[2025] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A roundup of fun festival tunes

Vegetable Ondo

Vegetable Ondo

Everyone, when you think of summer, you think of Bon Odori! Among Bon Odori songs that kids can enjoy, this bright and cheerful tune is a top recommendation.

Its charm is that you can move your body and dance while rhythmically singing the names of vegetables.

Through the lyrics, children can also learn about vegetables that appear—like cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumbers—their characteristics, how they’re grown, and tasty ways to eat them.

The easy-to-remember chorus, “Ya-ssa, ya-ssa, yassa~i~,” is sure to be a hit with kids! Widely loved at nursery and kindergarten sports days and recitals, this song can spark children’s interest in vegetables.

Be sure to include it in your summer memories by dancing together as a family and having fun.

Fortune Cookie in Love

Wadaiko Bon Odori Song – “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie” Chiba Kagura Daiko 2018, 32nd Masago Summer Festival, Day 2

When it comes to Bon Odori, many people probably think of traditional Bon dance songs, but these days pop songs are sometimes used as they are.

One of the frequently used tracks is AKB48’s “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie.” Released in 2013, this song is widely known, which likely makes it easy for many people to accept.

Ise Ondo

Ise Ondo “Standard Ise Ondo”

Ise Ondo is a folk song that was sung in Ise Province during the Edo period and spread throughout Japan.

Various regional versions of Ise Ondo exist.

It is said to have originated as a lumber-hauling work song (kiyari-uta) sung by okihiki who transported timber for the Ise Grand Shrine’s periodic rebuilding, as songs sung along the pilgrimage routes to Ise, and as popular tunes in the entertainment quarters around the Shrine.

Broadly, it appears to be divided into the “Seichō Ise Ondo” style and the “Ise Dōchū-uta” style.

Hokkai Bon Song

Hokkai Bon Uta

This is “Hokkai Bon Uta,” famous as the original song for the opening theme of The Drifters’ TV program ‘It’s 8 O’Clock! Everybody Assemble!’ The record by enka singer Michiya Mihashi was a huge hit and spread nationwide.

While it has become established as a Bon dance song in Hokkaido, it is also frequently included in the set lists of summer festivals and Bon dances throughout Japan.

Happyppi with the Ojamajo Ondo!!

Little Witch Doremi ED4 / Ojamajo Ondo de Happippi

Ojamajo Doremi has been airing as an anime since 1999 and has been popular with children across a wide range of ages.

The song “Ojamajo Ondo de Happippi!!” was used as the ending theme for the fourth series, Ojamajo Doremi Dokka~n!.

The lyrics include character names and magic spells, so children who know the anime will find it familiar.

Even if they don’t know the show, the playful chants, call-and-response lines, and lyrics that capture the story’s comical feel are sure to draw their interest.

The choreography that the characters actually dance in the ending is easy for kids to follow, so encourage them to give it a try.

Otoppe Ondo

[Official MV] Otompe Ending Theme Song “Otompe Ondo”

This is the ending theme of the anime Otompe, which features “sounds” from NHK broadcasts as its motif.

It’s sung by the popular enka singer Yoshimi Tendo.

With lyrics full of playful onomatopoeia, even babies who don’t yet understand words are likely to enjoy it.

The song itself has a familiar, simple Bon-odori feel, so even first-time listeners can dance along easily.

You can learn the choreography from the official video we’ve shared, so be sure to make use of it.

Let’s all enjoy plenty of fun summer moments together!

It's Ham-Ham ONDO, Hamtaro Friends!

’12 July Bon Dance “Hamtaro Ondo”

This is a song from the anime Hamtaro, which portrays the bustling everyday lives of hamsters.

It was used as the ending theme to coincide with summer broadcasts during the Bon Odori season.

In the summer of 2012, a newly arranged version titled “Hamuhamu ON-DO da, Ham-Chans! 2012” was also aired.