[Minna no Uta] Beloved Across Generations: Nostalgic Classics and Popular Songs

The Puppy Police OfficerLyrics by Yoshimi Sato / Music by Onaka Megumi

[Song Anime] The Dog Policeman (Sung by Itchy & Naru) - Little lost, little lost kitten, where is your home? ~♫

This work, which portrays a heartwarming story of a police dog gently trying to help a lost kitten, is one of Japan’s representative children’s songs, where Yoshimi Sato’s warm lyrics and Megumi Ohnaka’s familiar melody blend beautifully.

While empathizing with the kitten mewing “nyan, nyan, nyan” in distress, the police dog also seeks help from a crow and a sparrow, and his kindness and efforts warmly touch listeners’ hearts.

Composed in the 1950s to 1960s, the song became beloved through educational programs such as NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and “Okaasan to Issho,” and continues to be cherished by many children.

I found a little sign of autumn.

I found a little sign of autumn.

This song is a classic representative of autumn.

Although it’s a children’s song, it’s sung with a wistful melody that captures the season’s melancholy atmosphere.

As the weather turns a bit cooler in autumn, it’s nice to sing this song while searching around your home for small signs of the season.

It’s a piece that lets you keenly feel Japan’s unique four seasons.

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)

This song features a distinctive tropical-sounding melody.

We don’t often listen through all the lyrics, but in fact, the song says that not only the great king but every resident of this southern island was named Hamehameha! It’s one of those songs that, when you revisit the lyrics of something you casually sang as a child, you discover all sorts of new things.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

At first, it’s not scary at all, but the song gradually takes on an eerie atmosphere.

And the ending is so traumatic that it might be too frightening unless you’re a bit older.

The outcome of continuing that dreamy journey of time travel might be scarier than many anime.

It’s even more chilling when it’s sung in a gentle female voice.

Banana Parent and ChildLyrics by Kazuo Seki / Music by Wakako Fukuda

Banana Parent and Child | Children's Song | Kids' Song | covered by UtaSta

This heartwarming work by Kazuo Seki and Wakako Fukuda comically portrays the adorable everyday life of the Banana family living on a southern island.

The repeated phrases woven from the sounds of each family member’s name create a catchy rhythm that even small children will naturally hum along to.

First aired in 1982 on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” it has continued to be loved in many households.

It’s also included on the album “Okaasan to Issho Memorial Album,” making it perfect for parents and children to sing together! How about spending a cozy time with everyone while feeling the bonds of family?

Kantarō the North Wind Kid

Kantarō the North Wind Kid

A classic winter song that makes you feel the chill of the season just by listening.

The part where they shout the name is especially memorable! You can sense the cold from the melody’s atmosphere and the lyrics describing the sound of the wind.

When the north wind whooshes in at the start of winter, it’s a song that makes adults and children alike think of Kantarō.

Let's go to the zoo.

Let’s Go to the Zoo (Okaasan to Issho) / Daisuke Yokoyama & Takumi Mitani

This is a song that celebrates the charm of the zoo that everyone loves.

I’m sure there were kids who begged their parents to actually take them to the zoo after hearing it.

Even listening to it again now, it’s the kind of song that makes you think, “Maybe I’ll go to the zoo this weekend.” How about heading to the zoo while listening to this nostalgic tune?