[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
February brings Setsubun and the chant “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” In nurseries and kindergartens, there are likely many chances to sing songs related to Setsubun.
But in fact, there are plenty of songs perfect for February beyond just Setsubun tunes! In this article, we introduce songs connected to February and children’s songs that are perfect for the harshly cold season.
Many of them can be sung with hand-play motions, so children are sure to enjoy them.
Please make use of them on days when it’s too cold to play outside or during music time.
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
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- [For Seniors] February Songs You’ll Want to Hum: Enjoy Winter with Nostalgic Classics
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- [Setsubun Song] Demons out, fortune in! Bean-throwing songs to enjoy on Setsubun
- Timeless songs you’ll want to listen to in February: winter songs and Valentine’s songs.
- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
- March nursery rhymes & hand play songs! Spring songs you can enjoy with your kids
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- Nursery rhymes to sing in spring: a collection of classic songs you'll want to sing with your children
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
- Childcare: Today's recommended fun songs
[February Songs] Introducing children’s songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (31–40)
winter scenerySakkyokusha: Fushō
This song, included in a fifth-grade elementary school singing textbook published in 1913, has an unknown composer.
There are occasionally songs created for textbooks whose authors are unknown, and this is one of those.
Despite being an old piece, its triple meter—a touch reminiscent of Western music—and its melody make it appealing as an art song.
In fact, if you only listened to the melody, you might have a curious feeling of not knowing which country it comes from.
It’s a lovely song even when sung with an orchestral accompaniment.
Song of the Ehomakiichigo kurabu
When it comes to food for Setsubun, it has to be ehomaki! It’s said that if you face the year’s lucky direction—called the “ehō”—and silently eat one whole roll, your wish will come true.
This song about ehomaki is an original by Ichigo Club, known for singing many children’s songs! It doesn’t just sing about making ehomaki and eating it while facing the lucky direction—it also covers bean-throwing, so by listening to this song, you’ll instantly know what to do for Setsubun! The catchy lyrics stick in your head and you’ll find yourself humming along!
Snow (Yuki ya Konko)Sakkyokusha: Fushō
When it snows, many people probably think of this song first! One of the most iconic children’s songs about snow, “Yuki” (Snow).
It warmly portrays the scene of snow piling up and how dogs and cats react differently when it snows.
Even though it’s cold outside, it somehow makes you feel cozy inside.
Snow can be a hassle for adults, but for children it’s fun even in the cold! It would be nice to sing this song and then go play in the snow when it piles up.
Black Cat Tango (Original song: Volevo un gatto nero)Sakkyoku: Mario Pagāno
“Black Cat Tango” is a charming, humorous cat song composed by artist Mario Pagano.
In Japan, it became a huge hit when sung by Osamu Minagawa in 1969.
The piece portrays a black cat getting up to all sorts of mischief, set to the rhythmic music of tango.
With the tango’s signature emphatic accents and brisk tempo, it’s a tune that lifts your spirits just by listening.
February 22 is Cat Day in Japan, making this song a perfect way to deepen your fondness for felines.
Sing and dance to it with your family, and you’re sure to forget the winter chill and fill your home with warm smiles.
Spring StreamMonbushō shōka
As we get into the latter half of February, you can almost hear the footsteps of spring approaching, can’t you? A perfect song for that moment is “Spring Brook.” It describes how a brook that was frozen or sluggish through the winter begins to flow freely again as the weather warms and the snow melts.
At the same time, it conveys a gentle affection for the colorful flowers blooming nearby and the lively creatures moving about.
Written by lyricist Tatsuyuki Takano and composed by Teiichi Okano, the song originally had three verses, but the lyrics were revised several times before settling into their current form.
It’s a piece that lets you eagerly look forward to the arrival of spring.
[Songs for February] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs related to Setsubun and winter! (41–50)
A Town Where It SnowsSakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
Yuki no Furu Machi o is a slightly melancholic children’s song that depicts a town where cold snow falls.
First introduced in 1951 as an insert song for the radio drama Eriko to Tomo ni broadcast on NHK Radio, it has a long history.
It was later featured on Minna no Uta, which helped it gain wider recognition.
Winter’s chill has a way of making us feel lonelier and more desolate than in other seasons, stirring a bittersweet mood.
This subtly mature children’s song expresses the hope that such feelings will drift away with the cold winter wind as we move toward the warmth of spring.
Mukkuri Kuma-sanSuweeden min’yō
This cheerful play song, based on a traditional Swedish folk tune, is themed around a bear’s hibernation.
You can just picture children holding hands in a circle, singing excitedly until the bear in the center wakes up.
With its simple melody and lyrics, it’s easy even for young children to remember and can be enjoyed together with hand games or tag.
It’s widely loved in nurseries and kindergartens and is often included on CDs and in songbooks.
It’s a perfect choice for playing indoors on cold winter days.
If everyone sings and moves together, they’ll warm up in no time.