Popular Ranking of Ministry of Education Shoka Songs [2025]

It seems that “Monbushō shōka” refers to the collective name for songs included in elementary school music textbooks compiled by the Ministry of Education from the Meiji era through the Showa era.

They’re all famous tunes that everyone has hummed at some point, and some people might be surprised to find, “Wait, this song is a Monbushō shōka too?”

Many of these pieces will probably feel fresh and new to those born in the Heisei era.

Playlist

Popular Ranking of Ministry of Education Shoka Songs [2025]
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	snowMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A masterful song, rich in sensitivity, that sings of the arrival of spring.
2	winter sceneryMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A song depicting a day at the beginning of winter
3	Tea PickingMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The familiar melody of “Chatsumi” is so pleasant...
4	Spring StreamMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Along with the gentle murmur of calm waters, a rustic, tender…
5	We are children of the sea.Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		It could be called a classic children’s song about the sea that has been around for a long time…
6	seaMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The Ministry of Education song “Umi” is among Japan’s children’s songs...
7	Voices of InsectsMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The song of autumn insects has been sung for over 100 years.
8	Winter nightMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A warm time spent with family on a snowy night
9	Octopus SongMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		“Ta…,” a song that sings of a kite freely dancing in the sky
10	Mount FujiMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		An ancient-themed work centered on Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan…
11	Spring has come.Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A heartwarming Ministry of Education shoka depicting the arrival of spring
12	koinobori (carp streamers)Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Koinobori, a song wishing for children's growth
13	Morning on the RanchLyrics: Ministry of Education Shoka / Composition: Eikichi Funabashi		A piece that evokes a refreshing summer morning, “Pasture’s…”
14	pigeonMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		In the city, when you catch sight of pigeons, you can’t help but go, ‘Poh, poh, poh…’
15	YukiMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The history of this song is very old; in fact, it’s been nearly 100 years...
16	I found the first starMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The Tanabata song that was sung at the old national elementary schools
17	Koi in the pondMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Savoring it while picturing the scenery of a refreshing season…
18	tea pickingMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A celebrated song depicting the seasons and tea picking
19	Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival / Girls’ Day)Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		When you just look at the title written in kanji as “雛祭,” it kind of seems like…
20	Winter nightLyrics and composition: Ministry of Education shōka (school song)		On a cold winter night, a beautiful moment where you can feel the warmth of family…
21	rabbitMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The Charm of a Children's Song about the Harvest Moon
22	snailMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The Charm of the Snail Song and Its Cross-Generational Love
23	carp streamerMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		As May approaches, you can hear the children’s song in various places…
24	black kiteMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		It starts from the opening line of the song “Tobe Tobe Tonbi” and then...
25	Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri/Girls’ Day)Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The “G missing” pentatonic scale so-called, the piece composed in it, ‘U…’
26	Bean-throwing (Mamemaki)Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		When it comes to what we do for Setsubun in February, it’s driving out demons and inviting good fortune...
27	Close It, Open ItMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Jean, known as a French philosopher…
28	skiingMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The season when New Year parties are held is right in the middle of winter...
29	We Look Up to You with RespectMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		The Third Volume of the Elementary School Songbook, published in 1884...
30	MoonMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A nostalgic song praising the beauty of the full moon
31	Moon (The moon has come out, the moon has come out)Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Famous for its opening line that everyone recognizes...
32	moon; monthMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A nostalgic children's song, 'Tsuki' (Moon), perfect for moon viewing
33	village festivalMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Autumn village festival: preserving traditional folk songs
34	scarecrowMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		This song is, astonishingly, from 1911 (Meiji 44), included in the Elementary School Songbook...
35	Plum blossoms and nightingalesMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		As a song for the second grade of elementary school (Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka), in 1911…
36	The sound of insectsMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		A song that beautifully sings the sounds of autumn insects
37	Snowball fightMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		As a traditional way to play in the snow, the ever-popular snowball fight...
38	My shoes are squeaking.Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)		Since its birth in 1919 (Taisho 8), the innocent play of children…