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

[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.

Playlist

[February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastCha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakkyoku: Tashi Kamei
Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakkyoku: Tashi Kameiplay_arrow
A cheerful song that makes snowmen start dancing
2eastBear Cub in FebruarySakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharu
Bear Cub in FebruarySakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharuplay_arrow
A bear wakes early from hibernation and waits for spring.
3eastWe’ll take care of the demon here.Sakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
We’ll take care of the demon here.Sakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotakaplay_arrow
A song for inviting demons into your home and making them your allies
4eastOgre Pants (Original Song: Funiculi Funicula)Sakkyoku: Ruīji Denza
Ogre Pants (Original Song: Funiculi Funicula)Sakkyoku: Ruīji Denzaplay_arrow
Fun Oni Pants Song for Setsubun
5eastBean-throwing (Mamemaki)Monbushō shōka
Bean-throwing (Mamemaki)Monbushō shōkaplay_arrow
Call in good fortune with the Setsubun bean-throwing song
6eastKantarō the North Wind KidSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
Kantarō the North Wind KidSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakakoplay_arrow
Winter song “Yuki (Snow),” a famous piece from NHK’s Minna no Uta
7eastAn Apple’s SoliloquySakushi: Takeuchi Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Mitsuyo
An Apple’s SoliloquySakushi: Takeuchi Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Mitsuyoplay_arrow
A heartwarming classic that traces the journey of fruit
8eastoden (Japanese simmered hot pot dish)
oden (Japanese simmered hot pot dish)play_arrow
Let's have fun playing with the oden hand play song
9eastSpring somewhereSakushi: Momota Sōji / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shin
Spring somewhereSakushi: Momota Sōji / Sakkyoku: Kusakawa Shinplay_arrow
The beauty of the season as it shifts from winter to spring
10eastGrill the mochi
Grill the mochiplay_arrow
Smiles with children through mochi hand play
11eastMother’s SongSakushi Sakkyoku: Kubota Satoshi
Mother’s SongSakushi Sakkyoku: Kubota Satoshiplay_arrow
A song that recalls the warmth of family in the winter cold
12eastskiingSakushi: Shigure Otowa / Sakkyoku: Hirai Koizaburo
skiingSakushi: Shigure Otowa / Sakkyoku: Hirai Koizaburoplay_arrow
A rousing winter carol about gliding down snowy mountains
13eastHymn to the Snowy MountainsSakushi: Nishibori Eizaburō
Hymn to the Snowy MountainsSakushi: Nishibori Eizaburōplay_arrow
A song of snowy mountains, powerfully expressing their severity and beauty
14eastKodANUKI PonpoSakushi: Suzuki Etsuo / Sakkyoku: Oyama Takateru
KodANUKI PonpoSakushi: Suzuki Etsuo / Sakkyoku: Oyama Takateruplay_arrow
A story about a little tanuki waiting for red gloves
15eastYakiimo goo-choki-pasakushi: sakata hiroo / sakkyoku: yamamoto naozumi
Yakiimo goo-choki-pasakushi: sakata hiroo / sakkyoku: yamamoto naozumiplay_arrow
Enjoying winter with a roasted sweet potato hand play song
16eastBean bean bean throwingSakkyoku: boku to kimi.
Bean bean bean throwingSakkyoku: boku to kimi.play_arrow
Memories of childhood come back with the Setsubun song
17eastMoku-moku fuyuunSakkyoku: Byūtifuru Hamingubādo
Moku-moku fuyuunSakkyoku: Byūtifuru Hamingubādoplay_arrow
A heartwarming acoustic piece that captures a gentle winter ambiance.
18eastForest Soup ShopSakkyoku: Ike Tsuyoshi
Forest Soup ShopSakkyoku: Ike Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
A warm song of soup made with friends of the forest
19eastI like winter.Sakkyoku: Shibuya Takeshi
I like winter.Sakkyoku: Shibuya Takeshiplay_arrow
A song depicting the joy and warmth of winter
20eastBrr!Sakkyoku: boku to kimi.
Brr!Sakkyoku: boku to kimi.play_arrow
A fun hand-play song for the cold winter
21eastTroikaRoshia min’yō
TroikaRoshia min'yōplay_arrow
A cheerful folk song that briskly runs through a snowy landscape
22eastThe wind and the snow are my friends.sakushi: kobayashi jun’ichi / sakkyoku: neruson & rorinz
The wind and the snow are my friends.sakushi: kobayashi jun’ichi / sakkyoku: neruson & rorinzplay_arrow
"Children of the Snowy Town" Winter Song
23eastCha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakushi / Sakkyoku: Tajiga Akira
Cha-Cha-Cha of the SnowmanSakushi / Sakkyoku: Tajiga Akira
Winter fingerplay song 'Yukidaruma no Cha-Cha-Cha'
24eastTicotin, the winter fairySakushi / Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa
Ticotin, the winter fairySakushi / Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasaplay_arrow
Songs that parents and children can enjoy together in the cold season
25eastfluffy snowteasobi
fluffy snowteasobiplay_arrow
Enjoy winter to the fullest with fun snowy hand-play songs!
26eastbonfire (open fire)Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru
bonfire (open fire)Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeruplay_arrow
The winter children’s song “Takibi” depicts coldness and warmth.
27eastA Snowstorm Nightsakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / sakkyoku: Ichikawa Gakuchi
A Snowstorm Nightsakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / sakkyoku: Ichikawa Gakuchiplay_arrow
Listening to a song on a winter night amid a blizzard
28eastTango of the Red Ogre and the Blue OgreSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
Tango of the Red Ogre and the Blue OgreSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakakoplay_arrow
The red ogre and the blue ogre dance a joyful tango.
29eastCome, springSakushi: Soma Gyofu / Sakkyoku: Hirota Ryutaro
Come, springSakushi: Soma Gyofu / Sakkyoku: Hirota Ryutaroplay_arrow
Let's listen to the famous song 'Haru yo, Koi' as we await spring
30eastSnow KobōzuSakkyokusha: Fushō
Snow KobōzuSakkyokusha: Fushōplay_arrow
Yuki no Kobōzu: the folk song’s origins are unknown, but it’s a fun tune.
31eastThe Spinning SongSakkyoku: Komori Akihiro
The Spinning SongSakkyoku: Komori Akihiroplay_arrow
Let's make small accessories together with a fingerplay song.
32eastThe Snow PainterSakkyoku: Ando Takashi
The Snow PainterSakkyoku: Ando Takashiplay_arrow
The snow painter paints the town white.
33eastBrr, it’s so cold.Sakkyoku: Warabe Uta
Brr, it's so cold.Sakkyoku: Warabe Utaplay_arrow
A children's song that sings of the harsh cold of winter
34eastMomotaroSakkyoku: Okano Teiichi
MomotaroSakkyoku: Okano Teiichiplay_arrow
A perfect song for Setsubun that sings the story of Momotaro
35eastWinter nightMonbushō shōka
Winter nightMonbushō shōkaplay_arrow
Everyone’s Songs: The Charm of Winter Songs
36eastwinter scenerySakkyokusha: Fushō
winter scenerySakkyokusha: Fushōplay_arrow
An appealing school song of unknown authorship
37eastSong of the Ehomakiichigo kurabu
Song of the Ehomakiichigo kurabuplay_arrow
Eat an ehomaki in silence and make a wish
38eastSnow (Yuki ya Konko)Sakkyokusha: Fushō
Snow (Yuki ya Konko)Sakkyokusha: Fushōplay_arrow
Warm winter scenes depicted in a snow-themed children's song
39eastBlack Cat Tango (Original song: Volevo un gatto nero)Sakkyoku: Mario Pagāno
Black Cat Tango (Original song: Volevo un gatto nero)Sakkyoku: Mario Pagānoplay_arrow
Fun music with a cat tango
40eastSpring StreamMonbushō shōka
Spring StreamMonbushō shōkaplay_arrow
The spring brook begins to thaw, and I feel the breath of life.
41eastA Town Where It SnowsSakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
A Town Where It SnowsSakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinaoplay_arrow
Loneliness and Hope Felt in a Snowfall Town
42eastMukkuri Kuma-sanSuweeden min’yō
Mukkuri Kuma-sanSuweeden min'yōplay_arrow
A fun song themed around bear hibernation
43eastThe Song of KonkonshyanSakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
The Song of KonkonshyanSakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
Kids can enjoy wearing masks to prevent colds.
44eastPowdery snow konkoSakkyoku: Hirao Kishiō
Powdery snow konkoSakkyoku: Hirao Kishiōplay_arrow
A classic, easy-to-sing winter children’s song with powdery snow
45eastSki SongSakkyoku: Hashimoto Kunihiko
Ski SongSakkyoku: Hashimoto Kunihiko
Exhilarating winter music for enjoying skiing
46eastElephant’s hatSakkyoku: Nakamura Hiroaki
Elephant’s hatSakkyoku: Nakamura Hiroakiplay_arrow
A cute children's song in which various animals go into Mr. Elephant's hat.
47eastpine coneSakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae
pine coneSakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyaeplay_arrow
A children's song with lyrics by Takao Hirota and music by Tsyae Kobayashi.
48eastSnow Festivalsakushi sakkyoku: Minami Ranbō
Snow Festivalsakushi sakkyoku: Minami Ranbōplay_arrow
Nostalgic folk music that weaves feelings of waiting for spring
49eastSnowball fightMonbushō shōka
Snowball fightMonbushō shōkaplay_arrow
A fun nursery rhyme depicting children having a snowball fight.
50eastConstellations of Winter (Original: Mollie Darling)Sakkyoku: Wiriamu Heisu
Constellations of Winter (Original: Mollie Darling)Sakkyoku: Wiriamu Heisu
The 1947 textbook-included parody song “Winter Constellations”
51eastHappy HinamatsuriSakkyoku: Kawamura Naonori (Kawamura Koyo)
Happy HinamatsuriSakkyoku: Kawamura Naonori (Kawamura Koyo)
Let's start practicing the Hinamatsuri song from February.
52eastSong of the Bathhouse
Song of the Bathhouseplay_arrow
A song to warm the body and soul in the cold February, sung in the bath
53eastHymn to the Snowy Mountains (Original Tune: Oh My Darling, Clementine)amerika min’yō
Hymn to the Snowy Mountains (Original Tune: Oh My Darling, Clementine)amerika min'yōplay_arrow
Introducing the postwar classic song “Hymn to the Snowy Mountains.”
54eastoshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei
oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Aseiplay_arrow
A play song where you huddle together on a cold day to feel warmth
55eastWhite RoadSakkyoku: Vivuarudi
White RoadSakkyoku: Vivuarudiplay_arrow
Walking on a snowy road, reminiscing about memories with my mother
56eastfrost pillarswarabeuta
frost pillarswarabeutaplay_arrow
A hand-clapping song that portrays winter frost columns
57eastA Demon Parent and Child
A Demon Parent and Childplay_arrow
A composition that lightly depicts an ogre parent and child.
58eastWhile Oni is awaywarabeuta
While Oni is awaywarabeutaplay_arrow
A children's song depicting the bean-throwing ritual
59eastWinter Song (Original: Bulgarian Folk Song)Sakkyoku: Furisto Nejarukofu
Winter Song (Original: Bulgarian Folk Song)Sakkyoku: Furisto Nejarukofuplay_arrow
Nursery rhyme of snow sleighs, international musical exchange
60eastOgre’s HornsSakkyoku: Kutsuna Mika
Ogre’s HornsSakkyoku: Kutsuna Mikaplay_arrow
Music to enjoy and stay energized through the winter
61eastchocolateSakkyoku: Kutsuna Mika
chocolateSakkyoku: Kutsuna Mikaplay_arrow
A sweet and bittersweet song for Valentine’s Day
62easthail (small hailstones)Sakkyoku: Yanagida Tadashi
hail (small hailstones)Sakkyoku: Yanagida Tadashiplay_arrow
A winter song of falling hail that soothes a child’s heart.
63eastYuki said they like rain boots.Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira
Yuki said they like rain boots.Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akiraplay_arrow
A scene of children happily playing on a snowy day
64eastCalendar MarchSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako
Calendar MarchSakkyoku: Fukuda Wakakoplay_arrow
A children's song about yearly events
65eastThe Kitten’s BakerySakushi: Fuyumori Kayoko / Sakkyoku: Hayashi Akira
The Kitten's BakerySakushi: Fuyumori Kayoko / Sakkyoku: Hayashi Akiraplay_arrow
The Tale of a Kitten Who Forgot Its Bakery Job on Cat Day
66eastSnow DanceSakushi: Yui Keizō
Snow DanceSakushi: Yui Keizōplay_arrow
A fun winter song, a melody that enjoys the sound of snow
67eastMr. Penguin’s Mountain ClimbSakushi: Abe Naomi / Sakkyoku: Abe Naomi
Mr. Penguin’s Mountain ClimbSakushi: Abe Naomi / Sakkyoku: Abe Naomiplay_arrow
A lighthearted hand-play song that depicts penguins sliding on the ice.
68eastMomotaro defeats the ogres!
Momotaro defeats the ogres!play_arrow
An old folktale about Momotaro defeating ogres with his companions.
69eastKocho-ko ChocogaagaaS
Kocho-ko ChocogaagaaSplay_arrow
Valentine’s fingerplay song, fun.
70eastwhite friend(s)Sakkyoku: Sakata Osamu
white friend(s)Sakkyoku: Sakata Osamuplay_arrow
A children's song awaiting the snowmelt
71eastRural Wintersakkyoku: Shimazaki Akataro
Rural Wintersakkyoku: Shimazaki Akataroplay_arrow
A snowy, cold morning—nostalgic winter scenery in the countryside.
72eastThunder God has arrived.Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa
Thunder God has arrived.Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasaplay_arrow
Let's have fun moving our bodies with the Thunder Song!
73eastHorn, horn, hoooorn!Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasa
Horn, horn, hoooorn!Sakkyoku: Suzuki Tsubasaplay_arrow
Tsubasa Suzuki’s hand-play songs are hugely popular with children.
74eastDemon Parent and ChildSakushi Sakkyoku: Masuda Yūko
Demon Parent and ChildSakushi Sakkyoku: Masuda Yūkoplay_arrow
A hand play song about an ogre parent and child—its horns and thunder are fun.
75eastEven Kaze-san.Sakushi: Shibayama Kaoru/Satō Hachirō/Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao
Even Kaze-san.Sakushi: Shibayama Kaoru/Satō Hachirō/Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinaoplay_arrow
A cute nursery rhyme that personifies the wind
76eastPlum blossoms and nightingalesMonbushō shōka
Plum blossoms and nightingalesMonbushō shōkaplay_arrow
Plum blossoms with a bush warbler—the scene from a Ministry of Education school song.
77eastChoco-choco chocolateSakushi Sakkyoku: Aramaki Shake Hirai Takato Kidsu Purannaa
Choco-choco chocolateSakushi Sakkyoku: Aramaki Shake Hirai Takato Kidsu Purannaaplay_arrow
Valentine’s Day chocolate fingerplay song
78eastPechka (a type of Russian masonry stove)Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku
Pechka (a type of Russian masonry stove)Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsakuplay_arrow
Pechka, a heartwarming fireplace song for the cold winter
79eastSnow and ChildrenSakkyokusha: Fushō
Snow and ChildrenSakkyokusha: Fushōplay_arrow
A children's song depicting the hearts of children waiting for snow