RAG MusicJapanese Songs
Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

Japanese Shoka, Children's Songs, and Nursery Rhymes | Timeless masterpieces that resonate in the heart, passed down across generations

Do you ever recall the nursery rhymes and children’s songs you sang with family and friends when you were little? The nostalgic songs—including the Monbushō shōka (Ministry of Education songs)—are treasures of Japan that have been passed down across generations.

Still, there are times when you remember a title but can’t recall the lyrics, or you know the melody but can’t remember the title.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of shōka, nursery rhymes, and traditional children’s songs that everyone has heard at least once.

As you listen to those nostalgic voices, try humming along with someone dear to you.

Japanese shoka, children’s songs, and warabe-uta | Timeless, heart-stirring classics passed down across generations (71–80)

Shōjōji’s Raccoon Dog Festival Music

Japanese nursery rhyme: The Raccoon-Dog Parade of Shojoji Temple
Shōjōji’s Raccoon Dog Festival Music

This is a song based on the legend of Shojoji.

It has a lively, rhythmic tune and sounds cheerful, but the lyrics tell a rather sad story: at Shojoji Temple, the monk and a tanuki were having a musical showdown using belly drums, and when dawn broke, they found that their bellies had burst and they had died.

Report a problem

In conclusion

We introduced Japanese songs that have been sung and passed down through the ages.

Each piece evokes rich scenes and warm memories.

Let’s hum them together with those close to us and pass these beautiful melodies on to the next generation.