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Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs
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Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song

Niigata Prefecture is known for hosting traditional Bon dances and festivals, as well as for its large area of rice cultivation and high yields.

We’ve selected many folk songs and children’s songs related to Niigata, including pieces themed around Sado Island.

Folk songs, which are often performed at festivals, convey a lively, festive atmosphere through their rhythmic sounds.

It’s also recommended to explore the background behind songs like “Sado Okesa,” which are beloved across Japan.

Be sure to listen to the folk and children’s songs that showcase the charm of each region of Niigata.

Playlist

Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastTeradomari O-kesaTsukiko FujinoThe beautiful singing voice of Tsukiko Fujinoi and Chiyoe Ōya’s…
2eastEchigo OiwakeSetsumi SuzukiEvocatively capturing the atmosphere of Niigata Prefecture through Setsumi Suzuki’s singing voice…
3eastNiitsu MatsuzakaIf you listen to Niitsu Matsuzaka, which conveys the spirit of Niigata Prefecture, …
4eastKasugayama-bushiMasao SuzukiMr. Gofu Soma, who wrote the lyrics, is from Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture...
5north_eastSummer has comeSakunosuke KoyamaSakunosuke Koyama, a native of Joetsu City (former Ogata Town), Niigata Prefecture...
6north_eastRyōtsu JinkuThe folk song “Ryōtsu Jin…” vividly reflects the culture and climate of Niigata Prefecture.
7north_eastTokamachi Kouta (Tokamachi Folk Song)As a folk song that colors the culture of Niigata Prefecture, “Tokamachi Ko…
8south_eastYoneyama JinkuThe heartfelt Niigata folk song “Yoneyama Jinku,” its co...
9eastEchigo Funakata-bushiEchigo Funakata: Painting Niigata’s heartwarming landscapes with sound…
10eastNiitsu in Four SeasonsChiyoko ShimakuraChiyoko Shimakura’s “Shi…” that breathes with the spirit of Niigata’s land and culture
11eastSado OkesaBunzō MurataSado Okesa was born in the port of Ushibuka City, Kumamoto Prefecture...
12eastSong of the Third-Floor (Sankai-bushi)Murakami Family, ShimekaThe Bon Odori song “Sangaibushi” handed down in the Kashiwazaki area of Niigata Prefecture…
13eastIzumozaki O-kesa“Izumozaki Okesa” is a courtesan who entertains sailors...
14eastNanaura JinkuThe Sado, Niigata folk song that weaves together the island’s spirit, “Nanaura Jinku,” is a...
15eastNiigata Funakata-bushiNamed “Niigata Funakata-bushi” by Setsumi Suzuki…
16eastAikawa OndoThe Aikawa Ondo was created to console the magistrate of Sado’s gold mine…
17eastEchigo ZesshōMichiya MihashiThe song “Echigo Zesshō” sung by Michiya Mihashi is a kayō (popular song)…
18eastHane OkesaKaori KizuKaori Kizu’s “Hane Oke-sa”—it is new…
19eastHymn to the Snowy MountainsEisaburō NishiboriFrom the late Taisho period to the early Showa era, the Kyoto University scholars...
20eastNagaoka JinkuKazuko ItoNagaoka in Niigata Prefecture was granted 100,000 koku by Makino Tadanari in Tenna 4 (1684)…
21eastEchigo LullabyMakiko Kosugi“Echigo Lullaby” is an old folk song of unknown lyricist and composer…
22eastIwamuro JinkuHatsue TsuyaAround 1932, Koryu and Hatsue, warbler geisha from Iwamuro, ...
23eastHow Many Moons?Michiko Dan, Shigeko TosakaThis is a play song handed down in Shiozawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture...
24eastKashiwazaki OkezaMaki IzumiThe folk song “Kashiwazaki Oke…” conveys a heartfelt love for one’s hometown.
25eastsand hillSadako Tokukura“Sunayama” was featured at a children’s song music concert held in Niigata Prefecture…
26eastNiigata KoutaNaoko Soga“Niigata Kouta” is a geisha-entertainment song tradition handed down in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture…
27eastSado JinkuYoko Kondo"Sado Jinku" is a drinking song from the Aikawa area. Originally...
28eastSanjo Kite Festival MusicIn the city of Sanjo, located roughly in the central part of Niigata Prefecture, ...
29eastOni Daiko of SadoIt is said that around 500 years ago, the “...
30eastOsakaHeld in Horinouchi Town, Kita-Uonuma District, Niigata Prefecture (now Uonuma City)…
31eastEchigo-MatsuzakaFutaba family, Itoko“Echigo Matsuzaka,” handed down in Niigata Prefecture, is (said to be) from Kambara in Echigo...
32eastBarrel beatingShinushizakiya MisaoThe “Barrel Tapping” of the Niigata Jinku is also known as the “Niigata Bon Song”…
33eastCome, springSoma Gippo, Hirota RyutaroThe children’s song “Haru yo Koi” (Come, Spring) was created by someone from Itoigawa City in Niigata Prefecture...
34eastBridal DollKōji Fukuya“Hanayome Ningyo” (“Bride Doll”) has lyrics written by someone from Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture…
35eastOgi OkesaThe “Ogi” in “Ogi Oke-sa” is a place name on Sado, and…
36eastPlover on the BeachFORESTA"Hamachidori," published in 1919 (Taisho 8), was composed by Kashima Naru...
37eastKamo MatsuzakaGinji Nakazawa“Kamo-Matsuzaka” is located in the central part of Niigata Prefecture…
38easttrainAira ŌwadaA native of Murakami who was born into a former Murakami domain samurai family, D...