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 Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Classics from Across Japan Brimming with Local Pride (41–50)

Kusatsu-bushi (Kusatsu folk song)Nanchi Kinryu

Kusatsu Bushi, Nanchi Kinryu

Kusatsu-bushi Nanjikinryu

Kusatsu Bushi is a folk song that originated in Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Prefecture.

It is one of the songs sung during yumomi, the practice of stirring the high-temperature hot spring water with wooden paddles to cool it to a comfortable temperature.

The song with the refrain choinachoi-na is generally known as Kusatsu Bushi but is called Yumomi-uta locally, while the song with the refrain yoh-hohoi is generally known as Kusatsu Yumomi-uta but is called Kusatsu Bushi locally.

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Mogami River Boat SongFumio Otsuka

Fumio Otsuka — At the Celebration — Chorus of the Mogamigawa Boat Song.wmv

Mogami River Boat Song Fumio Otsuka

The Mogami River Boat Song is a boatman’s song and folk song that originated in Aterazawa, Ōe Town, Nishimurayama District, Yamagata Prefecture.

In 1936, when the NHK Sendai Broadcasting Station set out to produce a program titled “Descending the Mogami River,” they asked Kunitoshi Watanabe, a resident of Aterazawa, to introduce a boat song.

However, since there was no song at the time that could be called a unique boat song of the Mogami River, Watanabe, together with Gontarō Gotō, composed a new piece, which became the present-day Mogami River Boat Song.

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Donpan-bushiShigematsu Hirano

Donpan-bushi Folk Song of Japan Shigematsu Hirano

Donpan-bushi Hirano Shigematsu

“Donpan-bushi” is a folk song mainly sung in Daisen City (Nakasen area) in Akita Prefecture.

It is one of Akita’s representative folk songs and is known throughout Japan.

Every year in mid-August, the Donpan Festival is held in the plaza of the Nakasen Branch of the Daisen City Office in Akita Prefecture.

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Soma Bon SongHibari Misora

Hibari Misora: The Legendary Brazil Concert - MISSORA HIBARI (Part 2)

Soma Bon Song Misora Hibari

Soma Bon Uta is a folk song handed down in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture.

It is said that it was once sung as a harvest dance to give thanks to the rice-field deity for abundant crops.

After the war, an edited version by Masao Suzuki became popular, and later covers by major enka singers such as Michiya Mihashi and Hibari Misora helped it gain nationwide recognition and popularity.

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Sansa ShigureMieko Suzuki

Sansa Shigure

Sansa Shigure by Mieko Suzuki

Sansa Shigure is an old folk song handed down in Miyagi Prefecture.

It has been passed down to the present day as a celebratory song sung at festive occasions such as weddings and housewarmings.

The song is said to have been composed and sung by soldiers of the Date army after their great victory in the Battle of Suriagehara in 1589.

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Kaeruda Onsen OndoShakespeare Company

Kaeruda Onsen Ondo

Kaerada Onsen Ondo Shakespeare Company

The folk song announced by the Sendai theater company “Shakespeare Company” is the Kaeruda Onsen Ondo.

Since it’s an original image song, it differs in some ways from traditional folk songs, but the composition is well done and the sound quality is high.

I felt that works like this are surprisingly important.

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Kokiriko-bushiMiyuki Hayashido

Miyuki Rindō “Kokiriko-bushi”

Kokiriko-bushi Forest Road Miyuki

Miyuki Hayashimichi, a folk singer from Nanto City in Toyama Prefecture, is performing the Kokiriko-bushi.

I was amazed that her voice was even more robust than I had imagined.

Folk songs don’t allow for any tricks—you can’t cover the voice with instrumental playing or by turning up the volume.

She truly has a remarkable voice.

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