Popular Festival Songs Ranking [2025]

Gion Festival OndoChiyoko Shimakura43rank/position

Gion Festival Ondo — Chiyoko Shimakura / Hideo Yamagata

An indispensable song for Kyoto’s Bon Odori is Gion Festival Ondo.

It’s also used during the Gion Festival, Kyoto’s major summer event, and incorporates the festival’s distinctive chant, “Konkonchikichin.” Released in 1957 as a locally sold record available only in Kyoto, it’s a duet by Chiyoko Shimakura and Hideo Yamagata.

For those living in Kyoto, it’s a familiar tune; for those who once lived there, it’s a nostalgic sound.

Be sure to visit the Gion Festival and listen to Gion Festival Ondo!

Festival FrenzyTokyo Incidents44rank/position

The Carnival

It’s a captivating Tokyo Jihen track that captures the full joy of a summer festival.

The powerful rhythm and funk-tinged sound leave a strong impression, while Ringo Sheena’s distinctive lyrical world unfolds.

Included on the album “Education,” released in November 2004, it stands as a song that symbolizes the band’s early musical identity.

It delicately portrays the feeling of enjoying a special day that breaks away from the everyday, letting you fully savor the festive atmosphere.

It’s perfect for listening at summer’s end and is also recommended whenever you want to get into a festival mood.

Ephemeral FireworksGod does not play dice.45rank/position

God Doesn't Play Dice “Ephemeral Fireworks” [Official Lyric Video]

This song by Kami wa Saikoro wo Furanai evokes a deep sense of longing, as if capturing the memory of a sweltering summer night and fireworks that vanish in an instant.

The sound, marked by an ethereal floating quality centered on the piano’s tone, leaves a strong impression and further conveys fragility and wistfulness.

The lyrics, which depict a love tied to summer fireworks, are especially striking; they poignantly express the emotions accompanying each episode as the memories are recalled in detail.

Like fireworks that flare brightly for only a moment, the song carries a painful atmosphere that conveys memories that have slipped away and the regret that follows.

Hakata Yamakasa Women’s SongYoko Nagayama46rank/position

Yoko Nagayama - Hakata Yamakasa Onnabushi

This is a song by Yoko Nagayama that lets you feel the excitement of a Japanese festival.

The theme is a traditional festival in Hakata, conveying the festival’s grandeur and the passion of its participants.

Released in February 2011, the track blends elements of enka and pop.

Nagayama’s characteristically powerful vocals are striking, making it feel as if the festival’s vibrant energy has been turned directly into music.

It’s perfect not only when you want to get into a festive mood, but also when you want to experience Japan’s traditional culture.

Even those unfamiliar with Hakata’s festivals can sense their appeal through this song.

DB Ondo47rank/position

DB Ondo [DB Comedian]

It might be especially popular with boys! It’s a Bon Odori song created by a gathering of the many Dragon Ball comedians.

You’ll see it in the video, but the characters are basically jam-packed and all over the place.

The lyrics are full of references you’ll get if you’ve seen the original manga or the anime series.

So not only kids, but parents, too, might enjoy it.

We hope you and your children have a fun, smile-filled time dancing together!

Kuwagata Ondo48rank/position

Kuwagata Ondo / Keropons & Ryuzo Fukuda

Kero-pons, famous for songs like “Ebikanix” and for concerts at kindergartens and nursery schools, and Ryuzo Fukuda created the song “Kuwagata Ondo.” This “kuwagata” of course refers to stag beetles.

It’s a fun song about stag beetles set to the rhythm of an ondo.

Traditional ondo often features work songs or themes about local culture and isn’t necessarily aimed at children, but this “Kuwagata Ondo” is a song we can wholeheartedly recommend for kids! We hope it helps children discover just how fun ondo can be.

Shimajiro Ondo49rank/position

Shimajiro Ondo! [Shimajiro Channel Official]

This is the bon-odori dance song for Shimajiro, the main character of the children’s educational magazine “Kodomo Challenge.” As you’d expect from a song for early childhood education, both the lyrics and the choreography are very easy to understand and dance to.

It’s made so that families and friends can enjoy dancing together at bon dances and summer festivals, making it a very reassuring song.

If you wear a headband and dance with lots of energy, it will be even more exciting.