music

Daily music

My top five artists of the past week:

Take a look at other charts including my recently heard tracks on my last.fm profile page.

The Japan Hour with DJ mitcho

From July 2006 to May 2007, DJ mitcho spun a weekly mix of contemporary Japanese music on WHPK 88.5fm Chicago. Here for posterity is the setlist archives. WHPK continues its tradition of high quality eclectic community radio—you can listen to them live through their internet feed.

Set lists

October 24th, 2006: Colors
1. 夏色 by ゆず, from Home [1997～2000]
2. COLORS by 宇多田ヒカル, from ULTRA BLUE
3. 水色の街 by Spitz, from CYCLE HIT 1997-2005 Complete Single Collection
4. 赤い電車 by くるり, from NIKKI
5. 赤い命 (feat. Erykah Badu) by Misia, from Mars and Roses
6. 亜麻色の髪の乙女 by 柳家花禄, from 情熱大陸葉加瀬太郎セレクション
7. 緑道 by 原田郁子, from ピアノ
8. 灰色の瞳 by 椎名林檎 and 草野正宗
9. 雲は白リンゴは赤 by aiko from 彼女
10. めくれたオレンジ by 東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ, from Stompin' On DOWN BEAT ALLEY
11. Colors Of The Wind by Acidman, from Mosh Pit On Disney
12. There will be love there～愛のある場所～ by The Brilliant Green, from the brilliant green
13. You Are Blue, So Am I by Bonnie Pink, from You Are Blue, So Am I
October 31st, 2006: Halloween
1. おばけなんてないさ from NHKおかあさんといっしょ
2. 愛と死の輪舞 by Southern All Stars, from KILLER STREET
3. 幽霊の結婚式 by ゆらゆら帝国, from ゆらゆら帝国III
4. MONSTER by B'z, from MONSTER
5. Monster by Mr.Children, from I Love U
6. BOHBO No. 5 by Southern All Stars, from KILLER STREET
7. 叫び by 野猿, from STAFF ROLL
8. 湯婆婆 by 久石譲, from 千と千尋の神隠し
9. サッちゃん from 最新ベスト　たのしいどうよう
10. かごめかごめ from おこさまダンスミックス
11. 魔女旅に出る by Spitz, from CYCLE HIT 1991-1997 Complete Single Collection
12. 優しさに包まれて by 松任谷由実, from 魔女の宅急便
13. 殺しの接物～Kiss Me Good-Bye～ by Southern All Stars, from KILLER STREET
November 7th, 2006: Japanese geography
1. 京都の恋 by 渚ゆう子
2. 鎌倉物語 by Southern All Stars from 海のYeah!! Disc1 SEA SIDE
3. 佐賀県 by はなわ from Hanawa Rock
4. 東京NIGHTS by 宇多田ヒカル from DEEP RIVER
5. 東京 (Album Mix) by くるり from さよならストレンジャー
6. 中央フリーウェイ by 松任谷由実
7. 津軽海峡・冬景色 by 石川さゆり
8. 箱根八里の半次郎 by 氷川きよし
9. 襟裳岬 by 森進一
10. 南の島のハメハメハ
11. 島唄 by The Boom
12. 最後の海 by 山崎まさよし from アトリエ
13. 海を見に行こう by Spitz from 三日月ロック
November 14th, 2006: Sound and noise
1. Battle without Honour by Tomoyasu Hotei from Kill Bill: Volume 1
2. ステレオ by 山崎まさよし from STEREO
3. Stereo by the band apart from Alfred And Cavity
4. 国民的行事 by KREVA
5. Transition by DJ Krush from 寂 -Jaku-
6. +33 by 坂本龍一 from 04
7. I Wanna Be Down by 坂本龍一 from Astromantic
8. HA by AKI&Kuniko from HA
9. Capriccio II, Opus 76 by Gary Burton and Makoto Ozone from Virtuosi
10. Churazima（美ら島） by RYUKYUDISKO from 美ら島
11. Way U Move by Dragon Ash and m-flo from Astromantic
12. Lesson 3 by m-flo from Astromantic Charm School
November 21th, 2006: Gardens and roads
1. 公園にいきましょう by 速水けんたろう & 茂森あゆみ from NHKおかあさんといっしょ
2. 僕と不良と公園で by 山崎まさよし from アトリエ
3. 葡萄園 by くるり from さよならストレンジャー
4. 楽園 by 平井� � from THE CHANGING SAME
5. 楽園～マカル・サリ～ by 夏川りみ from てぃで～太陽・風ぬ想い～
6. 楽園ベイベー by Rip Slyme from 楽園ベイベー
7. 夕暮れ時の帰り道 by 平川地一丁目 from えんぴつで作る歌
8. 散歩道 by Judy and Mary from Pop Life
9. 花 original track by ORANGE RANGE from 花
10. 花いちもんめ by はっぴいえんど from City: Best Hits
11. 空風の帰り道 by Mr.Children from Hero
12. 坂道のある街 by 山崎まさよし from アレルギーの特効薬
November 28th, 2006: Food!
1. だんご3兄弟 by 速水けんたろう & 茂森あゆみ
2. Hip Hop * Vegetable by 沢城みゆき from Puchiko no Uta 2
3. お魚天国
4. 中華料理 by 山崎まさよし from アレルギーの特効薬
5. カレーの歌 by くるり from TEAM ROCK
6. りんご飴 by くるり from さよならストレンジャー
7. Hai-irashai by NICEGUY人
8. The Track for the Japanese Typical Foods called "Karaage"＆ "Soba" by Southern All Stars from KILLER STREET
9. Beef or Chicken by Teriyaki Boyz from BEEF or CHICKEN
10. アスパラ by aiko from 夏服
11. スキヤキ by モーニング娘。
12. エスカルゴ by Spitz from 三日月ロック
13. ラーメン３分クッキング by 大塚愛 from LOVE COOK
December 5th, 2006: Christmas!
1. ジングル・ベル from おこさまダンスミックス
2. クリスマス・ラブ～涙のあとには白い雪が降る～ by Southern All Stars from バラッド3 ～the album of LOVE～
3. White Love (Christmas Standard) by Speed from MOMENT
4. 星降る夜のクリスマス by つじあやの from CALENDAR CALENDAR
5. 8月のクリスマス by 山崎まさよし from 8月のクリスマス
6. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence by 坂本龍一 from 04
7. Last Christmas by 佐藤竹善 from The SELECTION OF CORNERSTONES 1995-2004
8. 恋人がサンタクロース by 松任谷由実 from Neue Musik
9. 白い雪とシャンパンとX'masSONG by the brilliant green from angel song-イヴの鐘-
10. ママがサンタにキッスした by ジューシー・フルーツ from BEST SONGS OF ジューシー・フルーツ
11. 白い恋人達 by 桑田佳祐 from TOP OF THE POPS
12. クリスマス・イヴ by 山下達郎 from TREASURES
January 2nd, 2007: New Music from Japan!
1. ぼくはくま by 宇多田ヒカル, from ぼくはくま
2. 藍 by スキマスイッチ, from 夕風ブレンド
3. SAKURA by いきものがかり, from SAKURA
4. パラダイス by UNDER GRAPH, from 素晴らしき日常
5. 近距離恋愛 by GO!GO!7188, from パレード
6. アッシュ by ELLEGARDEN, from ELEVEN FIRE CRACKERS
7. Piano Breaker Boogie by Les Frères, from Piano Breaker
8. ～はじまり～ by タカチャ, from I LOVE 田舎
9. ソノサキニ by タカチャ, from I LOVE 田舎
10. Love Song by m-flo loves BONNIE PINK, from Love Song
11. アゲ♂アゲ♂EVERY☆騎士 by DJ OZMA, from I LOVE PARTY PEOPLE
12. トモダチ by ケツメイシ, from トモダチ
January 9th, 2007: The Pops, Rediscovered: a two hour special
1. if... by DA PUMP from Da Best of Da Pump
2. Reeewind! by Crystal Kay and m-flo from Astromantic: m-flo
3. Sunrise Nippon by Arashi from Single Collection
4. Chase the Chance by 安室奈美恵 from 181920
5. 誘惑 by GLAY from DRIVE
6. 太陽は沈まない by THE ALFEE from THE BEST 1997-2002 -apres Nouvelle Vague-
7. かわいいひと by ウルフルズ from ベスト� ぜ!!
8. LOVE LOVE LOVE by DREAMS COME TRUE from GREATEST
9. 夜空ノ� コウ by Smap from Birdman
10. くちばしにチェリー by EGO-WRAPPIN' from Night Food
11. Young Love (青春の終わりに) by Southern All Stars from Young Love
12. LOVEマシーン by モーニング娘。 from ベスト! モーニング娘。1
13. パンと蜜をめしあがれ by クラ� ボン from clammbon best
14. Down Town by SUGAR BABE from Songs: 30th Anniversary
15. Boys & Girls by 浜崎あゆみ from A BEST
16. キスして抱きしめて by Misia from Mother Father Brother Sister
17. スパイダー by スピッツ from CYCLE HIT 1991-1997 Single Collection
18. ミス・ブランニュー・デイ (MISS BRAND-NEW DAY) by Southern All Stars from Yeah!
19. はなればなれ by クラムボン from clammbon best
20. 浪漫飛行 by 米米CLUB from Kome: Best of Best
21. 青いリンゴ by 野口五郎
22. 高気圧ガール by 山下達郎 from TREASURES
January 19th, 2007: Sakamoto Ryuichi and the piano
1. Asience - Fast Piano by 坂本龍一 from /04
2. ピアノ by 山崎まさよし from STEREO 2
3. 宇宙 by Angela Aki from Home
4. 眠れない夜 by Bonnie Pink from Every Single Day-Complete BONNIE PINK(1995-2006)
5. Chega de Saudade by Paula Morelenbaum, Jaques Morelenbaum & Ryuichi Sakamoto from A Day in New York
6. Thousand Knives by 坂本龍一 from /05
7. Undercooled - Acoustica by 坂本龍一 from /04
8. Over & Over by Les Frères from Piano Breaker
9. Sign by Mr.Children from I Love U
10. ピアノガール by くるり from 図鑑
11. Energy Flow by 坂本龍一 from /05
12. たのしそうかなしそう by 原田郁子 from ピアノ
13. 波乗りジョニー by 桑田佳祐 from Top of The Pops
January 26th, 2007: 出会い (encounters)
1. またあえる日まで by ゆず from Going [2001～2005]
2. ラブストーリーは突然に by 小田和正 from 自己ベスト
3. 出逢った時のように by Every Little Thing from Every Best Single+3
4. 恋におちたら by Crystal Kay from 恋におちたら
5. いい女 by ウルフルズ from ベストだぜ!!
6. アゲハ蝶 by Porno Graffitti from Best Blue's
7. 粉雪 by レミオロメン from 粉雪
8. ドギー&マギー by クラ� ボン from best
9. Can You Keep A Secret? by 宇多田ヒカル from Distance
10. LOVE AFFAIR～秘密のデート～ by Southern All Stars from バラッド3 ～the album of LOVE～
11. Linda by Blue Hearts from Super Best
February 2nd, 2007: J-Reggae
1. サクラサク by 湘南乃風
2. ライオンの子 by Spinna B-ill & The Cavemans from ライオンの子
3. 片思ひ by Amy-N-Ryoo
4. WORLD LEADER by NANJAMAN
5. Born JAPANESE -Dancing Stone Mix- by Nanjaman
6. nayamy by タカチャ from I love 田舎
7. 純恋歌 by 湘南乃風 from 純恋歌
8. The Perfect Vision by Minmi from The Perfect Vision
9. Heat by 倖田來未 feat. Megaryu from Heat
10. 現� �至上主義 by RYO the SKYWALKER
11. らしく by タカチャ Feat. King Chang, サウンドランド from I love 田舎
12. To All Over by Mighty Jam Rock from 3 the hardway
February 9th, 2007: Tropical Island Beats, with Singers of United Lands!
1. Getaway by 熱帯JAZZ楽団 from 熱帯JAZZ楽団 Ⅱ - September -
2. 島唄 by 夏川りみ from てぃだ～太陽・風ぬ想い～
3. がんばれ節 by BEGIN from ビギンの島唄～オモトタケオ
4. 涙の海で抱かれたい～Sea Of Love～ by Southern All Stars from 涙の海で抱かれたい～Sea Of Love～
5. Só Danço Samba by 小野リサ from BOSSA CARIOCA
6. 果てなく続くストーリー Smooth Latin Mix by Misia with 熱帯JAZZ楽団 from 果てなく続くストーリー
February 16th, 2007: Songs on Love
1. 恋の季節 by ピンキーとキラーズ from 走れ！歌謡曲　ゴールド編 (Disc 1)
2. Be My Last by 宇多田ヒカル from ULTRA BLUE
3. シーソーゲーム by Mr.Children from Bolero
4. We're All Alone by Angela Aki from ONE
5. True Love by 藤井フミヤ from True Love
6. ながい愛 by B'z from Brotherhood
7. お薬 by aiko from 桜の木の下
8. ばらの花 by くるり from TEAM ROCK
9. バンザイ～好きでよかった～ by ウルフルズ from ベストだぜ！！
10. LOVE AFFAIR～秘密のデート～ by Southern All Stars from バラッド3 ～the album of LOVE～ DISC2
11. 週末には食事をしよう (single version) by 山崎まさよし from OUT OF THE BLUE
12. 思いがかさなるその前に… by 平井健 from SENTIMENTALovers
March 2nd, 2007: English!
1. TOKYO'S A LONELY TOWN by 山下達郎 from ARTISAN
2. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) by 宇多田ヒカル from Wait & See ～リスク～
3. Burnin' Up The Carnival by Fried Pride from Street Walking Woman
4. WHOLE WORLD HAPPY by EGO-WRAPPIN' from Night Food
5. Milky Way by テイトウワ from Flash
6. Siriustar by Deerhoof from The Runners Four
7. アレルギーの特効薬～WHAT'D I SAY by 山崎まさよし from ONE KNIGHT STANDS
8. BRAVE SAILOR by The Cherry Coke$ from Beer My Friends
9. Rock 'N' roll Can Rescue the World by Electric Eel Shock from Go America!
10. Fire Cracker by ELLEGARDEN from ELEVEN FIRE CRACKERS
11. Headlight Is Destroyed by the band apart from Alfred And Cavity
12. SORA NO LION by EGO-WRAPPIN' from Night Food
March 9th, 2007: Numbers
1. Numbers by Teach Me Tapes from Teach Me Tapes Japanese
2. ルパン三世'78/LUPIN THE 3RD '78 by 東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ from Punch The Monkey! 2
3. 琉球愛歌 by MONGOL 800 from MESSAGE
4. AM:1100 by HY from AM 11:00
5. #1090 [千夢一夜] by Tak Matsumoto from 華
6. Wes On Four by Jake Shimabukuro from Walking Down Rainhill
7. Count Five Or Six by Cornelius from FANTASMA
8. Wrong Time Capsule by Deerhoof from The Runners Four
9. 4 Seasons by BENNIE K from Japana-rhythm
10. 僕と君の最小公倍数 by 山崎まさよし from ドミノ
11. 咲坂と桃内のごきげんいかがワン・ツゥー・スリー by スネークマン・ショー from Hip-Hop Bible 白盤
12. 神様のヒマ潰し by GO!GO!7188 from ベストオブゴー! ゴー!
March 16th, 2007: US-Japan music, with Audrey Kimura of SXSW Asia!
1. Walk Don't Run by The Ventures from Walk Don't Run - The Best of the Ventures
2. Misirlou by Surf Coasters from Samurai Struck
3. 遭難 by 東京事変 from 教育
4. 浮舟 by GO!GO!7188 from Best of GO! GO!
5. Thank You For RAMONES by ザ50回転ズ from Japan Nite Promo CD
6. Rock 'N' roll Can Rescue the World by Electric Eel Shock from Go USA!
7. Pink by Boris from Pink
8. アメリカン・フィーリング by サーカス from Circus Alfa Music Edition
9. 月と甲羅 by GO!GO!7188 from Best of GO! GO!
10. Tippy Toe by Utada from Exodus
11. TRIPOD BABY by m-flo loves Lisa from Beat Space Nine
March 27th, 2007: Spring, a time for protest!
1. 春よ、来い by 松任谷由実
2. 春の歌 by Spitz from CYCLE HIT 1997-2005 Spitz Complete Single Collection
3. 春風 by つじあやの from CALENDAR CALENDAR
4. 明日、春が来たら by 松たか子 from 空の鏡
5. 島唄 by The Boom from 島唄
6. さとうきび畑 by 森山良子 from さとうきび畑
7. WORLD LEADER by NANJAMAN from WORLD LEADER
8. 戦争を知らない子供たち by ジローズ from 戦争を知らない子供たち
9. イムジン河 by ザ・フォーク・クルセダーズ from イムジン河
10. 自衛隊に入ろう by 高田渡
11. 自衛隊に入ろう by ガガガＳＰ from 線香花火
12. 戦争と僕 by サンボマスター from 僕と君の全てをロックンロールと呼べ
April 3rd, 2007: By request
1. 世界はそれを愛と呼ぶんだぜ by サンボマスター from 僕と君の全てをロックンロールと呼べ
2. A Song for XX by 浜崎あゆみ from A BEST
3. 桃ノ花ビラ by 大塚愛 from LOVE PUNCH
4. ステレオ by 山崎まさよし from STEREO
5. ガラナ (album ver.) by スキマスイッチ from 夕風ブレンド
6. 勝手にシンドバッド by Southern All Stars from 海のYeah!! Disc1 SEA SIDE
7. 遠くで汽笛を聞きながら by アリス from アリスベスト 2
8. 喝采 by ちあきなおみ from 走れ！歌謡曲　ゴールド編 (Disc 2)
9. シクラメンのかほり by 布施　明 from 走れ！歌謡曲　ゴールド編 (Disc 2)
10. 丸の内サディスティック by 椎名林檎 from 無罪モラトリアム
11. Seventh Heaven by B'z from Eleven
12. 虹 by くるり from さよならストレンジャー
April 10th, 2007: 演歌: enka classics
1. 祝い酒 by 坂本冬美 from 暴れ太鼓／祝い酒／男の情話
2. さざんかの宿 by 大川栄策 from Golden Best
3. わたしの城下町 by 小柳ルミ子 from Golden Best
4. 雪國 by 吉　幾三 from 雪國
5. 箱根八里の半次郎 by 氷川きよし from 箱根八里の半次郎
6. 兄弟船 by 鳥羽一郎 from 鳥羽一郎全曲集
7. 帰ってこいよ by 松村和子
8. 北の宿から by 都はるみ from Golden Best
9. 霧氷 by 橋　幸夫
10. 圭子の夢は夜ひらく by 藤　圭子 from Golden Best
11. 伊勢佐木町ブルース by 青江三奈 from Ultimate Best
12. 北国行きで by 朱里エイコ from Best Album
April 17th, 2007: Japan (and Japanese) in English music
1. Mr. Roboto by Styx from Kilroy Was Here
2. Ankle Injuries by Fujiya & Miyagi from Transparent Things
3. Kaboom! by Ursula 1000 from Here Comes Tomorrow
4. The Crane Wife 1 & 2 by The Decemberists from The Crane Wife
5. Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt.1 by The Flaming Lips from Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
6. Harajuku Girls by Gwen Stefani from Love.Angel.Music.Baby
7. Sumiregusa by Enya from Amarantine
8. Left Hand Suzuki Method by Gorillaz from Gorillaz
9. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) by Queen from A Day At The Races
10. Aisumasen (I'm Sorry) by John Lennon from Mind Games
April 24th, 2007: Japanese surf rock: the lasting influence of the Ventures
1. Walk Don't Run by The Ventures from The Best Of
2. Theme from Symphony No. 6 by Takeshi Terauchi & The Bunnys from Let's Go Classics
3. Sabre Dance by Takeshi Terauchi & The Bunnys from Let's Go Classics
4. Kanjinnchou by Takeshi Terauchi and Bunnys from Japanese Folk Songs
5. Musume Doujyouji by Takeshi Terauchi and Bunnys from Japanese Folk Songs
6. そんなヒロシに騙されて by Southern All Stars from 海のYeah!!
7. 蒼い星くず by 加山雄三 from Greatest Hits
8. 上を向いて歩こう by 坂本　九 from Very Best Of
9. Sukiyaki by The Ventures
10. Wipe Out by The Surfaris from Wipe Out
11. Notteke by 松本孝弘 from Dragon From The West
12. ルパン三世'78/LUPIN THE 3RD '78 by 東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ from Punch The Monkey! 2
13. 太陽 by GO!GO!7188 from ベストオブゴー! ゴー!
14. 遭難 by 東京事変 from 教育
15. Misirlou by Surf Coasters from Samurai Struck
16. While My Guitar Gently Weeps by Jake Shimabukuro from Walking Down Rainhill
May 15th, 2007: J-Rocksplosion!
1. アッシュ by ELLEGARDEN from ELEVEN FIRE CRACKERS
2. MONSTER by B'z from MONSTER
3. マーチ by くるり from 図鑑
4. Can-Nana Fever (Jet Version) by Guitar Wolf from Jet Generation
5. N.G.S by ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION from 君繋ファイブエム
6. ロック by GO!GO!7188 from ベストオブゴー! ゴー!
7. 誘惑 by GLAY from DRIVE ～ GLAY complete BEST～(DISC2)
8. Honey by L'arc-en-Ciel from The Best 1998-2000
9. 桜花爛漫 by Kagrra, from 桜花爛漫
10. 太陽は沈まない by THE ALFEE from THE BEST 1997-2002 -apres Nouvelle Vague-
11. 愛なき世界 by くるり from TEAM ROCK
12. 君の声は僕の恋僕の名は君の夜 by サンボマスター from 僕と君の全てをロックンロールと呼べ
13. Pink by Boris from Pink
May 22nd, 2007: 元気 genki
1. BOHBO No. 5 by Southern All Stars from BOHBO No. 5
2. あそぼう by ウルフルズ from ベストだぜ!!
3. Ultra Soul by B'z from Green
4. チャンピオン by アリス from アリスベスト 3
5. Linda by Blue Hearts from
6. Bathroom by Judy and Mary from Pop Life
7. 君こそスターだ by Southern All Stars from 君こそスターだ／夢に消えたジュリア
8. Just My Friend by 米米CLUB from Just My Friend
9. 群青日和 by 東京事変 from 教育
10. This Is Love by 宇多田ヒカル from ULTRA BLUE

Buying Japanese music

If you would like to purchase Japanese music, I would make your first stop Amazon.com. Why buy from Amazon?

Amazon has a wide range of import CDs often available soon after they are released in Japan.
Real CDs come with liner notes and Japanese liner notes tend to include all the lyrics to your songs, making the purchase well worth it.
It's legal, and that should make you feel good.
When you make purchases from the Amazon links on this page, a small portion of the sales goes to support The Japan Hour. Now that should make you feel good.

Note that Japanese CDs (like watermelons) are expensive. They just are... a single regularly is released at upwards of ¥1000, with albums regularly costing about ¥3000. That $30 import CD on Amazon, then, is actually not a bad deal.