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Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song

When we hear the gentle melodies of nostalgic children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes, memories from our early childhood come vividly rushing back, as if we’ve crossed time and space.

Perhaps you, too, have a “song of nostalgia” that has stayed with you since you were young.

In this article, we introduce iconic Japanese children’s songs (shoka), folk songs and nursery rhymes cherished and passed down across the regions, as well as beloved tunes often featured in school performances and recreational activities.

Shall we set off on a heartwarming sonic journey into the world of children’s songs that softly reflect Japan’s seasons, culture, and everyday life?

Playlist

Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastPlease let me pass.children’s songNursery rhymes and children's play songs from the approach to Kawasaki Daishi Temple
2eastOld Man with a BeardLyrics: Unknown / Music: Hidemitsu TamayamaThe charm and fun of the fingerplay song “Hige Jiisan” (Grandpa with a Beard)
3eastFrog ChorusLyrics by Toshiaki Okamoto / Original song: German folk songA song with an easy-to-remember melody that’s good for singing in a round
4eastPiglet-raccoon dog-fox-catLyrics and Music by Naosumi YamamotoA hand-play song with animals using shiritori, hugely popular with children
5eastMomotaroLyrics by Unknown / Music by Teiichi OkanoThe story of the traditional Japanese children's song “Momotaro”
6eastThe Puppy Police OfficerLyrics by Yoshimi Sato / Music by Onaka MegumiA police dog helping a lost kitten
7eastLet’s clap our handsLyrics: Junichi Kobayashi / Original: Czech folk songA song that expresses joy with handclaps, loved by a wide range of generations.
8eastsnowMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)A masterful song, rich in sensitivity, that sings of the arrival of spring.
9eastKing Kamehameha of the Southern IslandsLyrics by Akira Ito / Music by Koichi MoritaThe gentle family song of the Hawaiian royal family
10eastTen thousand feet in the AlpsAt the summit of Kogyari, enjoying a hand-clapping song.
11eastGonbe-san’s BabyLyrics: Akira Tashiga / Original: American folk songA gentle, beloved children's song with lyrics by Akira Tajika
12eastpine coneLyrics by Takao Hirota / Music by Tsyae KobayashiAutumn nursery rhyme of pinecones and a monkey
13eastteru teru bozu (a traditional Japanese handmade doll hung to wish for good weather)Lyrics by Kyomura Asahara / Music by Shinpei NakayamaA nursery rhyme that places wishes in a rainy day's doll
14eastBanana Parent and ChildLyrics by Kazuo Seki / Music by Wakako FukudaThe Banana Family’s Fun Song and Family Love
15eastThe Bear of the ForestAmerican folk songA Nursery Rhyme about a Bear’s Adorable Encounter in the Forest
16easthometownLyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano / Music by Teiichi OkanoA timeless song that sings of hometown scenery and memories
17eastMr. ElephantLyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma DanA children’s song with lyrics by Michio Mado
18eastseaLyrics by: Ryūha Hayashi / Music by: Takeshi InoueMasterpieces depicting seascapes: the charm of heart-stirring school songs
19eastFlowerRentaro TakiSpring Scenery: The Allure of Cherry Blossoms and Songs on the Sumida River
20eastBrr, it’s so cold.children’s songChildren’s songs for the cold season are simple and charming.
21eastSummer MemoriesLyrics: Akiko Ema / Music: Yoshinao NakataNostalgic summer classics, the beauty of nature that resonates with the heart
22eastClose It, Open ItMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)Fingerplay songs are popular in childcare and among the elderly.
23eastMother in the EveningLyrics by Hachirō Satō / Music by Yoshinao NakataA timeless song that sings of a mother's warmth on an autumn evening
24eastOngoChildren’s singing in Osaka on a summer evening
25eastThe scenery of the whole worldSpring scenes captured in a nostalgic playground song
26eastoshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)Oshikura manju is a winter playground song.
27eastTulipLyrics by Miyako Kondo / Music by Takeshi InoueTulip song, love of color and diversity
28eastZuizui ZukkorobashiA song that depicts the harsh era of “kirisute gomen.”
29eastChoo-choo trainIn the past, trains and ships were the main modes of transportation.
30eastSakura, sakuraA famous song that represents Japan, praising the beauty of cherry blossoms
31eastOne, two, three, four, two, fiveA traditional counting nursery rhyme enjoyed with finger play
32eastOonami KonamiPopular music teaching materials for eurhythmics and jump rope
33eastGoodbye, ankoro mochi.A traditional song of wordplay that wishes for reunion
34eastFrom inside the bamboo groveA rhythmic play song that nurtures children's imagination
35eastHorsetail shoots are poking up.A wordplay masterpiece that lets you feel the breath of spring
36eastKeep crossing the bridge one after another.A playable nursery rhyme featuring a fox
37eastPretty good.children’s songSongs to enjoy with children through rhythm play
38eastOpened, openedchildren’s songA spring children's song, singing of nature and tradition
39eastThe Sparrow SchoolSparrow School, a song that now feels nostalgic
40easthazy moonlit nightSpring rapeseed blossom fields, cherishing traditional children's songs
41eastMother’s SongA mother's love remains unchanged across eras.
42eastSeagull SailorThe era when sailor uniforms and songs were popular
43eastCute fishmongerIn the past, I used to buy ingredients from peddlers.
44eastDonguri KorokoroNursery rhymes nurture children’s hearts and emotions.
45eastCome, fireflyFireflies’ glow, a scene of Japanese summer
46eastThe gentle green breezeNostalgic songs and greenery, memories of spring long ago
47eastskiingNostalgic Memories of Winter Sports and My Father’s Songs
48eastSeven-year-old childRaising young crows is an all-or-nothing act of love
49eastItsuki LullabyA plaintive song of an apprentice child, a folk song from Kumamoto
50eastHarvest MoonThe Rabbit Song: A Lonely Tale of a Solitary Girl
51eastRed sky at duskThe melody remains in the daily lives of Japanese people.
52eastThe monk of the mountain templeThe Monk’s Strange Imaginary Song World
53eastCome, springA children's song awaiting spring in snow-deep Niigata
54eastHeight comparisonThe marks on the pillar that recorded a child’s growth are now a thing of the past.
55eastRed ShoesThe girl with the red shoes: a sad fate and a mother’s love
56eastThe Ball and the LordThe sorrowful history hidden in a children's song
57eastyomogi-jōbu nochildren’s songSinging about Japan’s seasons and children’s growth
58eastToy Cha-Cha-ChaLyrics by Akiyuki Nosaka and Osamu Yoshioka / Music by Nobuyoshi KoshibeA fun nursery rhyme about a toy parade, very popular with children
59eastThe Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom
The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom
A beautiful piece depicting the scenery of a mandarin orange orchard.
60eastThe Hare and the TortoiseThe Tortoise and the Hare: Teaching the Importance of Effort
61eastFriendly PathIn the past, children’s commute to school was free and safe.
62eastDesert of the MoonA folk song with exotic flair modeled after Onjuku Beach.
63eastred dragonflySad Memories of the Red Dragonfly and My Older Sister
64eastDoll with Blue EyesBlue-eyed dolls as a bridge of friendship between Japan and the United States