Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.

100% Courage

100% Courage (Nintama Rantarō Season 1 Opening)

A song beloved by everyone, widely passed down as the theme song of the anime Nintama Rantaro.

It has been covered by groups from Johnny & Associates such as Hey! Say! JUMP, Sexy Zone, and NYC, and is now regarded as a rite-of-passage song for Johnny’s Jr.

The A melody repeats the same phrase, making it friendly and easy to memorize, and the energetic chorus pairs perfectly with choreography that makes you want to pump your fist.

With choreography, it really shines on stage.

The vocal range isn’t very wide, making it perfect for 4-year-olds to sing.

If you’re unsure what to choose, go with this! A highly recommended track.

Swim, Taiyaki-kunMasato Shimon

Swim! Taiyaki-kun

Though it’s a children’s song, Shimon Masato’s “Swim! Taiyaki-kun” remains etched in the memories of people across generations.

The unique story of a taiyaki that had only ever been grilled on a hotplate suddenly dashing out of the shop one day and setting off to swim across the open sea is unforgettable! The distinctively quirky vocals perfectly match the taiyaki-kun’s characterful lyrics.

With its relaxed melody, it’s an easy song to sing—even for older adults who aren’t confident at karaoke.

The tune naturally sinks into your ears and body, so sway along and clap your hands as you enjoy it!

Frog Chorus

Japanese Children’s Song – Dōyō – Chorus of Frogs – Kaeru no Gasshō

It’s widely known as “Kaeru no Uta,” but did you know the official title is actually “Kaeru no Gasshō” (The Frog Chorus)? In fact, many people get the latter half of the lyrics quite wrong.

If you sing it at karaoke, you’ll definitely hear, “Wait, is that how it goes?”

Mr. Elephant

Zou-san | Children's song | Red Cat Reading

Composed by Ikuma Dan, its gentle 3/4 rhythm evokes the swaying of an elephant’s long trunk, making it a very soothing piece.

The lyrics are by Michio Mado, and it has become one of his signature works.

He began writing poetry in his twenties, and at the age of 25, his talent was recognized by the great poet Hakushu Kitahara.

Throughout his life, he published poems expressing dissatisfaction with society, which resonated deeply with many people.

King Kamehameha of the Southern Islands

[Popular Children's Songs for Summer Vacation] The Hamehameha Great King of the Southern Island / Minna no Uta (Covered by UtaSuta)

The song “King Kamehameha of the Southern Island” caused a huge sensation when it was sung in 1976 on NHK’s Minna no Uta by illustrator and TV personality Ado Mizumori.

Many of you might feel nostalgic about it.

Even the title—‘Kamehameha Daiō’—has such a fun ring to it.

It’s the kind of title that naturally makes children curious about what the song is like.

The rhythm is also perfect for kids to play along with, sing, and dance to, so it’s a highly recommended tune.

I think children will start keeping the beat instinctively just by hearing it, without anyone having to teach them.

That’s how catchy, fun, and easy to sing this children’s song is.

Under the big chestnut tree

Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree (with gestures)

It’s a song about playing together happily under a chestnut tree—that’s what this tune is.

Thinking about it that way makes me wonder why we all learned and sang it when we were little, but it surprisingly gets everyone hyped at karaoke.

After all, songs everyone knows are great because they’re fun by that alone, aren’t they?

Rainy Moon

Rainy Moon - Shoko Haida

A beautiful piece that paints a scene themed around rain and the moon.

Its waltz-like triple meter carries a certain melancholy, making it a truly wonderful classic.

The lyrics, written by Ujō Noguchi, revolve around “rain,” a word that is also part of his own name.

The ring of light seen around the sun or moon is called a “kasa” (halo).

By overlaying this with the image of an umbrella (also pronounced ‘kasa’), the song conjures a poignant and dreamlike world.