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Japanese shoka (school songs). Nostalgic tunes, songs of the heart.

From among various shoka (traditional school songs), our studio staff present recommended masterpieces and popular tunes.

This is a nostalgic playlist that sings of the Japanese spirit.

Playlist

Japanese shoka (school songs). Nostalgic tunes, songs of the heart.
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastOsaka City Streetcar SongA nostalgic streetcar song that sings of Osaka's charms
2eastWe Look Up to You with RespectPublished in 1884 and in 2007 designated as one of Japan…
3eastpuffComposed by Peter Yarrow, and Peter Ball…
4eastA Hazy Moonlit NightEver since it was published in 1914, it has long remained beloved to this day...
5eastBELIEVEThe third-generation narrator of NHK's 'Ikimono Chikyuu Kikou' (Living Creatures Earth Journey) is En...
6eastBorn on this planetLyrics and composition by Ryuichi Sugimoto; recorded on CD in 1996…
7eastDona DonaThe composition is by the American Sholom Secunda, and 1…
8eastSpring has come.Published in 1910, and in 2007 it was designated as a ‘Nat...
9eastMomotaroIt was published in 1911. The lyricist is unknown...
10eastMorning on the RanchIt was published in 1932. Located in Fukushima Prefecture…
11eastRide a hot air balloon to the ends of the earthSumida Children’s ChoirThe lyrics are by Tatsuwo Higashi, and the music is by Kokusyu Hirayoshi; it is a two-part choral piece…
12eastThe Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomMasako KawadaI hear it’s inspired by Shizuoka’s mandarin orange orchards, and from the hill…
13eastThe Mountain Hut’s LightToshiro OmiThe orthodox singing style is pleasant to listen to. Ho...
14eastautumn leaves (momiji)Yoko Seri
autumn leaves (momiji)Yoko Seri
The work was apparently published in the Meiji era, so it’s quite old...
15north_eastSpring StreamPublished in 1912 and for over a hundred years…
16north_eastsand hillKiyoshi AtsumiWhen you mention Atsumi-san, I can’t help but think of Tora-san, so...
17north_eastSummer MemoriesShoko HaidaThe place name Oze, and the flower called skunk cabbage (mizubashō)…
18north_eastMount FujiIt was published in 1911. In 2007...
19north_eastWe are children of the sea.Published in 1910, and in 2007 it was designated as a ‘Nat...
20north_eastBallad of the MonstersSumida Children’s ChoirThe song, released in 1972, has lyrics written by Fumi Okada…
21north_eastOompapaSuginami Children’s ChoirThe song that appears in the musical Oliver!...
22south_easthometownsongSing about the scenery of my hometown and my feelings for my family
23eastFlowerComposed by Rentarō Taki, a representative musician of the Meiji era, ...
24eastsnowPublished in 1911, with the lyricist and composer unknown…
25eastrabbitIt was released in 1982. At the time, the school edu...
26eastsnailIt was released in 1911, but the lyrics and music...
27eastDoll Festival (Hinamatsuri/Girls’ Day)It was released in 1933. Lately, I often hear it...
28eastwinter sceneryIt was published in 1913. In 2007...
29eastEvening Glow (Yuyake Koyake)Lyrics published in 1919 were set to music in 1923...
30easthometownIt was published in 1914. In childhood…
31eastthe Hinomaru flagIt was published in 1911. In 1941, …
32eastseaIt was released in 1913, but the lyrics and music...
33eastkoinobori (carp streamers)Published in 1913. A carp swimming through the sky...
34eastpigeonIt was published in 1911. In 1941...
35eastCOSMOSLyrics and composition by Mimas. In 2000, by Yutaka Tomizawa...
36eastThe Bell of PeaceLyrics and composition by the singer-songwriter Nakasato Sachi…
37eastSugarcane fieldLyrics and composition by Naohiko Terashima, inspired by a visit to Okinawa…
38eastGreen GreenIn 1963, an American folk group, …
39eastI found the first starIt was released in 1932. The lyricist is Akashi…
40eastSing, Bam-Bam!As the theme song for a program broadcast in 1970...
41eastUrashima TaroIt was published in 1911. In 1900...
42easttea pickingBoth the lyricist and composer are unknown. 1…
43eastA gentle green breezeHibari Children’s ChorusIt gives you a refreshing and very bright feeling…
44eastSummer has comeThe PeanutsIt seems the work was completed quite a while ago, but...
45eastI found a little sign of autumn.The Bonny JacksWhile playing or going about daily life, listening to...
46eastWatermill in the ForestMichiko NamikiIt's a bouncy, fun song. Let's work happily...
47eastThat Town, This TownSachiko KubokiWith the famous duo of Shinpei Nakayama and Ujō Noguchi, this one, too, is...
48eastBlue-Eyed DollYumiko UchidaThe first time American dolls appeared in Japan...
49eastHeight comparisonSatoko KogaI sense a relaxed, close-knit sibling dynamic of that era...
50eastThis roadTaeko OhnukiThe impression I’d had from listening to this song up until then was kind of…
51eastDesert of the MoonHako YamasakiI was surprised at first—Hako-san is doing this song?
52eastWhere does the morning begin?Atsuro Okamoto · Aiko AnzaiIt seems to be a publicly solicited work created to encourage Japan right after the end of the war...
53eastteru teru bozu (a traditional Japanese handmade doll hung to wish for good weather)Miyoko Hirayama, Kajiko Nakayama, Masako OmuraI used to sing it when I was little, and anyway, clear skies...
54eastRaja MaharajaJun TogawaLyrics by Mikuko Fukuda, composed by Yoichiro Yoshikawa, “Mi…
55eastTsutomu from the Yamaguchi FamilyKozue SaitoLyrics and composition by Minami Ranbou; in 1976, “…
56eastI want to become the wind.Sapporo Kitano Children’s ChoirLyrics and composition are by Miyazawa, the vocalist of THE BOOM…
57eastSakura, sakuraSuginami Children’s ChoirWhile boldly blooming across the entire sky, a children's choir…
58eastFlower TownTokyo Tama Boys and Girls ChoirThe lyrics were written by Akiko Ema and the music composed by Ikuma Dan; in the postwar period, it became a 1...
59eastThe dolphin goes splish-splash.Tokyo Broadcasting Children’s ChoirLyrics by Ryuo Azuma, music by Shoji Wakamatsu, and elementary school lo…
60eastWhispers of HopeTokyo Mixed ChorusThe composer is Hawthorne from the United States. The Japanese…
61eastHarvest MoonYasuko UkishimaI don’t think I’ve ever thought about the lyrics of this song before...
62eastEarly Spring OdeSaori Yuki, Shoko YasudaThis song was also selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs”…
63eastLet’s search for TomorrowThe 1989 work with lyrics by Toru Hori and music by Tetsunori Osawa...
64eastTomorrowLyrics and music by Ryuichi Sugimoto; for NHK’s “Ikimono…”
65eastThere’s no such thing as ghosts.Lyrics by Minori Maki, music by Yo Mine, for lower elementary school grades…
66eastmaple leaves
maple leaves
It was published in 1911. In 2007...
67eastMy BalladMatsui, who is popular for composing and arranging choral pieces for students...
68eastyoung fox (kit)
young fox (kit)
The original song is a German children's song, and in Japanese...
69eastfoalIt was published in 1910. Number one is a foal...
70eastKantarō the North Wind KidMasaaki SakaiThe lyrics were written by Takao Ide and the music was composed by Wakako Fukuda in 197...
71eastHappy HinamatsuriSatoko Yamano · Morinoki Children’s Choir
Happy HinamatsuriSatoko Yamano · Morinoki Children's Choir
A heartwarming song that cherishes Japan’s seasonal traditions...
72eastPlover on the BeachMasako MoriIt seems the coastline of Kashiwazaki in Niigata Prefecture is the motif. Quiet…
73eastChoo-choo trainReiko MizutaniBack in the days before even the Shinkansen existed, steam locomotives kept on...
74eastKing Kamehameha of the Southern IslandsSeiji TanakaLyrics by Akira Ito, music by Koichi Morita. Warm…
75eastblack kiteIt was released in 1958. "Pinyoro…
76eastTo the futureLyrics and music by Chiharu Tamashiro. It was released in 1998...
77eastHarmony Traveling the FutureThe 71st NHK National School Music Co… (Fiscal Year 2004)
78eastVoices of InsectsPublished in 1910, and in 2007 it was designated as a ‘Nat...
79eastred dragonflyAmong the works for which Rofu Miki wrote the lyrics in 1921 is …
80eastwaiting in vainTomoko MiyamotoThe song seems to have been composed in the Taisho era, but domestically…
81eastOn the Day of DepartureThe lyrics were written by Ko..., who was the principal of a junior high school in Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.
82eastMoon
Moon
It was released in 1910. 'Tankō-bushi' and…
83eastVillage AutumnChieko Baisho
Village AutumnChieko Baisho
I just thought it was a quiet and calm song…
84eastMoon over the Ruined CastleMasafumi Akikawa
Moon over the Ruined CastleMasafumi Akikawa
A majestic world evoked by Ms. Akikawa’s resonant singing…