Let's sing together! A collection of nursery rhymes everyone knows
Nursery songs that many people have sung in day-care centers, kindergartens, and schools.
These children’s songs, passed down through generations, are still sung today in childcare settings, schools, and even senior facilities.
That said, fewer people are singing them nowadays, and some children can be found who don’t know nursery songs at all.
In this article, we’ll introduce nursery songs that everyone—young and old—will recognize.
If you’re not very familiar with nursery songs, start by listening to the ones we introduce here.
Try singing nursery songs together with your child, your friends, or your grandparents, and have fun!
- Children’s Song Medley: A playlist of classic and popular hits everyone knows
- Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together
- [Minna no Uta] Beloved Across Generations: Nostalgic Classics and Popular Songs
- [Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- [Children's Songs] Cute songs recommended for childcare. List of popular nursery rhymes.
- Nursery rhymes to sing to your baby! Recommended songs enjoyable from 0 months
- Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs about animals
- Choral songs that captivate 4-year-olds! A collection of heartfelt song ideas for junior kindergarten recitals
- [Children’s Songs] Let’s Sing of Spring! A Fun Collection of Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children’s Songs
- Lullabies: children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Nostalgic songs for putting children to sleep.
[Sing along together!] A collection of nursery rhymes everyone knows (11–20)
SacchanLyrics by Hiroo Sakata / Music by Megumi Oonaka
A masterpiece by the great composer Megumi Ohnaka, who also composed children’s songs like “Red Dragonfly” and “The Policeman Dog.” “Sacchan” was written with lyricist Mr.
Sakata’s memorable image of a transfer student in mind.
The lyrics, penned with a gentle gaze, have a somewhat wistful past-tense tone—you can almost read a hint of first love in them.
Sung by artists such as Akiko Yano and Yuzo Gucci with the Guccies, the song has been cherished continuously since its debut in 1959.
It also sounds fun at birthday parties to swap out Sacchan’s name for someone else’s while singing.
Mountain MusiciansLyrics: Shisen Mizuta / Composition: German folk song
The children’s song “Yama no Ongakuka” (Mountain Musicians) is delightful for its pairings of animals and instruments—like a squirrel playing the violin and a mountain rabbit playing the piano.
It’s also known in translation as “Minna Ongakuka” (“Everyone’s a Musician”).
The original is a German song with lyrics about being able to play instruments such as the timpani, bassoon, and triangle.
In that sense, the nursery rhyme “Yama no Ongakuka” follows the same style.
The many animal characters are adorable, and the song has been adapted into picture books and stage plays, making it a beloved children’s song that goes beyond just singing.
There are many recordings—by the Dark Ducks and others—so feel free to choose one that suits your needs.
The Bear of the ForestLyrics: Yoshihiro Baba / Music: American folk song
Do you know scout songs? They’re the songs everyone sings together during Boy Scout and Girl Scout activities.
The original version of this song, “The Other Day, I Met a Bear,” was one such scout song.
When it was translated into Japanese and began to be sung in Japan, its title was “Oyasetsu na Kuma-san” (Kind Mr.
Bear).
In 1972, when it was featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” it seems to have become the current “Mori no Kuma-san.” It’s surprisingly recent, isn’t it? Up to the chorus, the lyrics are sung in a call-and-response, almost like a round, so I’d love for everyone to sing it together when a lot of people get together!
Tanuki of Fist MountainLyrics and composition: Unknown
Genkotsuyama no Tanuki-san is a traditional children’s song loved by a wide range of ages.
It was created around everyday experiences everyone can relate to, like being held and falling asleep.
Learn the cute choreography—such as the motions of drinking and gestures of sleeping—and try playing along.
It’s also fun to add your own variations at the end of the chorus, like striking a pose or playing rock-paper-scissors.
With phrases that depict a parent–child relationship and a cheerful melody, it’s a song that resonates with joy.
Give it a try together with your child.
Mr. ElephantLyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan
A children’s song that lets you feel the warm bond between a baby elephant and its mother.
The lyrics were written by Michio Mado, who also created famous nursery songs such as “Yagi-san Yubin” and “Ichinensei ni Nattara.” This song portrays a baby elephant being teased by others for its long trunk, yet proudly feeling that its long trunk matches its beloved mother’s.
The gentle duple-meter melody would make a nice lullaby.
Released in September 2017, this song invites you to listen with the hope that parents and children can stay close forever, just like the elephant parent and child.
TulipLyrics by Miyako Kondo / Music by Takeshi Inoue
Announcing the arrival of spring, this song overflows with warmth that gently embraces children’s hearts.
It tenderly depicts tulips in full bloom—red, white, yellow, and more—conveying a beautiful message that celebrates the diversity of flowers.
Written in 1931 by Miyako Kondo with music by Takeshi Inoue, this children’s song was crafted in clear, friendly language for kindergarteners.
How about singing it with your child while pointing to the tulips you find on a spring walk? The moment their eyes light up at the flowers’ beauty will surely become a cherished memory.
[Let’s Sing Together!] A Collection of Well-Known Children’s Songs (21–30)
Oh, the ranch is green.
Let’s move our bodies to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for “Oh, the Meadow is Green.” These ideas are perfect for summer, when the weather is nice and the air is crisp.
They’re especially recommended if you’re thinking, “What song should we sing this month?” or “I’m looking for something with a good rhythm!” The song “Oh, the Meadow is Green” is the Japanese version of the folk song “Ach, synku, synku”/“Ach, krásná louka” (often known in English as “Ah, Lovely Meadow”), which has been sung for a long time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
By adding some choreography, you can enjoy engaging with the music even more.