[Folk Songs and Children's Songs of Akita] A curated selection of local masterpieces that evoke love for one’s hometown
A wealth of folk songs and children’s songs that have long been close to the lives of the people of Akita.
Nurtured amid abundant nature and a harsh climate, Akita’s folk songs are imbued with people’s joys and sorrows, and with hearts of prayer.
Still sung at local festivals and traditional events and passed down to children, these songs are, quite literally, the very heart of Akita.
In this article, we introduce the musical world that Akita proudly offers—a region renowned nationwide for its vibrant folk song culture—from well-known folk and children’s songs everyone has heard at least once, to hidden gems known only to the initiated.
- [Akita Songs] A Collection of Gem-Like Local Tunes Filled with Love for Hometowns
- Akita Ondo: The Heart of Japan Passed Down in Song
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
- Folk Songs, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes of Aomori: Japanese Songs from Tsugaru and Hachinohe that Resonate with the Heart
- Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
- Folksongs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Fukushima: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
- Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes about insects
- [Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Iwate: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- Beautiful Folk Songs Passed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces that Play the Heart of the Hometown
- [Songs of Aomori] A collection of local songs depicting the grandeur of nature and the warmth of its people.
- [Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
[Akita Folk Songs and Children’s Songs] A Curated Selection of Beloved Local Classics That Evoke Hometown Love (11–20)
Akita Obako
This piece originated from Yamagata’s “Obako,” which spread to Akita and became beloved as “Akita Obako.” “Akita Obako” is a term that refers to a girl born and raised in Akita.
It’s a lively folk song with a feminine elegance that evokes the image of a beautiful young woman.
The swiftly shifting tones of the flute are also striking.
Donpan-bushi
Donpan Bushi is a folk song from Akita that is known throughout Japan.
It is a jinku (a type of rhythmic song) written and composed by master temple and shrine carpenter Ichizo Takahashi, and it was apparently sung as a celebratory song during ridge-raising ceremonies.
After it was arranged into a more upbeat style for popular audiences, it came to be used for various parody versions and became widely beloved.
It’s the perfect folk song for livening up a gathering.
Akita-bushi
Akita Bushi is characterized by lyrics lined with Akita’s signature specialties—Akita beauties, delicious rice, fine sake, and more.
As each local treasure is sung with care, you can feel the love for Akita.
The shamisen’s gentle tone, placing each note softly one by one, creates a heartwarming mood—an enchanting folk song that soothes the soul.
Aikawa Ondo
This folk song is said to be a Bon dance song from The Tale of the Heike passed down in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, and it is frequently performed at folk song competitions.
It is also often presented together with dance and is even played during Bon dances.
A must-listen for anyone who loves Bon dancing!
Akita Ondo
Akita Ondo is a folk song whose verse-free puns make for an entertaining narrative.
It’s sung alongside a dance with distinctive hand movements.
With one lively refrain after another, you can’t help but feel your body start to move.
The accompaniment is bustling and uplifting, making it the perfect ondo to enliven any gathering.
Look up
A charming children’s song that captures the never-ending snowfall so typical of Akita: when you look up it looks like bugs, when you look straight ahead it looks like cotton, and when you look down the snow has piled up.
It’s a well-known song in Akita Prefecture, but the lyrics vary slightly by region.
For example, in Niigata they say, “The ceiling is pampas grass, below are peonies,” and in Gifu, “Look at the roof—it’s cotton.” You can really feel each region’s character.
[Akita Folk Songs and Children's Songs] A curated selection of beloved local classics that evoke hometown love (21–30)
Akita Nikata-bushi
Because the opening word is “nigata,” it is said that the Niigata-bushi that came to Akita became dialectally altered into “Nikata-bushi.” It is a very elegant ozashiki song, sung in a resonant yet sultry manner.
One is also captivated by the shamisen’s tone, which, like a swiftly shifting kudoki-style instrumental passage, changes rapidly.