Kyoto’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
A special feature on folk songs and nursery rhymes from Kyoto Prefecture, one of Japan’s premier tourist destinations and home to countless historic sites.
Kyoto has long been a stage for history and is rich in diverse cultures.
Even within the category of “folk songs,” the periods in which they were created vary widely, and there are many genres of songs that reflect local lands and customs.
If you’re a local, many of these may ring a bell.
And if you live in the Kansai region, you might even encounter songs whose melodies are the same but whose lyrics differ.
Shall we unravel Kyoto’s history through its songs?
- [Kyoto Songs] Masterpieces that sing about Kyoto — songs themed on the ancient capital. The enduring heart of our hometown passed down in song.
- Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Osaka: the enduring spirit of our hometown carried on in song
- Ranking of Popular Folk Songs
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- Children’s songs, school songs, and nursery rhymes with a river theme. Beloved classics about nostalgic watersides.
- Ministry of Education songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes. The heart of Japan passed down in song.
- [Parenting] Parent-child bonding! Hand-play songs and traditional nursery rhymes collection
- Fukuoka’s folk songs and children’s rhymes: History and sentiments conveyed by the nostalgic melodies of home
- [Folk Songs of Yamagata] The Heart of Our Hometown Passed Down in Song: Feelings Woven into Nostalgic Melodies
- [Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
- Folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes of Kumamoto: the enduring spirit of our hometown passed down through song.
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Hiroshima: the enduring heart of our hometown, passed down through song.
- Beautiful Folk Songs Passed Down in Miyagi Prefecture: A Collection of Masterpieces that Play the Heart of the Hometown
Kyoto’s folk songs, nursery rhymes, and children’s songs: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (11–20)
staring contest
It’s a nursery rhyme where you puff out your cheeks while singing.
You take turns making funny faces at each other, and whoever laughs loses.
It’s great for playing with little kids.
Playing face-to-face like this might be quite rare these days, but once you try it, it’s really fun.
Temple Gokō Fuya Tomi
This is a song listing the north-south street names in Kyoto City.
The streets of Kyoto are lined up from Teramachi Street in the east all the way to Senbon Street in the west.
Especially for those who have recently moved to Kyoto, you may have found the street names hard to remember.
In such cases, it’s a good idea to listen to this song several times.
Fuchu Tairyobushi
The “Fuchu Tairyobushi” was sung by fishermen from Fuchu Village, located in what is now Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture.
At first, it was sung as a plea to the sea gods for a big catch, and to announce when large hauls of Kintaru sardines—fish that could only be caught in Miyazu—were landed.
Later, it came to be sung as a “rowing song” for oar work and at celebratory occasions.
The bold, full-throated singing style carries a powerful presence that perfectly suits prayers to the gods and proclamations of a great catch.
It’s a piece that vividly reflects its regional character.
The black cat behind our house
It’s a cute children’s song about peeking at a black cat behind the house as it primps itself, putting on face powder and lipstick.
It’s a handball song, a type often found among children’s songs passed down in Kyoto.
There seem to be songs about a black cat with the same melody in other regions as well, but the lyrics differ slightly.
How many moons are there?
The children’s song “Otsukisan Ikutsu” is sung in various places across Japan, such as Ise and Akō District in Hyōgo, with lyrics that differ slightly from place to place.
This is the Kyoto version, and its words vary a bit from those elsewhere.
Like the tale of the Straw Millionaire, the situation keeps changing—because this happened, the next thing happens, and then that leads to something else—unfolding into a delightfully evolving set of lyrics.
The Kyoto version begins by asking, “How old is the moon?” and ends with the image of a dove flying off to the mountains.
Be sure to listen and find out what kind of drama unfolds in between!
Later, jori-kojori.
It’s said to be a cheer song, a kind of chant, for babies who push their hands out and move backward before they can crawl.
The lyrics are simple—something like, “There’s nothing behind you, so let’s move forward”—but it carries a Kyoto-like nuance.
Perhaps in the past, simple songs like this were created and sung all across Japan.
Kyoto’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: The heart of our hometown passed down in song (21–30)
Smitten with Atago-san
“Atago-san ni Maitre” is a song enjoyed while touching and interacting with a child’s body.
“Atago-san” refers to Atago Shrine in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, which is also the head shrine of all Atago Shrines nationwide.
Following lyrics that playfully rename parts of the body, you can pet a child’s head, pinch their nose, or touch their cheeks as you play.
In addition to Atago-san, the spot Otowa Falls also appears, so it’s a nice way to get your child familiar with the city of Kyoto while you play together!