Ranking of Popular Folk Songs
That nostalgic melody, passed down through generations—the heart of our hometowns.
We’ve researched a wide range of folk songs from past to present, from East to West! In this article, we’ve selected popular tracks based on reliable feedback from music fans who’ve contributed to our site so far.
Among them, we’ll introduce the most acclaimed ones in a ranked format.
Please take a look.
We also researched children’s songs like nursery rhymes and lullabies, as well as work songs and songs for ceremonies and events.
In recent years, new ways of listening to folk music—championed by acts like Minyo Crusaders and Riyō Sanmyaku—have been attracting a fresh audience.
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Folk Song Popularity Rankings (61–70)
Nakazun Nagare64rank/position
There are many standard pieces in Eisa, a traditional folk performing-dance of Okinawa, and “Nakazhoon Nagari” is one of the representative ones.
In the Okinawan dialect, it is pronounced Chunjun Nagari.
Although the lyrics mention Tanabata, this summertime song is often used for Okinawa’s Bon dances.
Dancers offer prayers to the local deities and memorials to their ancestors through the performance, celebrating health, safety, and prosperity.
The celebratory song “Nakazhoon Nagari” is now performed and enjoyed across Japan, even at events like school sports days.
Child of Autumn65rank/position
Here is a song with lyrics by Hachirō Satō, known for works like “I Found a Little Autumn” and “Happy Hinamatsuri.” The music was composed by Yasuo Suehiro, who is also known as the director of an aquarium.
You can feel Satō’s warm, affectionate perspective toward children in the lyrics.
It may be less well-known among children’s songs, but it’s a lovely piece—please try singing it together with your child.
It’s a charming song filled with the spirit of Japan’s good old days.
Bountiful Harvest Dance66rank/position
Hounen Ondo has an upbeat ondo rhythm that feels great.
This song is a Ryukyuan folk tune in the “kachaashii” genre, meant to be danced at a fast tempo while shaking your wrists side to side.
Along with Tinsagu nu Hana’s famous counterpart “Tōshin Dōi,” it’s extremely popular in Okinawa! The drum phrases that emphasize the off-beats here and there are striking, giving it a vibe like a rock ’n’ roll version of Okinawan folk music.
It’ll make you want to jump into an Eisa dance!
A Town Where It SnowsComposer: Yoshinao Nakada67rank/position
Yuki no Furu Machi o is a slightly melancholic children’s song that depicts a town where cold snow falls.
First introduced in 1951 as an insert song for the radio drama Eriko to Tomo ni broadcast on NHK Radio, it has a long history.
It was later featured on Minna no Uta, which helped it gain wider recognition.
Winter’s chill has a way of making us feel lonelier and more desolate than in other seasons, stirring a bittersweet mood.
This subtly mature children’s song expresses the hope that such feelings will drift away with the cold winter wind as we move toward the warmth of spring.
Kantarō the North Wind KidLyrics by Takao Ide / Music by Wakako Fukuda68rank/position
It’s said that this song was created with the concept of an enka tune for children, inspired by the TV drama “Kogarashi Monjirō.” It was first presented on “Minna no Uta” in 1974, sung at the time by Masaaki Sakai, and a remake version sung by Saburō Kitajima was released in 1982.
Many people were likely charmed by the cute animation of Kantarō, with his rosy cheeks and fair complexion.
The song has appeared multiple times in elementary school music textbooks and can be considered a winter classic loved by a wide range of generations.
King Kamehameha of the Southern IslandsLyrics by Akira Ito / Music by Koichi Morita69rank/position
This is a heartwarming song that lightens the spirit, depicting the laid-back daily life of King Hamehameha and his family on a southern island.
The unique premise is that everyone on the island shares the same name, and their relaxed tropical lifestyle is sung over a warm melody.
It was first broadcast in 1976 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” performed by Ado Mizumori and Top Gallant.
The accompanying puppet-show visuals also drew attention, and the song was released that June as a double A-side single.
Sing it with the whole family and you’re sure to enjoy a delightful time!
FlowerLyrics by UEO Takeshima / Music by Rentarō Taki70rank/position
The spring classic “Hana” was composed by Rentaro Taki.
Its rhythmic melody conveys the buoyant feeling of spring! The lyrics depict the colorful, splendid scenes typical of the season.
Simply listening to the song while taking in the lyrics brings vivid springtime images to mind.
Because the Sumida River appears in the lyrics, Tokyo’s Sumida City has adopted the song as a beloved community anthem.
There is also a monument inscribed with the lyrics in Sumida Park along the Sumida River.
Take a cheerful stroll along a springtime path and sing along!