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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Popular Folk Song Rankings (21–30)
Bright Red Autumn22rank/position
One of the classic autumn songs, “Makkana Aki” (Deep-Red Autumn), with lyrics by Tadashi Satsuma and music by Hideo Kobayashi.
As autumn arrives, many things begin to take on color, starting with the autumn leaves.
It’s a very gentle song, like two people strolling together in search of those scenes.
In the comfortable autumn weather, children also have many chances to go out for walks.
It might be fun to sing this song while looking for the “colors of autumn” along the way.
Teacher and friendsLyrics by: Osamu Yoshioka / Music by: Nobuyoshi Koshibe23rank/position
Written by lyricist Osamu Yoshioka and composed by Nobuyoshi Koshibe, “Sensei to Otomodachi” (Teacher and Friends) helps ease children’s anxieties through cheerful interactions and gives them a positive start to their new lives.
The lyrics depict moments of bonding with teachers and friends—holding hands, exchanging greetings, and more.
Carrying a message that encourages kids to feel safe and adjust to a new environment, the song is also marked by a bright, easy-to-remember melody.
It’s a perfect springtime song to sing with children at the start of a new school term or when entering kindergarten.
winter sceneryMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)24rank/position
The Ministry of Education’s song “Winter Scenery” depicts a day from morning to evening at the beginning of winter.
The first verse portrays a misty morning by the waterside, the second verse a daytime rural scene where wheat grows, and the third verse an evening village scene with light rain.
Sung to a beautiful melody, these landscapes evoke the gradual transition of the seasons from autumn into winter.
Each image described in the lyrics captures sights commonly seen at the end of autumn and the beginning of winter.
Why not experience the gentle flow of time and the changing seasons along with this song?
Mountain Musicians25rank/position
Autumn is often called the “season of the arts,” isn’t it? Perfect for September, when that season arrives, is The Musicians of the Mountain.
It depicts little squirrels, rabbits, and other animals living in the mountains playing various instruments.
Each one shows off the instrument they’re best at, and in the end they all perform together.
If you sing while pretending to play the instruments like the animals do, it becomes even more fun! It might also be interesting to actually try playing an instrument yourself.
Enjoy an autumn of the arts filled with music.
Song of a little birdLyrics by Junichi Yoda / Music by Yasushi Akutagawa26rank/position
May is a season when you can encounter many birds, isn’t it? How about singing “Kotori no Uta” this May? The lyrics, which depict a little bird calling for its father and mother by singing its favorite song, are so adorable.
Listening to this song might make you want to sing just like the little bird.
Let’s sing along with the little bird in the lyrics! By the way, this children’s song also has choreography, so singing while dancing is recommended too!
Buzz buzz buzzLyrics: Shiro Murano / Music: Bohemian folk song27rank/position
Bun Bun Bun has been sung even in elementary school classes since the 1940s.
The lyrics were refined by Shiro Murano, and the song depicts bees collecting flower nectar in spring.
Because it features many onomatopoeic words used in the title, it’s fun to sing together in a lively way.
Another highlight is the abundance of lyrics that evoke springtime scenes.
It’s nice to let your imagination wander and think, “What kind of landscape is this song describing?” Incidentally, the tune originally comes from a traditional Czech folk song, to which Japanese lyrics were added to create its current form.
Height comparisonLyrics by Atsushi Umino / Music by Shinpei Nakayama28rank/position
This is a song with a gentle, nursery-rhyme-like melody that celebrates Children’s Day on May 5.
The lyrics, filled with hope, focus on the marks on a pillar that record a child’s growth and the way their height shoots up—a heartwarming theme.
Checking children’s growth by the notches on the pillar becomes a fond memory when one looks back as an adult.
How about enjoying this special once-a-year day with this song?