Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherDr. Chick
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom WriterMoe Tsukada
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

When you hear “songs for January,” what kinds of tunes come to mind?

There are many, from those often sung in childcare settings and schools to classic pieces that have been loved in Japan for many years.

Here, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes and hand-play songs that you’ll want to enjoy with children in January.

Everyone has different experiences with the songs they’ve grown up with, so try talking about them with your family and friends.

You might even come across some songs for the first time.

These are all songs that can be enjoyed across generations and that we’d love to pass on to the children who will shape the next generation.

[January Songs] Nursery rhymes and hand-play songs we want children to enjoy (1–10)

January 1stLyrics: Sonpuku Senke / Music: Shingyō Ue

♪ January 1st (with choreography) [♪ Japanese Song / Shoka]

New Year's Day – Lyrics by Sonpuku Senke / Music by Man'yuki Ue

“Ichigatsu Ichijitsu” is the quintessential song that always plays on New Year’s TV programs—a piece that symbolizes “The Japanese New Year.” Many people hear it and think, “Ah, it’s New Year’s,” savoring the start of the year.

The lyrics are filled with auspicious imagery like kadomatsu decorations and the first sunrise.

By the way, how do you pronounce the title “一月一日” in your head? The official readings are actually “Ichigetsu Ichijitsu” or “Ichigatsu Ichijitsu.”

’ Tuck this little tidbit into your New Year’s small talk!

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snowLyrics by: San Mukasa / Composer: Unknown

[Children's Song] Yuki ya konko – kids' song, nursery rhyme, Minna no Uta, Japanese song. ♪ Yuki ya konko, arare ya konko ♪ Melody Line

Snow Lyrics: Mikasa San / Composer: Unknown

“Yuki” (Snow) has been sung by many people since the Meiji era.

This children’s song describes scenes like snow falling and piling up, and a dog rejoicing as it watches.

Its charm lies in how the lyrics convey the excitement of a fresh snowfall.

Why not sing it with the hopeful feeling, “I wish it would pile up soon”? Another lovely point is the depiction of timeless, beautiful imagery—such as fields turning white—that has been praised for generations.

What kinds of pictures will children imagine as they sing this song?

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The wind and the snow are my friends.Lyrics by Junichi Kobayashi / Music by Nelson & Rollins

Wind and Snow Are Friends Too: Children’s Song (Winter) [Lyrics with Movements] for Ages 3–5

The wind and the snow are friends Lyrics by Junichi Kobayashi / Music by Nelson & Rollins

Watch “The Wind and Snow Are Friends” (Lyrics: Junichi Kobayashi / Music: Nelson & Rollins) on YouTube

Packed with the joys of winter, this song delights with lyrics that tickle children’s playful spirits.

It likens the wind and snow to friends and portrays the fun of flying kites and having snowball fights.

Broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” starting in December 1961, it has long been loved by many.

Various artists, including Junko Uchida and Yuko Kanzaki, have covered it.

Even children who aren’t fond of playing outside in the cold might find outdoor fun more appealing after hearing this tune.

It’s a perfect song for creating winter memories that the whole family can sing together.

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[January Songs] Nursery Rhymes and Finger-Play Songs for Children to Enjoy (11–20)

A winter song that lets you enjoy playtime, too.

How was our carefully selected Top 10? From here, we’ll continue introducing songs perfect for the chilly month of January! We’ve chosen familiar winter tunes as well as songs that kids can dance to or use for hand-play. Be sure to listen and have fun with them!

bonfireLyrics: Seika Tatsumi / Music: Shigeru Watanabe

Takibi (♪ At the corner of the hedge) by Himawari 🌻 with lyrics | Children's song [One Hundred Selected Japanese Songs] Takibi

Takibi (Campfire) Lyrics: Seiika Tatsumi / Music: Shigeru Watanabe

Characterized by vivid scenes that evoke the chill of winter, this song depicts the warm interactions of people gathered around a bonfire, and its lyrics are filled with many winter traditions.

First broadcast in December 1941 on NHK’s radio program “Time for Young Children,” it has since been widely loved in kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools.

From 1952, it was also included in first-grade music textbooks, making it a classic cherished across generations.

It’s the perfect song to sing with family and friends during the cold season when you want to feel warm at heart.

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Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanLyrics/Music: Akira Tashiga

Cha-cha-cha of the Snowman

Snowman Cha-Cha-Cha Lyrics/Music: Akira Tashiga

When I hear “cha-cha-cha,” the first thing that comes to mind is the children’s song ‘Omocha no Cha Cha Cha,’ and if we’re talking pop songs, Akemi Ishii’s smash hit ‘CHA-CHA-CHA.

’ Cha-cha-cha is a rhythm and dance of Cuban origin, so pairing it with an unmoving snowman is a delightfully mismatched and amusing combination.

The mini-story-like lyrics—‘It started snowing, so I made a snowman, and then the snowman began to dance’—are fun, too.

It’s a song that makes you want to tap castanets or a tambourine to the cha-cha-cha rhythm.

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Spring SeaLyrics by Yūki Geshi / Music by Michio Miyagi

Spring Sea (Haru no Umi) — Michio Miyagi

Spring Sea Lyrics: Geshi Yūki / Music: Miyagi Michio

The duet for koto and shakuhachi composed by Michio Miyagi is widely cherished as a piece that symbolizes the Japanese New Year.

Inspired by the serene scenery of the Seto Inland Sea, the work expresses the tranquility and beauty of the spring sea.

It was recorded in November 1932 in collaboration with a French violinist and received high acclaim abroad.

The piece is often used as New Year’s background music on television, radio, and in commercial facilities.

Evoking Japan’s natural beauty and seasonal changes, it is recommended for those who wish to spend a quiet, peaceful time.

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[Finger-play song] Mochi GlassesLyrics/Music: Unknown

[January Fingerplay] Mochi Glasses♪ “Mochi-Pounding Pettan Pettanko~” A song kids sing every day at nursery school/kindergarten after winter break! Children’s song! (With lyrics)

[Hand Play Song] Mochimegane Lyrics/Composition: Unknown

When it comes to New Year’s in Japan, there are many seasonal traditions like osechi cuisine, New Year’s gift money, fukuwarai, and New Year’s cards, and mochi is definitely one you can’t leave out.

It’s often in ozoni soup, and people pound mochi at the end of the year to eat during the New Year, so it’s strongly associated with the holiday.

“Mochi Glasses” is a hand-clapping song based on mochi pounding.

In it, you tap your thumbs and the other fingers together—pat-pat—one after another as if pounding mochi.

Speeding it up makes it tricky, and even adults can find their fingers getting tangled.

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