[Children’s Songs] Let’s Sing of Spring! A Fun Collection of Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children’s Songs

Horsetail shoots are poking up.

Nursery rhyme: Tsukushi wa tsun-tsun

A masterpiece of children’s song that lets you feel the breath of nature.

Within its simple wordplay, it deftly weaves in the moment when plants sprout, offering the delight of a stroll through spring fields and hills.

More than lofty musical artistry, it’s the easy singability that has kept it beloved for many years.

It’s also enjoyed with hand motions and is widely used in early childhood education settings.

This work beautifully expresses the Japanese sense of the seasons and a heartfelt reverence for nature, making it enjoyable across generations, from children to adults.

Why not sing it together with family and friends, feeling the arrival of a nature-rich spring?

When I become a first graderMusic: Naosumi Yamamoto / Lyrics: Michio Mado

When I Become a First Grader

Is it just me, or when you listen to the children’s song “When I Become a First Grader” from a parent’s perspective, it suddenly starts to feel a bit moving? It’s a song that lets you sense a child’s growth and future as they move up from kindergarten to elementary school.

It’s a cheerful tune brimming with the excitement, anticipation, and hope for all the fun that lies ahead, so as spring—the season of new beginnings—arrives, sing it joyfully and with a happy heart!

Early Spring OdeLyrics by Kazumasa Yoshimaru / Music by Akira Nakata

Akira Nakada: Early Spring Ode (lyrics by Ichishō Yoshimaru)

Early Spring Song (Soshunfu) is distinguished by its expansive, refreshing melody.

The title is read “Sōshunfu,” and it’s a school song with a very long history, first published in 1913.

The piece appears in lyricist Ichishō Yoshimaru’s collection New School Songs and features lyrics that captivate with their beautiful landscape imagery.

Incidentally, the character fu in the title is a word that, like the character for “wealth,” signifies treasures bestowed from the heavens.

The title Early Spring Song, which gracefully captures a spring that feels almost otherworldly, is lovely, isn’t it?

hometownsong

Furusato (♪ The mountain where we chased rabbits ~) by Himawari ×4 [Chorus] With Lyrics [One of Japan’s 100 Famous Songs] FURUSATO Hometown |

Blue mountains, pure waters, and memories of childhood play.

The gentle melody that wraps these scenes of a beloved hometown, along with feelings for family and friends living far away, holds a universal appeal that resonates with everyone.

First published in 1914 as a Ministry of Education school song, this piece was created by Tatsuyuki Takano and Teiichi Okano, vividly reflecting the rural landscapes and lifestyles of Japan at the time.

It was sung at the closing ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, moving countless people.

Its simple, memorable melody in G major and triple meter continues to be sung at life’s milestones, such as graduation and coming-of-age ceremonies.

With lyrics and melody that evoke nostalgia, it is truly a song that stands by all who live away from their hometowns—a work that can be said to symbolize the heart of Japan.

Bamboo shoots are sprouting.children’s song

[KBS Children's Songs] The Bamboo Shoot Sprouted

Through a traditional Japanese play song that evokes the arrival of spring, it gently wraps children’s hearts in warmth.

The key is choreography that engages the whole body—pressing both hands together above the head to show a sprout pushing up from the ground, or spreading both arms wide to mimic a flower in bloom.

The way it’s played varies slightly by region and has been passed down from parents to children.

It can be enjoyed not only as a hand game but also as a rock–paper–scissors game, making it popular among children in nursery schools and kindergartens.

Keeping rhythm while moving their hands and bodies, children naturally break into smiles.

This piece is a friendly song that eases the worries of children who feel anxious in new environments.

It is truly a perfect number for fostering children’s healthy growth and emotional richness.

Flower ShadowLyrics by Kazué Omura / Music by Giichi Toyota

Flower Shadow

Hanakage is marked by a poignantly wistful melody.

The lyrics portray the sadness of a girl whose beloved older sister has left home to get married.

The days when they always spent the Mid-Autumn nights together under the moon are now gone, and she is all alone.

The image of her sister going far away, the tears shed at their parting, and the futile calls to the sister who has already left.

.

.

These scenes, set against drifting cherry blossoms, make the heart tighten with a bittersweet ache—despite it being a bright spring.

Join the Dandelion Gang!Lyrics and Music: Osamu Sakata

[Join the Dandelion Crew!!] [Full Choreography Version] Sing and dance with Big Brother Ikki!

In spring, when you look up the cherry blossoms are beautifully pink, but if you cast your eyes downward, you’ll see lots of cute yellow dandelions blooming too! Wouldn’t you like to join that adorable army of dandelions? This song invites you to become part of the Dandelion Brigade—full of energy under the bright spring air and wrapped in a gentle spring breeze.

It explains how to join and that anyone can be a member.

Joining is very simple: just soak up the warm spring sunshine and breathe in the fresh air with your whole body! On a warm spring day, step outside and become a proud member of the Dandelion Brigade!