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 Ranking (91–100)
Brr, it's so cold.Lyrics: Kazasaburō Ishihara / Music: Torazō Tamura92rank/position
Oosamu Kosamu is a song that depicts a child who can no longer bear the winter cold, crying in the mountains.
It was composed by music educator Torazo Tamura with lyrics by Wasaburo Ishihara, who wrote many children’s songs.
The lyrics evoke a scene of white snow piling up, and the melody conveys the chill of winter.
Perfect for the cold season, the song fits well with children’s hand-play and snow play.
It’s a winter-themed song beloved by a wide range of ages, from children to adults.
Whale ClockLyrics by Kazuo Seki / Music by Takeshi Shibuya93rank/position
A fantastical song that fills children with excitement.
Its soft, warm, and beautiful melody blends perfectly with lyrics rich in storytelling.
First broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1983, it has remained popular, with reruns and inclusion on related albums.
The piece is also used in school music materials as a song that teaches the importance of time.
Listening to it during the rainy tsuyu season or on June 10th, Time Day, will surely put you in a gentle mood.
Singing it with choreography will further spark children’s imaginations.
Warm and leisurely strollingLyrics by Hiroo Sakata / Music by Akihiro Komori94rank/position
The children’s song “Poka Poka Teku Teku” evokes the bright, cheerful atmosphere of spring.
The lyrics were written by Hiroo Sakata, who also penned songs like “Sacchan” and “Onaka no Heru Uta,” and they’re wonderfully upbeat, conjuring images of lively children.
The music was composed by Akihiro Komori, known for works such as “Obentobako no Uta” and “Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan,” and its marching-style, nostalgically bright melody really touches the heart.
hometownLyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano / Music by Teiichi Okano95rank/position
On long autumn nights, do you ever suddenly think of your hometown and feel a little lonely? This piece has a warm melody that seems to gently stay by your side in such moments.
Its lyrics depict the original landscapes of home that everyone carries in their hearts, like the hills where we chased rabbits and the rivers where we caught small crucian carp.
First released in 1914 as a Ministry of Education school song, it was performed at the closing ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, moving audiences around the world.
It is a classic that continues to be sung in Japanese by overseas groups such as IL DIVO.
It’s the perfect song for those living away from home, listening to the chirping of autumn insects and quietly reflecting on their roots.
Dear TorajoAkiko Seino96rank/position
As you can tell at a glance from the lyrics, this song is also based on “Nanyadoyara.” With its cheerful tone, it’s very much what you’d call a typical Bon Odori song.
A woman’s name appears in the lyrics, and she was a real person who was reputed to be a beauty.
Song of a little bird97rank/position
When you hear little birds chirping, you can feel that spring has arrived, right? This song adorably and catchily sings about those quintessential sounds of spring.
The lyrics, which mimic birdsong, are truly lovely.
It’s a perfect song for preschoolers to sing with lively, bird-like energy, dreaming of the day they spread their wings.
Vegetable Song98rank/position
The song “Yasai no Uta” features lots of vegetables.
It’s super cute and easy to remember because it turns parts of the vegetables’ names and their characteristics into onomatopoeia in the lyrics.
It’s also great as a hand-play song and rhythm activity, so it’s a recommended tune.
July is when it really starts to feel like summer, and many kinds of summer vegetables come into season.
This song can help kids who don’t like certain veggies—and even the ones they usually eat—grow more fond of them.
It’s also nice to introduce each vegetable’s traits after you finish singing.