Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
Do you like winter?
Winter is very cold, but you can enjoy the beautiful silvery world created by pure white snow and feel the special warmth unique to winter—like hot pot dishes and igloos.
There are so many ways to have fun that you can only experience in winter.
Winter also brings lots of fun events, such as Christmas and New Year’s!
Children are probably looking forward to making snowmen, having snowball fights, and enjoying Christmas presents and cake.
In this article, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes, folk songs, traditional children’s songs, and hand-play songs with various winter themes.
There are many songs that can turn a winter that’s just cold into wonderful memories, so be sure to give them a listen!
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Collection of winter children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter hand-play songs too (1–10)
Silent Night
Silent Night is one of the Christmas carols loved by many people.
Known as “Silent Night” in English, this song features lyrics celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
It was hastily composed as a piece that could be played on guitar after the organ broke, even though carols had been planned to be sung with the organ on Christmas Eve.
That song went on to become a quintessential Christmas classic, passed down and sung for centuries.
Its gentle melody feels soothing, as if it purifies the heart when you listen.
It’s easy to sing not only in Japanese but also in English, so give it a try!
Octopus Song
Kites have been loved in Japan for a very long time.
Some of you might remember flying them at New Year’s when you were children.
This song is about that.
It first appeared in 1911 in the collection ‘Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka’ (Elementary School Songs), and its original title was said to be ‘Kaminowashi no Uta’ (Song of the Paper Kite).
The first verse is well known, but there are actually three verses.
The relaxed melody evokes the image of a kite soaring in the sky.
Every now and then, it’s nice to listen to a nostalgic song like this and let your thoughts wander to the good old days.
Kantarō the North Wind KidComposer: Kazuko Fukuda
Kantarō the North Wind Kid, which was featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” became a huge hit and continues to be sung by a wide audience.
The song was created when NHK director Yasuhiro Kondo, a lyricist, and a composer got together and discussed the idea that “it wouldn’t hurt to have enka for children.” It certainly has an enka flavor and is a song about “winter is coming,” yet for some reason its Western-style rhythm makes you feel upbeat.
Collection of Winter Children's Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs Too (11–20)
The Snow PainterLyrics by Akihiko Noritake / Music by Takashi Ando
This is a charming winter song that describes the way the snow piles up and the world outside gradually turns white by calling it a “house painter.” Hedges, fields, and farms are sights we’re not so familiar with these days, but listening to the song brings to mind nostalgic scenes of Japan’s traditional landscape.
We don’t see vast silver-white worlds much anymore either, but it’s a song you’ll want to sing while letting your imagination roam.
Yay! Santa is comingLyrics and music by Hirotaka Nakagawa
A classic winter song that joyfully sings about the exciting Christmas scenes that make children’s hearts flutter.
Written and composed by Hirotaka Nakagawa, it was released in December 2011 and is included on the album “Christmas Songs: Hirotaka Nakagawa Songbook 2.” Brimming with energy as it captures children eagerly awaiting Santa’s visit, it’s perfect for getting into the festive spirit.
It’s often sung at nursery and kindergarten Christmas parties, and singing it together makes the fun doubly sure.
snowMonbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
Isn’t this a song that everyone has heard at least once somewhere? When it snows, this tune inevitably comes to mind.
Many people might think “konko” is an onomatopoeia for falling snow, but it’s said to come from the imperative of “to come,” meaning “come, come—fall.” In the song, after the snow stops, there’s a line that suggests the withered trees disappear and the warm spring eventually arrives.
Even in the cold winter, let’s sing and look forward to the gentle arrival of spring!
All ye faithful, make hasteGeorg Friedrich Händel
“Moro-bito Koro-zorite,” created using the Christmas carol “Joy to the World”—beloved around the globe, especially in the West—as its motif, is also cherished in Japan as a Christmas hymn and is a song of nationwide renown.
Alongside a beautiful melody that celebrates the festive arrival of Christmas, it expresses gratitude for the Lord’s coming.
It’s perfect for mixed chorus with piano accompaniment or for handbell performances, and is a Christmas song enjoyed by a wide range of ages, from children to adults.