[Sea Nursery Rhymes] Fun children's songs themed around the sea

seaMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)

[Children’s Song] Umi (The Sea) / Daisuke Yokoyama

When it comes to children’s songs about the sea, this is probably the first one many people think of.

The song “Umi” (“The Sea”) was originally published in 1941 as a Ministry of Education song.

Since then, it has continued to be sung by many children, and in 2007 it was selected as one of the 100 Japanese Songs.

It has a gentle, beautiful melody that lets you picture seascapes just by listening.

Song of Suihei-sanSuper Simple Songs

Suihei-san no Uta “A Sailor Went To Sea” | Children’s Song | Super Simple Japanese

Let’s sing an ocean song called “Suihei-san no Uta,” with its relaxed, heartwarming melody and fun lyrics.

The playful words are packed with lots of sea creatures, making them tricky to memorize.

It’s a fun song featuring octopuses, jellyfish, seahorses, and more, and it’s a singing game where you see how many animal names you can remember as you sing.

Since it originally comes from an English song, it’s also helpful for children learning English.

Because so many different sea creatures appear, you might recognize some you already know.

You can learn, “Oh, so these kinds of creatures live in the sea,” test your memory, and enjoy singing it in lots of different ways.

Fish Rice ExerciseKeropons

[Kids Dance] 🐡 Fish Rice 🍣

There are many kinds of fish and sea creatures in the ocean.

Surrounded by the sea, Japan is blessed with an abundance of seafood.

What’s the name of the fish that shows up on our dining table? And what’s the name of that favorite fish of yours? Let’s have fun learning those things by singing and dancing along to “Sakana Gohan Taisō.” Both the lyrics and the dance moves are comical, so it’s a lot of fun to dance together at places like kindergartens.

Master “Sakana Gohan Taisō,” where you can learn about fish, and dance with a lively, upbeat tempo.

Across the sea

Over the Deep Blue Sea | Children's Song | Super Simple Japanese

Umi no Mukou (Beyond the Sea), featured on the YouTube channel “Super Simple Japanese,” which introduces fun Japanese nursery rhymes and kids’ songs you can sing and dance to, has racked up over 2 million views.

It’s a song that depicts a pirate ship steadily sailing across the sea, unfazed by storms or blizzards.

For children who admire pirates after watching cartoons or movies, this is sure to be an exciting track.

If you play it before a trip to the seaside, it might get them hoping, “Do you think we’ll meet pirates?”

To the Ends of the Earth ~How Far I’ll Go~China Yabiku

Tomona Yabiku – How Far I’ll Go (From “Moana”)

Disney’s film “Moana,” about a girl chosen by the ocean who sets out to sea on an adventure to save her island.

The song “How Far I’ll Go,” featured in the movie and in the end credits, perfectly matches the refreshing scenes of summer.

In the Japanese version, the in-film vocals are performed by Chinatsu Yaehiku, who voices Moana, while the end song version is sung by Miliyah Kato.

This song, which conveys Moana’s determination to embark on her journey, has a crisp, expansive melody that evokes the vast ocean.

It’s the kind of uplifting tune that makes you want to sing as you gaze out at the magnificent sea on a day at the beach!

The bottom of the sea with a holeSuper Simple Songs

There's A Hole At The Bottom Of The Sea | Children's Song | Super Simple Japanese

I wonder what’s at the bottom of the sea? Let’s all go exploring together.

This is a curious song where you keep stacking new lyrics onto the ones you sang first, and by the end it turns into a very long passage.

It’s a fun track you can enjoy like a game—seeing how much you can remember and how smoothly you can keep your tongue moving as you sing.

With elements like tongue twisters and wordplay, “At the Holey Bottom of the Sea” might have you stumbling or forgetting the words and bursting into laughter.

The lyrics keep getting longer and longer, so it’s hard to sing smoothly, but give it a try with your friends or group!

Jabba Jabba Viva DooTakayuki Hattori

Jaba-jaba Bibadoo [With Mother/With Mommy and Me] [With Choreography and Lyrics] ♪ Today is a fun concert~

Broadcast as the Monthly Song in October 2002 on “Okaasan to Issho,” this piece is perfect for creating summer memories with kids! The lyrics joyfully depict the ocean world, featuring dolphins and turtles on adventures and whales and octopuses dancing.

It’s included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho Saishin Best: Crayon Rocket,” so be sure to give it a listen.

With its bright, energetic melody and lyrics full of catchy, repeating phrases, it’s easy for children to sing along—highly recommended for parents and kids to dance and have fun together at home!