Get pumped with popular songs from “Okaasan to Issho”! A collection of timeless tunes everyone will want to sing together

Goat MailNEW!Lyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan

Nono-chan (Murakata Nonoka) “Yagi-san Yubin” Music Video

A very unique children’s song featuring the absent-minded White Goat and Black Goat.

The lyrics are by Michio Mado, who also wrote “Zō-san,” and the music is by Ikuma Dan.

Its charm lies in the heartwarming world where you can’t help but laugh at the endless loop of the two writing letters back and forth without ever conveying their messages.

First broadcast on NHK Radio in 1953, the song has long been beloved on programs like NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Try singing it together as a parent and child, smiling at the thought that it would be quicker if they just met and talked in person.

Yokai ShiritoriDaisuke Yokoyama / Takumi Mitani

Yokai Word Chain / With Mother

It’s a song where the Yokai Doctor, Rokurokubi, and Zashiki-warashi compete in shiritori.

As the title “Yokai Shiritori” suggests, the game is played using only yokai names, and whoever ends with an “n” loses.

Once you learn it, it’s a lively, catchy tune that’s a lot of fun.

Fruit TarōYuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata

Fruit Boy Taro (with Mother) – Song: NEUTRINO (with lyrics)

A whole bunch of different “Taros”—like Peach Taro, Banana Taro, Strawberry Taro, and Cherry Taro—show up, jostle each other shoulder to shoulder, and end up in tears.

Those tears mix together to become mixed juice and special juice in this energetic and humorous song.

This is “Kudamono Taro,” which appeared as the May 2022 monthly song on NHK’s Okaasan to Issho.

The lyrics and illustrations are by picture-book author Yume Okuhara, and the composition is by BearGround, also known for the music in the puppet show “Garapiko Pu.” With its vividly colorful visuals and upbeat, fun melody, it’s a track that really grabs children’s hearts!

Happappa, haaa!Yuichiro Hanada, Maya Nagata

Happappa's Haa! ◆ Live-Action Dance | With Mother (Okaasan to Issho) | April 2023 Monthly Song / E-TV (E Tele), NHK

This is a rhythmical song themed around the beauty of nature and scenery, long beloved by children: “Happapa no Haa!” It was broadcast on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in October 1974, with lyrics by Takako Yamada and music by Hachidai Nakamura.

The song features the distinctive, repeatedly sung phrase “happapa,” designed to make it fun and easy for children to sing along.

Hachidai Nakamura is also known as a composer active in the Showa era who produced many hit songs.

It’s a heartwarming piece that conveys the joy of music and a love for nature.

Starry Sky CarnivalOsamu Sakata, Yuko Kanzaki

Starry Sky Carnival (Dance for Younger Children)

This is “Hoshizora Carnival,” the monthly song from September 1990, sung by Osamu Sakata and Yuko Kanzaki.

It’s a popular number often used in school performances.

The lively sound has a tropical vibe, and it’s absolutely adorable when children dance to it.

It also feels like a nighttime party, so it could work well for a Christmas event.

Since various animals appear in the song, dressing the kids in animal costumes would be cute too.

Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catNEW!Lyrics and Music by Naosumi Yamamoto

Kobuta, Tanuki, Kitsune, Neko [Song by Mama and Papa] - Okaasan to Issho nursery rhyme hand play

A very fun play song where animal names connect in a shiritori-style chain.

Because the structure repeats the animals’ names, it’s easy to remember, and even children who have just started talking might be able to imitate and sing along.

The charm of this piece lies in the parts where you mimic animal sounds.

The humorous sound of the words may be a curious and amusing highlight.

Originally released in August 1999 as a song by Masako Saito and the Suginami Children’s Choir, it became widely loved after being performed on the NHK program “Okaasan to Issho,” and it remains popular today.

Be sure to sing it together as a parent and child, adding cute gestures to match each animal.

That's a friend.Daisuke Yokoyama / Takumi Mitani

That's What Friends Are — Okaasan to Issho, July–August 2011 Song

It’s a lovely song that makes you feel that it’s okay for everyone not to be the same.

Even if you argue with friends or start to dislike someone, it sings, “That’s okay.” It warms your heart when you listen to it, so please give it a try.