Songs to Listen to on Children’s Day | A Curated Selection of Music for Tango no Sekku!
As Children’s Day approaches, is there a song that you suddenly find yourself humming?Nursery rhymes and seasonal songs related to Tango no Sekku have long been cherished across generations as an important part of Japanese culture.In this article, we’ll introduce songs associated with Tango no Sekku that will fill you with nostalgia the moment you hear them—from those everyone knows to classic tunes whose lyrics you might not actually remember.Singing them with your child will make seasonal traditions feel closer and more fun.Enjoy them together with your family!
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Songs to Listen to on Children's Day | A Curated Selection of Music Related to Tango no Sekku! (51–60)
The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomSakushi: Katō Shōgo / Sakkyoku: Kainuma Minoru
This beautiful children’s song, born in August 1946 shortly after the war, vividly depicts fresh scenes of nature and a poignant longing for a mother.
Hastily created the day before its NHK radio broadcast, the piece gently sings of a child’s pure feelings and warm love for their mother through the view from a seaside hill.
The depiction of a ship fading in the distance conveys a sense of unreachable loneliness, stirring a deeply moving emotion.
In 2003 it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Shin: Ten Made Todoke,” and in 1991 it was also featured in a Recruit commercial.
Embraced by warm light, this soothing song will continue to comfort and stay close to many hearts.
Karada DandanSakushi: Yoshida Sensha / Sakkyoku: Kosugi Yasuo
Known as a popular exercise song from an NHK children’s program, this piece is full of ideas that let kids move their bodies while having fun.
It’s thrillingly imaginative, inviting children to become sea creatures, pretend to be dinosaurs and mammoths, and move like ninjas or athletes.
The playful lyrics by manga artist Sensha Yoshida and the friendly melody composed by Yasuo Kosugi are a perfect match, sparking kids’ spirit of adventure.
Broadcast since April 2019 in the exercise segment of “Okaasan to Issho,” it’s ideal for morning stretches, warm-ups before physical activity, or whenever you want a refreshing change of pace.
swallowYOASOBI with Midorīzu
I think many of you have heard it, since it’s the theme song for NHK’s children’s SDGs program series “Hirogare! Irotoridori.” YOASOBI creates music inspired by literary works, and this time the original story is Nana Otsuki’s “A Little Swallow’s Big Dream.” The lyrics follow a single swallow flying to many places and seeing many different scenes, carrying the thought, “We could make a better future, couldn’t we?” The first-person “boku” feels packed with YOASOBI’s signature flavor! The elementary school unit Midories is super cute, too.
It’s a perfect song to enjoy on Children’s Day.
Applause for you!sakushi: aritarou/sakkyoku: masuda tarou
This refreshing piece, themed around handclaps, was broadcast as the Monthly Song for February 2023 on NHK E-TV’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Its lyrics, which convey gratitude and encouragement through the act of clapping, gently embrace feelings too deep for words and soothe the listener’s heart.
In the video, the older performers in colorful costumes sing and dance joyfully in front of a dazzling floral set, leaving a lasting impression.
It’s a heartwarming work that cheers on children who strive every day and gives courage and energy to parents raising them.
Me wearing armorSakushi Sakkyoku: Pasu
As the description on the video site says, “There weren’t any songs about armor and helmets, so I made one,” this is truly a Children’s Day song written and composed by Pasu.
Come to think of it, there are plenty of children’s songs and nursery rhymes, but none themed around armor and helmets, right? The lyrics—along the lines of “If I put on armor and a helmet and time-traveled, I’d make Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobunaga my retainers and go to battle!!”—are great fun, and it’s a song I’d love more people to discover.
The melody, which has the feel of a nursery rhyme that could have existed for decades, is spot on!
Song for Children’s DaySakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / Sakkyoku: Sakata Tomiharu
Composed by Tomiharu Sakata with lyrics by children’s literature author Junichi Yoda, “Kodomo no Hi no Uta” (Children’s Day Song) is, as the title suggests, a song for Children’s Day.
While Children’s Day is commonly associated with Boys’ Day and often focuses on wishing for boys’ growth, this song includes boys, girls, and even fathers and mothers, as well as older brothers and sisters.
Everyone appears, and it’s a heartwarming song that invites everyone to celebrate together.
In conclusion
Children’s songs and nursery rhymes passed down from parents to children, and from children to grandchildren for Children’s Day are filled with warm wishes for healthy growth. Why not take this opportunity to raise your hearts in song together with family and friends? It will surely deepen your bonds.