Japanese ondō: a seasonal tradition everyone can enjoy.

Ise Ondo

Ise Ondo – Saijō Version with Subtitled Lyrics

A folk song that was sung in Ise Province during the Edo period and spread throughout Japan.

There isn’t just one “Ise Ondo”; there are several types such as the “standard Ise Ondo” and the “travel Ise Ondo,” and the lyrics vary, which makes it interesting.

The standard Ise Ondo has a fairly slow tempo, so it seems easy to sing and dance to.

Conversely, the travel Ise Ondo has a slightly faster tempo and feels quite lively.

Earth Invasion OndoOndo☆Girl

Earth Invasion Ondo (Song of the Earth's Invasion)

It’s the theme song from the anime “Sgt.

Frog.” Given that it’s titled something like “Earth Invasion,” you’d expect it to be pretty serious, but the lyrics and melody are totally carefree.

In the middle, there’s a “kero kero kero~”—the sergeant’s croak—which makes it amusing.

Anpanman Ondo ’99Dreaming, Keiko Toda, Koichi Yamadera, Tsunehisa Fujii

Anpanman Ondo ’99

An anime song in the style of an ondō, delivering rock-solid reliability from the golden duo: lyrics by Takashi Yanase and music by Takashi Miki.

The track unfolds under the guidance of a serious-sounding MC, while the singing is lively and performed by characters from the show, including Anpanman and Kamameshidon.

Mamurogawa OndoMichiya Mihashi

Mitsuhashi Michiya - Mamurogawa Ondo

It is a folk song from Yamagata Prefecture.

This postwar folk song was arranged based on Hokkaido’s “Natto-bushi,” and the original lyrics are said to have been written by the proprietress of a ryotei (traditional restaurant) in Mamurogawa Town.

Although it’s an ondo (a rhythmic dance song), it is also beloved as an easy-to-listen ozashiki song.

Lupin OndoHaruo Minami

Lupin Ondo - Haruo Sanba

Some of you might be surprised: “It’s Lupin, but Haruo Minami?” It’s like, is it really okay to cheerfully belt out something like “Steal it all across Japan!” in a bon-odori style? There’s even proper choreography, and if you sing and dance the whole thing, I think it’s quite a fantastic festival tune.

Tokyo Olympic OndoHaruo Minami

Tokyo Olympic Ondo by Haruo Minami

It’s famous as the theme song of the Tokyo Olympics held in October 1964.

With lines like “Haa—We’ve long awaited this festival of the world—,” the lyrics directly express Japan’s excitement and thrill at hosting the Olympics.

Moreover, the fact that it’s presented in the style of an ondo (traditional Japanese rhythm/dance song) feels distinctly Japanese.

Pretty Cure Ondo ~Smile Wink~Mayumi Gojo

Precure Ondo ~Smile Wink~

It’s an adorable festival-style song.

The interjection “tte iu shi!” feels very Precure-like and cute.

The whole song has a chorus and melody that stick in your head after just one listen.

If there’s one drawback, it’s that it’s rather flat overall and the chorus doesn’t quite reach a climax.