[2025] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A roundup of fun festival tunes
Bon Odori, a quintessential summer tradition! Festival stalls sell games and delicious food, making it hugely popular with kids.
Here, we’ll introduce a variety of wonderful Bon Odori songs—from tunes children already know to unique arrangements of J-pop and Western music.
Lots of new songs are appearing, too.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure about the dance steps—what matters is having fun.
Kids and adults alike, be sure to join in Bon Odori and make some great memories!
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[2025] Bon Odori songs every child knows! A fun roundup of festival tunes (61–70)
Hello Kitty Ondo
Sanrio’s popular character, Hello Kitty.
Born in Japan yet beloved worldwide, she’s an iconic representative of kawaii culture.
Her bon-odori song, “Hello Kitty Ondo,” might sound like it would be fancy and cute, but it actually turns out to be a solidly authentic, mellow Japanese ondo tune! Still, since it’s sung by Kitty-chan, it’s undeniably cute.
If you’re celebrating Obon at Sanrio’s theme park, Sanrio Puroland, this is the song to go with!
Drifters' Vibanon OndoThe Drifters
‘Drifters’ Vivanon Ondo’ is a song created as a parody of The Drifters’ signature hit ‘Ii Yu da na.
‘ It features a rhythmic, catchy melody and comical lyrics full of laughter.
Centered on the joy of everyday life and the importance of smiles, the song was released as a single in June 1973 and was chosen as the ending theme for TBS’s program ‘It’s 8 O’Clock! All Gather!’ It continued to be used on Fuji TV’s ‘Drift Dai Bakushō’ until 2003, remaining beloved across generations.
The Drifters’ humor and the tune’s familiar, easy-to-enjoy melody make it a perfect song for occasions like summer festivals, where it brings smiles to people’s faces.
Lupin Ondo
The manga Lupin the Third, created by Monkey Punch, has gained immense popularity through anime and films.
Thanks to collaborations with Detective Conan, a live-action adaptation, and a 3DCG film, it’s beloved by a wide range of generations, not just adults.
The song used in the ending of the Lupin the Third movie The Mystery of Mamo is Haruo Minami’s Lupin Ondo.
The lyrics portray from beginning to end just how amazing a guy Lupin is.
Its rhythm fits well with choreography used in typical Bon Odori dances, so children who know the song or the anime—and those who don’t—can easily enjoy dancing to it!
Yakuza Young Men's Festival Song
This is an insert song from the 1956 Toho film “Romance Musume,” starring Hibari Misora, Eri Chiemi, and Izumi Yukimura.
It features an upbeat style that evokes the energy of the era and lyrics that recall the spirit of Edo natives, making it a perfect fit for mikoshi and happi coats.
Donpan-bushi
This piece, Donpan-bushi, is quintessential Bon Odori music.
It has been a beloved staple of Japan’s Bon dance repertoire since around 1935.
There are many Bon Odori songs across Japan, but Donpan-bushi originated in Akita Prefecture.
True to the Tohoku region’s rich folk tradition, it lets you enjoy the distinctive flavor of Japanese minyo (folk song).
As the title suggests, its charm lies in onomatopoeia you can feel intuitively: “don” evokes the sound of the drum, and “pan” the sound of rhythmic handclaps.
Osomatsu-kun Ondo
Fujio Akatsuka and Fujio Pro’s gag manga Osomatsu-kun.
The manga and an anime adaptation were released in the 1960s, and when the anime aired again in 2015 to commemorate Fujio Akatsuka’s 80th birthday, a new boom took off, especially among young women.
Chosen as the ending theme for the 1988 Osomatsu-kun anime—beloved across generations—was Osomatsu-kun Ondo, sung by Takashi Hosokawa.
The lyrics are unique, featuring the characters’ parts being swapped around.
Even if you’re not good at dancing, let the quirky lyrics guide you and dance freely!
Genghis Khan (also refers to a Japanese grilled mutton dish called 'Jingisukan')
When you think of Bon Odori, many people probably imagine distinctly Japanese-sounding music.
However, there’s also a song called “Dschinghis Khan” by a German group of the same name that’s sometimes used for Bon Odori! In Japan, the song became well known through its use in the TV drama Water Boys, a Japanese-language cover by Berryz Kobo, and appearances in various media.
Unlike the more relaxed style of traditional Bon Odori, this upbeat track is best enjoyed by jumping, bouncing, and moving your arms and legs a lot to match the lively vibe.
It’s a perfect song for energetic kids to dance to and have fun.