Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

[Classic] New Year’s BGM: Music for Japan’s New Year and Spring Festival

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
lightercatnap
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

When New Year’s comes around, you often hear New Year-ish music around town and on TV, don’t you?

Hearing songs that feature traditional Japanese instruments like the koto, flute, and shamisen really brings out the New Year atmosphere.

In this article, I’ll introduce pieces you often hear as New Year’s background music, as well as songs whose vibe is perfect for the season.

Many of these pieces carry auspicious wishes, so try looking into the meanings embedded in the music.

Some entries also mention the composers; if you look up their other works, you might discover even more pieces that are perfect for the New Year.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful New Year along with the songs introduced here.

[Classic] New Year’s BGM: Japanese Music for the New Year/Spring Festival (21–30)

mochi poundingLyrics by Junichi Kobayashi / Music by Yoshinao Nakata

Children’s song “Mochitsuki” (Mochi Pounding), lyrics by Jun’ichi Kobayashi, music by Yoshinao Nakata

Mochitsuki (Rice Cake Pounding) Lyrics: Jun’ichi Kobayashi / Music: Yoshinao Nakata

This song splendidly captures traditional New Year’s scenes in Japan, masterfully expressed by the renowned duo of children’s music! Jun’ichi Kobayashi’s warm lyrics pair perfectly with Yoshinao Nakada’s friendly melody, joyfully portraying the lively atmosphere of rice-cake pounding.

Released in the 1950s, the song has continued to be sung by many people and cherished as a classic New Year’s tune.

It’s an excellent choice for setting a festive New Year mood or introducing children to Japan’s traditional culture.

Sing it together with family and friends, and it will surely become a delightful memory.

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Hakone HachiriRentaro Taki

Hakone Hachiri

Hakone Hachiri Taki Rentaro

Rentaro Taki, who left a profound mark on the history of Japanese music and gave the world numerous timeless songs that are still sung today.

Active during the early Meiji era when Western music was being introduced, Taki is known for works that blend Japanese lyrics with Western melodies.

But did you know he actually released a piece that’s perfect for the New Year season? This song is a Japanese shoka (school song) published in 1901 in “Chugaku Shoka,” featuring a poem by Makoto Torii set to music by Taki.

The lyrics depict the harshness of Hakone’s mountains in the past and present, and the valor of the samurai who crossed them, conveying both the beauty and severity of Hakone’s nature as well as the lives and history of its people.

If New Year’s immediately makes you think of the Hakone Ekiden, be sure to use this song as your BGM as you welcome the New Year.

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[Standard] New Year’s BGM: Japanese music for the New Year/First Spring (31–40)

Hitotsu to ya

Counting song (New Year’s counting song) ♪ With just one night passing, it becomes lively — a children’s song

Hitotsu to ya

There’s a counting song called “Hitotsu Toya” that’s beloved at New Year’s.

A counting song is one that incorporates numerals or centers on the act of counting, and “Hitotsu Toya” is a counting song whose lyrics include New Year’s decorations and children’s play.

The patterns vary by era and region, so it might be nice to ask what the lyrics are like in your area when family and relatives gather for the New Year.

It’s something you can enjoy with small children, too, so try learning a variety of versions.

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Kiyobushi

Kiyobushi (Akita Prefectural Folk Song)

Kiyobushi

What do you think when you hear the shamisen’s wonderfully supple sound in Akita Prefecture’s folk song “Kiyobushi”? Precisely because overseas holidays have taken root in Japan and are getting more and more popular these days, on traditional Japanese holidays like New Year’s, we’d like to listen to music that is quintessentially Japanese.

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Light of Fireflies

Light of Fireflies

Light of Fireflies

Although it has come to be strongly associated with the song that plays before closing time, a few decades ago it was famous as the song played when the New Year arrived at the countdown.

It’s often thought to be a Japanese song, but it’s actually a Scottish folk tune.

The image of it varies by generation, but it’s a representative song themed around the New Year.

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Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss I

Radetzky March · J. Strauss

Radetzky March Johann Strauss I

Like The Blue Danube, this is also a staple piece at the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.

Composed by Johann Strauss I, this work has been revised over many years.

It’s a classical piece that is often used by Japanese media during the New Year as well.

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Oedo Nihonbashi

Hauta: Oedo Nihonbashi

Oedo Nihonbashi

Let me introduce a chic tune that heightens the New Year’s atmosphere.

This folk song, born in the Edo period, weaves the post towns and famous spots of the Tokaido Fifty-Three Stations into its lyrics.

Starting from Nihonbashi and moving on to Takanawa, Shinagawa, and Omori, the words make you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time to the Edo era.

Its distinctive hayashi chorus of “Kochae, kochae” is so catchy you’ll find yourself humming along just by listening.

In fact, since 2015 this piece has also been used as the departure melody on the Tokyo Metro.

If you’re sightseeing in Tokyo over the New Year, be sure to keep an ear out.

It’s a perfect BGM choice for your first shrine visit or New Year’s sales outings.

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