Children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes for Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)
Did you know that besides the famous Hina Matsuri song “Ureshii Hinamatsuri,” there are many other songs for the Doll Festival? In this article, we’ll introduce children’s songs, folk songs, and traditional play songs related to Hina Matsuri.
“I want to hear that song I listened to as a child,” “We sing ‘Ureshii Hinamatsuri’ every year… I’d like to try other songs too.” If that sounds like you, be sure to check out the Hina Matsuri songs we’re about to introduce! Each song has its own unique melody and lyrics, so you’re sure to enjoy the festival with a fresh feeling!
Doll Festival children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes (1–10)
Hina dollsPicture Book Songs
This is the picture book children’s song “Ohinasama.” Its lyrics are very short and describe the atmosphere of the Doll Festival.
The content overlaps with other Hinamatsuri songs, but the melody is very refreshing and really lifts your spirits.
It’s a song I’d love to hear sung by a girl dressed as an Ohinasama doll.
Happy HinamatsuriSatoko Yamano · Morinoki Children's Choir
When it comes to Hinamatsuri songs, this is definitely the one that comes to mind first.
When March 3rd, Hinamatsuri day, arrives, I can’t help but hum this tune.
It’s an old song, but it might be thanks to it that, without even realizing, we’ve learned the names and characteristics of the dolls related to Hinamatsuri!
Sakura mochi♪
This is a hand-play song themed around adorable sakuramochi.
It’s one of the childcare-focused contents familiar from “Baku-san Channel” and is popular with children.
The lyrics, which depict a pink rice cake wrapped in a cherry leaf, are especially memorable.
By doing hand motions to the rhythmic melody, kids can enjoyably learn about the seasons and traditional Japanese culture.
It’s perfect not only for activities in nurseries and kindergartens but also for bonding time at home!
Delicious hina-araregaagaaS
“Oishii Hina-arare” is a work by gaagaaS.
It’s thoughtfully designed so children can enjoy and become familiar with seasonal events, featuring educational content for ages 0–2.
It was released on YouTube around February 2024 and appears to be used in childcare settings as well.
How about listening to it with your family during the Hinamatsuri season? It’s sure to bring smiles to children’s faces!
Ehehe♪ A delightful Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival)Me and you.
As an idea for enjoying Hinamatsuri, how about the hand-play song “Ihihi♪ de Ureshii Hinamatsuri”? This piece is a hand-play song created for preschool and kindergarten children.
It features lyrics that let kids learn about the culture and customs of Hinamatsuri in a fun way, along with simple choreography.
Words like “Hinamatsuri,” “hina dolls,” “hina-arare,” and “hishimochi” appear, and when combined with the rhythmic song phrases, children can also enjoy the wordplay aspect.
The tempo can be adjusted according to age and developmental stage, so children across a wide range of ages can join in.
Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri/Girls’ Day)Lyrics: Yanagiha Hayashi / Music: Kozaburo Hirai
Monbusho shoka refers to songs that were composed for elementary education institutions known as jinjo primary schools, which existed from the Meiji Restoration until the outbreak of World War II.
In the case of this song, perhaps to avoid the somewhat somber impression of traditional Japanese scales for young children, it is composed in a major key reminiscent of songs like Kintaro’s Song.
It conveys a bright, festive feeling appropriate for Hinamatsuri.
Hand-play song “Mochitsuki on the Third Day of the Third Month”
Speaking of Hinamatsuri, it falls on March 3rd, a date with repeating numbers, so it’s easy to remember.
Here’s a fun hand-clapping song themed around March 3rd.
Facing each other in pairs, you clap your hands vertically as if pounding mochi.
While keeping a relaxed rhythm with your claps, you add movements that slip into the gaps between your partner’s claps.
Quick reactions and a good sense of rhythm are important so you don’t bump into your partner’s hands.
The light onomatopoeia that mimics mochi pounding is also one of the delightful features of this song.