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

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.

Playlist

Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastSnow KobōzuLyrics by: Toshiko Murayama / Composer: UnknownYutta..., released by King Records
2eastNew Year (Japanese New Year)Lyrics by Kume Azuma / Music by Rentarō TakiI wonder how many more sleeps until New Year’s...
3eastKantarō the North Wind KidLyrics by Takao Ide / Music by Wakako FukudaInspired by the TV drama ‘Kogarashi Monjirō’...
4eastThe Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsSing the twelve zodiac signs in order—Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit...
5eastThe Snow PainterLyrics by Akihiko Noritake / Music by Takashi AndoAs the snow falls and paints the world white, that...
6eastlittle foxLyrics: Katsuo Masaru / Music: German folk songBased on a German folk song, this piece is for children...
7eastGreat Cold, Little Coldchildren’s songThis song is a traditional piece that expresses the cold of the Japanese winter...
8eastJanuary 1stLyrics: Sonpuku Senke / Music: Shingyō Ue“Ichigatsu Tsuitachi” is always played on New Year’s TV programs...
9eastsnowLyrics by: San Mukasa / Composer: Unknown“Snow,” a song that has been sung by many people since the Meiji era...
10eastThe wind and the snow are my friends.Lyrics by Junichi Kobayashi / Music by Nelson & RollinsThis song, full of the joys of winter, is for children...
11eastbonfireLyrics: Seika Tatsumi / Music: Shigeru WatanabeThis ... is characterized by descriptive scenes that evoke the cold of winter.
12eastCha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanLyrics/Music: Akira TashigaThe first thing that comes to mind when I hear “cha-cha-cha” is ‘…
13eastSpring SeaLyrics by Yūki Geshi / Music by Michio MiyagiA duet for koto and shakuhachi composed by Michio Miyagi...
14east[Finger-play song] Mochi GlassesLyrics/Music: UnknownWhen it comes to New Year’s in Japan, it’s all about osechi-ryori (traditional New Year’s dishes), otoshidama (New Year’s money), and fukuwarai (a traditional face-making game)...
15eastsnowLyrics by: San Mukasa / Composer: UnknownIn winter, I can’t help but want to enjoy some fun in the snow…
16eastNazuna Nanakusachildren’s songWhen cooking the seven herbs of spring, there’s an old song that goes…
17eastMr./Ms. North WindLyrics: Tamami Kowase / Music: Yoshinao NakataA song that gently personifies the winter wind has children...
18eastChildren are like the wind.Lyrics/Composition: Children’s SongEven in the cold wind, braving the chill, energetically outside...
19eastWhen it becomes a festive time, it’s New YearLyrics and Music by: Aramaki ShakePlay along with your child with a New Year’s hand-play song...
20eastmochi poundingLyrics: Chou Amano / Music: Michiko IchimiyaMochi eaten in January is delicious, isn’t it? “...
21eastThe Song of KonkonshyanLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama
The Song of KonkonshyanLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akira Yuyama
NHK's educational program 'Okaasan to Issho'...
22eastA Morning of SteamLyrics by Michio Mado / Music by Akihiko NoritakeWhen winter comes and it's cold, when you exhale with a whoosh, your breath turns into steam...
23eastMount FujiLyrics by Konami Iwaya / Composer: UnknownWhat I’d love for you to try singing with your kids on New Year’s is…
24eastSnow and ChildrenLyrics by Junichi Komori / Music by Norwegian folk songIt is considered a Norwegian nursery rhyme, but the original title and...
25eastThe Spinning SongLyrics by: Yoshiko Kayama / Music by: Akihiro KomoriWhen it gets cold, compared to other seasons we wear warmer clothes and...
26eastI look forward to your continued support this year as well.Lyrics and Music by: Aramaki ShakeNursery singer-songwriter Shaka Aramaki sa...
27eastSnow FestivalLyrics/Music: Minami RanboBroadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1984…
28eastPowdery snow konkoLyrics by Toshiko Iijima / Music by Kishiou HiraoKonayuki Konko evokes the atmosphere of winter traditions and...
29eastThe Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsLyrics and Music by Rie MiyahiraA fun song featuring the animals of the Chinese zodiac
30eastOctopus SongLyrics/Music: Ministry of Education Shoka (Monbusho Shoka)Speaking of children’s games in January, it has to be kite flying! In the old days…
31eastLight of FirefliesLyrics: Chie Inagaki / Music: Scottish folk songAs a song for graduation ceremonies, Japanese people somehow find it familiar…
32easthometownLyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano / Music by Teiichi OkanoFamiliar enough to be featured in music textbooks...
33eastWinter ConstellationLyrics by Keizo Horiuchi / Music by HayesThe Winter Constellations was written with lyrics by Keizo Horiuchi and 1…
34eastwinter songLyrics by Tomoko Nakayama / Music by Hristo NejarovIn Japan, on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” many times…
35eastEven Kaze-san.Lyrics by Kaoru Shibayama / Music by Hachiro SatoComposed by Yoshinao Nakada, with lyrics by Kaoru Shibayama, Sa...
36eastKodANUKI PonpoAtomu ShimojōThe heartwarming nursery rhyme of Ponpo the little tanuki
37east[Hand-play song] Konkon Kitsune“Konkon Kitsune,” perfect for a winter hand-play game…
38east[Hand Play Song] Nikuman AnmanA hand play you can enjoy with simple lyrics and choreography…
39eastA Town Where It SnowsLyrics by Naoya Uchimura / Music by Yoshinao NakataWhen it comes to the sights of winter, the beautiful cityscapes with falling snow...
40eastSnowball fightLyrics/Music: UnknownSpeaking of the cold winter season, there are times when snow piles up, and...
41eastGoat MailLyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma DanThe long-beloved children's song “Yagi-san Yubinh”...
42eastpine coneLyrics by Takao Hirota / Music by Tsyae KobayashiThe hand-play song “Matsubokkuri” is accompanied by gestures that match the lyrics...
43eastWhite RoadLyrics by Yoji Umino / Music by Antonio VivaldiVivaldi’s composition “Violin…”
44eastCome, springLyrics by Somao Mikaze / Music by Ryutaro HirotaThe composer Ryutaro Hirota is known for songs such as “Koinobori” and “Sparrows’ School”…
45eastfrost pillarsLyrics by Ujō Noguchi / Music by Nagayo MotooriSinging about the pleasant feeling of stepping on frost columns formed by the winter cold...
46eastWinter nightLyrics/Music: Ministry of Education Shoka (Monbusho Shoka)Composed in the Meiji era as a shōka (school song) for the Elementary School Reader...