Ministry of Education songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes. The heart of Japan passed down in song.

The Puppy Police OfficerLyrics by Yoshimi Sato / Music by Onaka Megumi

[Song Anime] The Dog Policeman (Sung by Itchy & Naru) - Little lost, little lost kitten, where is your home? ~♫

This work, which portrays a heartwarming story of a police dog gently trying to help a lost kitten, is one of Japan’s representative children’s songs, where Yoshimi Sato’s warm lyrics and Megumi Ohnaka’s familiar melody blend beautifully.

While empathizing with the kitten mewing “nyan, nyan, nyan” in distress, the police dog also seeks help from a crow and a sparrow, and his kindness and efforts warmly touch listeners’ hearts.

Composed in the 1950s to 1960s, the song became beloved through educational programs such as NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and “Okaasan to Issho,” and continues to be cherished by many children.

pine coneLyrics by Takao Hirota / Music by Tsyae Kobayashi

pine cone

This is an autumn children’s song that depicts a charming scene: a pine cone tumbles down a high mountain, and a little monkey picks it up and eats it.

The lyrics were written in 1936 by Takao Hirota, who was a first-grade elementary school student at the time, and the music was composed by Tsyae Kobayashi, a music teacher.

From the late 1950s to the 1960s, the song was included on King Records’ album “Songs for Kindergarten.” With just a single, simple, and easy-to-remember verse, it has long been loved as a seasonal song in nurseries and kindergartens.

It’s also recommended to add simple choreography and enjoy it as a hand-play song! Singing while moving your body will bring back fond memories of childhood fun playing in autumn nature.

TulipLyrics by Miyako Kondo / Music by Takeshi Inoue

Nursery rhyme: Tulips (sung by Matsunomi Children's Association)

This is one of Japan’s most beloved children’s songs, depicting a beautiful spring scene of red, white, and yellow tulips blooming in a row.

Miyako Kondo’s lyrics carry a warm message that recognizes diversity—“every flower has its own beauty”—and, together with Takeshi Inoue’s friendly melody, make it a tune that people of all ages can hum naturally.

Widely cherished in kindergarten and elementary school music classes, it was selected in 2006 for the list of 100 Best Japanese Songs.

It’s the perfect piece for when you want to feel the arrival of spring or enjoy singing with children!

I found the first starMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)

Found the First Star by Three Sunflowers 🌻×3 [Chorus] With Lyrics | Ministry of Education Shoka (School Song)

Let me introduce the Ministry of Education song “Ichibanboshi Mitsuketa” (“I Found the First Star”).

The Ministry of Education songs are a collective term for songs that were taught in Japan’s national schools, which correspond to today’s elementary schools.

How about singing the beloved classic “Ichibanboshi Mitsuketa”? Its simple melody and lyrics make it easy to sing and remember.

It’s a great choice to include in Tanabata gatherings or events as part of games and performances.

It also seems perfect for interactive play with children.

snowMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)

[Children's Song] Yuki ya konko – kids' song, nursery rhyme, Minna no Uta, Japanese song. ♪ Yuki ya konko, arare ya konko ♪ Melody Line

This is a Ministry of Education shoka (school song) that sings of the calm and beautiful arrival of spring.

It was published in the 1910 collection “Shōka for the Ordinary Elementary School Reader.” The lyrics, which express the joy of spring visiting the mountains, villages, and fields, embody the Japanese people’s delicate sensitivity to the seasons.

The piece also showcases masterful use of particles—using ni to indicate the state of flowers blooming and de for the action of birds singing—conveying the beauty of the Japanese language.

Frequently sung at seasonal events such as the spring term opening and entrance ceremonies, it is a classic that perfectly suits those who wish to spend a heartwarming moment while feeling the changes of nature.

Mr. Elephant

Children’s song: Elephant

This is a song in which, when the baby elephant is teased about having a long trunk different from everyone else’s, the mother gently teaches the child that being different is what makes them wonderful.

It sings about how, even if our skin, eyes, or hair are different, everyone is wonderful and we should all get along.

Denderaryuba

Denderaryuuba [With Song] Children's Song/Hand Play

It is one of the traditional children’s songs from Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, and is also used in the Nagasaki Kunchi festival.

It is known as a hand-clapping song for children.

It is said to be based on the Nagasaki-bushi, which became popular during the Russo-Japanese War, as suggested by words like “Russian warship” and “Cossack cavalry.”