[Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
The folk songs and children’s songs that resound across Hokkaido’s land carry the lives, joys, and prayers of people who have long faced its harsh nature.
Traditional music such as Esashi Oiwake and Soran Bushi has been passed down across generations and remains deeply rooted in many hearts today.
In this article, we introduce beloved classics—folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes—that have been handed down in Hokkaido and are still cherished today.
Why not lend an ear to these nostalgic melodies and feel the allure of music nurtured by the northern land?
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Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido: Beloved Hokkaido Songs Across the Ages (21–30)
Children’s Bon Odori SongYoshiko Mochida
It’s a Bon Odori song for children that originated in Ebetsu, Hokkaido.
Since Bon Odori songs were originally meant for adults, this one was created for children and was even incorporated into school education.
Including the sound of horse bells—“shanko shanko”—in the lyrics is a cute touch, isn’t it?
Iyasaka OndoVictor Boys Folk Song Society
This is a work song that was sung when knocking off the roe after the herring fishing season ended.
Aomori’s “Ajigasawa Jinku” was brought in by fishermen and spread as far as Hokkaido, where it became known as the “Iyasaka Ondo.” Because of the practice of striking off the eggs, it is also called the “Ko-tataki Ondo” (egg-knocking song).
Nanchu SoranTakio Ito
Brimming with youthful energy, I realized for the first time just how cool the Soran Bushi can be.
It’s said that the version of Soran Bushi arranged by folk singer Takio Ito was turned into a dance by teachers and students at a junior high school in Wakkanai, Hokkaido.
It later became famous nationwide.
The Soran Bushi is alive in the present.
Fuki Festival OndoYuko Yokokawa
This is a new folk song from Kushiro City.
Every June, the “Northern Venus Fuki Festival” is held in Onbetsu, featuring a thousand-person dance, sales of products and dishes related to fuki (butterbur), and even competitions using fuki—an entire celebration devoted to it.
A festival with fuki as the main theme is quite rare, isn’t it?
Donan Nut BushHatakeyama Folk Song Association
It was a popular song from the Meiji era, sung mainly in Hokkaido.
It was sung among female workers at canning factories and came to be called the “Natto-bushi” from the refrain “natto natto.” The faint feelings of love toward a man returning to the mainland are touching.
The Song of the Flow of the Ishikari River in Crimson ScarletSeikō
This is a new folk song from Hokkaido that sings of the Ishikari River, whose source is the majestic Daisetsuzan.
Just listening to the music conveys that grandeur.
Its leisurely melody carries Daisetsuzan, the Kamikawa Basin, and the Ishikari River, unfolding a landscape full of natural beauty.
You might even get a better taste of the Ishikari River than by looking at a travel magazine.
Southern Hokkaido Bon Festival Song
This is a bon-odori song from southern Hokkaido.
It is said to have been passed down from Akita’s “Takanosu Bon Song.” True to a Bon song, it sings somewhat humorously about how to dance well and how to lead the chant.
It also tells people not to chat, but to work while singing.