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

[Japanese Folk and Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Masterpieces from Across Japan, Brimming with Local Pride

Accompanist / Piano InstructorYuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

From north to south, the traditional singing voices passed down across Japan are treasures of each region.

Perhaps you, too, have a memorable song that your grandparents or parents sang to you when you were a child—or one you sang together.

Folk songs, woven with the lives, cultures, and sentiments of their native places, have been sung across generations.

In this article, we introduce a selection of Japanese folk songs that resonate with the heart.

As you listen to the nostalgic melodies of hometowns, let us touch the spirit and landscape of Japan.

[Japanese Folk and Local Songs] A Collection of Beloved Regional Masterpieces from Across Japan (71–80)

Kuro Dando-bushiChitose Moto

Chitose Hajime “Kuro Dando Bushi”

“Kuro Dando-bushi” by Hajime Chitose

Amami folk singer Chitose Hajime is performing “Kuro Dando-bushi,” which is considered an Amami island song.

As you’d expect from a professional singer, she showcases a wonderful voice, and her shamisen skills are also solid.

Chitose Hajime performing an island song is regarded as very rare and precious.

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Itsuki LullabyYamaguchi Yoshiko

Itsuki Lullaby Yamaguchi Yoshiko (Li Xianglan)

Itsuki Lullaby Yamaguchi Toshiko

Itsuki Lullaby is a folk song handed down in Itsuki Village, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture, and is known as a representative folk song of Kumamoto.

The Itsuki Lullaby is one of the babysitters’ songs, depicting the painful feelings and sorrow of young nursemaids who leave their hometowns to live-in and serve as child caretakers.

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Kiso-bushiMasako Mori

Kiso-bushi (Nagano Prefecture folk song)

Kiso-bushi Mori Masako

The Kiso-bushi is a folk song from the Kiso region of Nagano Prefecture.

Passed down in the Kiso area since the early modern period, it takes as its motif the kawanishi (log driving), in which Kiso timber was floated down rivers, and it sings of the Kiso River, the surrounding mountains, and human warmth.

It is said that the spread of the Kiso-bushi nationwide owed much to the efforts of Jun Ito, who served as the mayor of Fukushima Town (now Kiso Town) from the Taisho era through the prewar Showa period.

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[Japanese Folk and Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Classics from Across Japan Filled with Local Pride (81–90)

Ecchu Owara BushiToyoharu Ejiri

Etchu Obara-bushi (EJIRI Toyoji)

Toyoharu Ejiri, Etchū Owara-bushi

The “Ecchu Owara Bushi” is a folk song that has been passed down in the Yatsuo area of Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture.

It dates back to the Edo period, was refined from the Taisho to the Showa era, and is now regarded as one of the most challenging pieces among Japanese folk songs.

It is also unusual nationwide in that it employs the kokyu (Japanese bowed fiddle) as accompaniment.

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Tsugaru Jongara-bushiAyako Fuji

Fujii Ayako - Tsugaru Jongara Bushi.wmv

Tsugaru Jongara-bushi Fuji Ayako

Tsugaru Jongara-bushi is a folk song from Aomori Prefecture sung with Tsugaru shamisen accompaniment.

Along with Tsugaru Yosare-bushi and Tsugaru Ohara-bushi (Kohara-bushi), it is one of the three major Tsugaru folk songs.

According to one theory, the name “Jongara” derives from the name of a monk, Jōzen, at a temple located in the castle town of Asaseishi in Aomori during the Sengoku period.

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Kuroda-bushiAkaska Koume

Akasaka Koume Celebration Song: Kuroda-bushi

Kuroda-bushi Akasaka Koume

Kuroda-bushi is a folk song from Fukuoka City in Fukuoka Prefecture and a standard number often sung at drinking parties.

It originated as a song sung by the samurai of the Fukuoka domain, known as Chikuzen imayō, and later spread throughout Japan.

Its roots lie in Etenraku-imayō, a style in which various lyrics are set to the gagaku melody Etenraku and sung.

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Kokiriko-bushi

Kokiriko-bushi

Kokiriko-bushi

It’s a famous folk song handed down in the Gokayama region of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture.

The rhythmically played shamisen is performed with remarkable skill, making it easy to enjoy even for young people who may have preconceptions about folk music.

The taiko drumming is also overwhelming, and the thunderous volume is truly astonishing.

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