kuchinashi Ujō / Hakodate Yakei,” released in June 2018.
Composed by Tetsuya Gen, a towering figure in the enka world, its high quality is unmistakable.
It’s a perfect masterpiece for a night when you want to listen to the sound of rain and immerse yourself in a bittersweet story.