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.
- Folk songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular tunes everyone can enjoy
- [Japanese Folk and Regional Songs] A Collection of Beloved Masterpieces from Across Japan, Brimming with Local Pride
- Nursery Rhyme Popular Song Rankings [2025]
- Folk songs, children's songs, and nursery rhymes of Nagasaki: the heart of the hometown passed down through song
- Okinawan folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down through song.
- [Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- Children’s songs, school songs, and nursery rhymes with a river theme. Beloved classics about nostalgic watersides.
- [Children’s Songs] Let’s Sing of Spring! A Fun Collection of Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children’s Songs
- [Warabe-uta] Beloved Classic Songs Passed Down Through Generations
- Sky nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs
- Folk Songs of the World | Hometown Songs Passed Down Abroad
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
Folk Song Popularity Ranking (91–100)
Santa Claus the ScatterbrainLyrics by Osamu Yoshioka / Music by Asei Kobayashi99rank/position
The multi-talented Asei Kobayashi composed the Christmas song “Awatembō no Santa Claus” (The Hasty Santa Claus).
It’s a cute song featuring a scatterbrained Santa, and it was even sung on NHK’s children’s program “Okaasan to Issho.” Santa comes before Christmas, tries to go down the chimney to deliver presents, and ends up falling in.
It’s a situation where most would feel discouraged, but this Santa’s charm is that he doesn’t forget to enjoy himself even then.
I hope the children who listen to this song will grow up to be as resilient and cheerful as Santa.
Donguri KorokoroLyrics by Aoki Sonetsugi / Music by Yanada Tei100rank/position
In autumn, you can find lots of little acorns scattered along the paths, right? The song “Donguri Korokoro” tells a charming story about such acorns.
It begins with a lightweight acorn that rolls and rolls until it falls into a pond.
At first, it has fun playing in the water with a kind loach, but gradually it becomes homesick and wants to return to the mountain where it came from.
The lyrics are a bit bittersweet, but when you sing it, sing cheerfully—and make sure to collect lots of acorns!