Lovely Play & Recreation

Songs you can dance to around the campfire. A roundup of recommended tracks for dancing.

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

A campfire is essential for nights during camping and outdoor activities.

A campfire gradually grows from the start, reaches an exciting peak, and then settles into a calm mood toward the end—that transition is one of its true charms.

And it’s not just about watching the flames; people often sing songs and dance as well.

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended songs to dance to around the campfire.

We’ve gathered classic campfire tunes, folk dance songs, and even popular J-pop hits—use this as a handy reference.

Songs you can dance to around the campfire. A roundup of recommended dance tracks (31–40)

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

Highest Point / SEKAI NO OWARI [Sports Day Recital Dance] Easy Dance Choreography

Maximum reachSEKAI NO OWARI

This song was released in 2023 as the theme song for the anime One Piece.

It wasn’t originally a dance track, but it’s upbeat and bright, so many people probably want to try dancing to it.

With that in mind, here’s a choreography that even elementary school kids can perform.

In line with the song’s refreshing feel, the moves are energetic and use big, full-body motions.

As you dance, your excitement will build, and it’s sure to liven up any campfire gathering.

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Time ParadoxVaundy

[Dance Choreography] Time Paradox — Vaundy | Theme Song of “Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Earth Symphony”

Time ParadoxVaundy

Many of you probably go to see the Doraemon movie that comes out every year.

Doraemon has many works that move even adults to tears.

With that in mind, I recommend this song—the theme for Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Earth Symphony—as a campfire tune.

Its slow tempo makes it easy to dance to, and the somewhat wistful melody is perfect for nighttime.

The choreography introduced here features flowing movements and a relaxed feel that embraces pauses, so try dancing while immersing yourself in the music.

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ButterBTS

[BUTTER-BTS] Easy, fun-to-dance choreography

ButterBTS

A track by BTS, the seven-member global dance and vocal group from Korea.

Following “Dynamite,” this song features all-English lyrics, with a retro, disco-style party vibe that portrays a sweet and romantic love that melts like butter.

The catchy chorus steps aren’t too complex, so they seem easy to copy, right? We also introduce choreography in the video that’s simple and fun for kids to dance to, so be sure to check it out! Let’s make the most of our Camp Yar night and have an amazing time.

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RydeenYellow Magic Orchestra

Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Rydeen“ (Official Music Video)

RydeenYellow Magic Orchestra

A masterpiece released by Yellow Magic Orchestra in 1980.

Although it’s an instrumental, its imaginative sound captivated listeners around the world and helped ignite Japan’s technopop boom.

You can feel YMO’s creativity everywhere—in the unique timbre of the A section, the horse-hoof sounds in the C section, and the sound effects.

The anecdote that the piece was born from a conversation around a kotatsu is also memorable.

The sound design using Haruomi Hosono’s Korg PS-3100 and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s ARP Odyssey is superb.

Composed by Yukihiro Takahashi and arranged by all the members, it boasts exceptional polish.

It’s a quintessential YMO track that every music fan should hear at least once.

Why not let yourself dance to it around a campfire? It’s sure to become a wonderful memory.

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Jenka

Jenka / Let's all dance! Folk dance [for schools and community activities]

Jenka

Jenka, also famous as a classic folk dance tune, originated in Finland.

It’s a folk dance where several people form a line and dance together.

Dancers step forward one foot at a time to the rhythm and move along while hopping forward and backward.

While it’s easy to dance alone, when dancing in a line you need to be in sync with each other; otherwise, the line will fall out of order when moving forward and back.

When forming the line, place your hands on the shoulders or waist of the person in front of you.

It’s also recommended to gradually increase the number of people in the line!

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Songs you can dance to around the campfire. Recommended dance tracks (41–50)

100% Courage

[Super Easy Dance] Courage 100% / Nintama Rantarō Anime Theme Song [Dance While Sitting] <Sports Day Dance, Kindergarten, Nursery, Elementary School, Seniors, Day Service>

100% Courage

Familiar as the theme song of the anime “Nintama Rantarō,” “Yuuki 100%” is a track that clearly conveys a positive spirit.

The sound is light and buoyant, so moving your body to it lets you fully feel the fun throughout your whole body.

If you take cues from the lyrics—like the shining sun—when coming up with movements, it’s easy to tell what comes next, so it’s a great choice.

It may be important to really feel the rhythm as if you’re bouncing and to dance with a smile so the song’s fun stands out.

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StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – StaRt

StaRtMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s “StaRt” is characterized by its bright atmosphere and conveys an exciting feeling that something is about to begin.

The tempo is fast, so you might think the dance would become complex, but if you build in relaxed movements—like making one movement over two beats—you can create an easygoing routine.

Focusing on steps brings out the fun of the song, so that pattern is recommended as well.

Striking a balance between parts where you feel the music and parts where you focus on the movement is the key to crafting an enjoyable dance.

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