[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!

Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakkyoku: Tashi Kamei

Cha-cha-cha of the Snowman

This is another winter fingerplay song that’s popular with children.

Even the title, “Snowman Cha-Cha-Cha,” gives off a fun vibe, doesn’t it? It’s a delightful, whimsical song about building a snowman and then watching it start to dance.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

We’ll take care of the demon here.Sakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

We’ll Take In the Oni at Our Place (Lyrics by Toshihiko Shinzawa / Music by Hirotaka Nakagawa) — A Setsubun Song / February Song

When it comes to Setsubun bean-throwing, “Oni wa soto” (Demons out!) is the classic phrase, but this delightful work takes a unique approach by deliberately inviting the oni into the house.

The lyrics are by Toshihiko Shinzawa and the music by Hirotaka Nakagawa.

The lyrics cleverly turn oni—normally scary beings—into reliable guard dogs on your side, which is so exhilarating! Composed around 1986, this song is one of the landmark works from the early collaboration between Shinzawa and Nakagawa.

There’s even an anecdote that the line endings in the lyrics were changed to fit the melody during production.

It’s included on the album “12 no Tsuki no Uta Series: February – Oni wa Uchi de Hikiuketa,” released in January 2007, and it remains popular at many preschools and kindergartens today.

With its bright, laugh-it-off energy that chases away fear, it’s also a great way to kick off a bean-throwing event!

An Apple’s SoliloquySakushi: Takeuchi Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Mitsuyo

Apple's Soliloquy 🍎 (Tokyo Heidi)

This charming work depicts the story of red fruit grown in fields of the northern country, packed into boxes, swaying along by train, and finally lining the shelves of town shops.

The lyrics were written by children’s song poet Toshiko Takeuchi, with music composed by Koyo Kawamura, renowned for many masterpieces.

Since it was recorded in February 1940, sung by Junko Kawamura, the rhythmic repetition of words and the nostalgic melody have been beloved by many.

There is also an anecdote that Takeuchi drew inspiration for the poem from fruit she received as a get-well gift; the lyrics’ worldview, which captures the distribution process from a child’s perspective, is superb.

In the harsh cold season, why not sing along as a parent and child in a warm room, savoring delicious winter flavors while letting your thoughts wander with the fruit’s journey?

Bear Cub in FebruarySakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharu

Bear Cub in February ♪ Little Bear Pooh came out of his den — Lyrics by Tamiko Hirai, Music by Toshiharu Ichikawa

Bears hibernate in winter and wait for warm spring to arrive.

It’s the same for bear cubs, but the little bear Pooh in this song wakes up from hibernation in the middle of winter—in February! Of course, it’s still far too cold to feel like doing anything, so Pooh fills his belly, dreams of the warm spring, and goes back to sleep.

This song depicts Pooh’s slightly blundered February.

It’s very short and easy to sing, yet it’s packed with a clear story, so you can enjoy singing it while letting your imagination run.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Spring somewhereSakushi: Momota Sōji / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin

Somewhere It's Spring (Children's Song / School Song)

At the end of February, when a trace of winter chill still lingers, don’t you sometimes sense the presence of spring in a fleeting moment? This is the song you’ll find yourself humming at such a change of seasons.

With lyrics by poet Soji Momota and music by composer Shin Kusakawa, this children’s song was published in a magazine around March 1923.

Even if it’s not visible to the eye, the delicate imagery captures spring’s quiet stirring—the melting of ice in distant mountains and the sprouting of buds beneath our feet.

Just picturing the scenes warms the heart, doesn’t it? In 2007, it was selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Japanese Songs,” and it has been sung across generations.

As winter’s severity softens and the sunlight begins to carry a touch of warmth, why not sing it with your child while you search together for the small signs of spring?

oden (Japanese simmered hot pot dish)

Oden [Hand Play Song] Perfect for winter♪

When you think of a family gathered around the table on a cold winter day, oden instantly comes to mind! Here’s a fingerplay song themed around that heart- and body-warming hot pot.

It shows choosing ingredients to match shapes like circles, triangles, and squares, then putting them into the pot.

Just miming the motions of chopping to the rhythm and simmering and eating makes you feel like you’re playing pretend cooking.

There’s no fixed release date, but it’s a widely loved children’s song that was featured by early childhood education media around July 2020 as a winter activity.

In the second verse, the song shifts to making a big pot, and the actions become more dynamic—that’s part of the fun! It’s the perfect tune for moving and playing with your child when it’s too cold to go outside.

Ogre Pants (Original Song: Funiculi Funicula)Sakkyoku: Ruīji Denza

Japanese Children’s Song – Demon’s Underpants 3D! – Oni no Pants

Perfect for February, when Setsubun takes place, is the song “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants)! This tune is based on the Italian popular song “Funiculì, Funiculà,” which is sometimes called the world’s oldest commercial jingle.

In Japan, both translations of the original and versions with entirely different lyrics and titles from “Oni no Pantsu” have been broadcast.

Among them, the most famous is this song that praises the amazing underpants worn by ogres! No matter how long you wear them, an ogre’s underpants stay tough and sturdy.

For Setsubun, it might be fun to try playing the ogre role by wearing similar tiger-striped underpants!

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem