Sky nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs
I’ve gathered children’s songs related to the sky—like stars, the moon, sunsets, fireworks, and the weather.
I think many of these are songs you heard when you were little.
They’re classics that have been sung for generations, so they give you a sense of the good old days.
Please listen and enjoy a bit of nostalgia.
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- [Sea Nursery Rhymes] Fun children's songs themed around the sea
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- [Tanabata Children's Songs] Fun hand-play songs and a nostalgic collection of traditional nursery rhymes and folk songs
- [Moon Songs Special] Famous songs about the moon. Songs you’ll want to listen to under a full moon or in the moonlight.
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
Sky nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs (11–20)
dragonfly glassesKoza-buro Hirai
Since its debut on NHK Radio in 1949 (Showa 24), it has been sung as one of Japan’s representative children’s songs.
It is said that the lyricist, Seishi Nukaga, wrote these lyrics after actually seeing children playing with dragonflies.
Try singing it together with your little ones.
Octopus SongMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
Under the cold winter sky, the sight of kites catching the wind and soaring gracefully has long been cherished as a quintessential Japanese scene.
It’s a bit sad that we see fewer children flying kites nowadays.
During the winter break, why not enjoy kite flying together with your children?
pigeonMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
With lyrics so memorable that seeing pigeons in the city makes you want to burst into the “coo-coo-coo” song, this “Hato” is a traditional children’s song first published in 1911 and is still loved across generations today.
Its melody is easy for even small children to sing.
YukiMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
The history of this song is very old, and some of you may be surprised to learn that it is actually a song from nearly a hundred years ago.
The lyrics of Yuki ya Konko, which make you want to sing along the moment it starts snowing, are especially memorable in this children’s song.
Singing this song makes the winter scenery even more enjoyable.
I found the first starMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
As dusk falls and the darkness of night spreads, the first star begins to shine.
This song celebrates the joy of finding the brightest first-magnitude star—the very first star to appear.
The phrase “I found the first star” is very famous, but in fact the song goes up to the third star, so please listen all the way to the end.
MoonMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
This song from the Ministry of Education’s collection is one of Japan’s children’s songs/shoka published in 1911 in “Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka.” It depicts a perfectly round moon like a festival tray (bon), and its friendly melody and lyrics are still loved by many today.
Expressing the beauty and mystery of the moon floating in the night sky, its simple yet moving message continues to resonate in Japanese hearts across generations.
At the time, the Ministry of Education had a policy of not announcing the names of individual creators for each work—apparently to give the impression that the songs were created by the “nation.” It’s a lovely children’s song that vividly brings to mind the image of the moon floating softly in the sky.
Sky Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children's Songs (21–30)
Tanabata-samaJapanese children's folk songs
Tanabata originally has its roots in China.
However, the custom of hanging wish slips on bamboo began in the Edo period and cannot be seen in other countries.
It’s a delightful time to hang the slips while thinking of wishes together with your child.
Be sure to listen to the song “Tanabata-sama” together as well.