[2026] Bon Odori songs every child knows! A roundup of fun festival tunes
Bon Odori, a quintessential summer tradition! Festival stalls sell games and delicious food, making it hugely popular with kids.
Here, we’ll introduce a variety of wonderful Bon Odori songs—from tunes children already know to unique arrangements of J-pop and Western music.
Lots of new songs are appearing, too.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure about the dance steps—what matters is having fun.
Kids and adults alike, be sure to join in Bon Odori and make some great memories!
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[2026] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A roundup of fun festival tunes (91–100)
Sea Festival Ondo
A lively gathering of energetic sea creatures! Umi no Omatsuri Ondo, a bon dance song beloved by children, livens up the ocean festival with cheerful dancing.
Characters like octopuses, squids, sharks, and dolphins appear one after another, and seeing them dance together is sure to bring a smile to your face.
With lyrics and a melody brimming with love for the sea by Yukina Sugimura and Midori Sugimura, the song is cleverly designed so children can naturally learn the choreography.
At summer festivals or bon dance events, be sure to dance along with everyone! You’re sure to make wonderful memories.
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko Song
Zundoko-bushi has been passed down and sung by many artists as a Japanese kayōkyoku song, but it’s probably Kiyoshi Hikawa’s 2002 rendition, “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi,” that’s famous across generations.
He performed it multiple times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it’s often played on TV as well.
Given its high recognition, it has become a standard Bon Odori number all over Japan.
[2026] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A fun festival song roundup (101–110)
Tiny Middle-Aged Man Ondo
The unofficial mascot of Amagasaki City in Hyogo Prefecture, Chitchai Ossan, has a Bon Odori song called “Chitchai Ossan Ondo.” And guess who sings it: Takahiro Matsumoto, the older brother of Hitoshi Matsumoto from the comedy duo Downtown, who is also from Amagasaki! Chitchai Ossan enjoyed a surge in popularity along with the “yuru-chara” boom.
The lyrics of the song describe in detail Chitchai Ossan’s real name, personality, and what he does, so even kids who don’t know the character may find him endearing.
The episodes about Chitchai Ossan portrayed in the song are funny, so you can enjoy dancing the Bon Odori while laughing at the lyrics.
Oba-Q Ondo
This is a pioneering song in the anime-ondo genre.
It was created as the opening theme for the gag anime Obake no Q-Taro and became a huge hit, selling over two million records.
Since then, it has long been beloved across Japan as a children’s ondo song.
Hawaii Ondo
This is a song released in 1980 by Tonosama Kings, who were active as a comic band.
Three years later, they released “Brazil Ondo.” With its cheerful, relaxed, and free-spirited feel, the song lets children dance happily and brightly with calm hearts.
The inclusion of charming, Hawaiian paradise-like tones adds to the fun, bringing the mood of Hawaiian dance into the choreography.
Village Festival
This song was included in Shōka for Ordinary Elementary Schools, a music textbook for elementary students published in 1912.
Although the lyricist has yet to be identified, recent research suggests it may be Shigeru Kuzuhara, who wrote Yūhi (Sunset).
It is a song about a village harvest festival, notable for incorporating festival music chants into the lyrics.
Festival Song
I think it’s very good for children to learn lyrics that evoke the warm atmosphere of Japan.
The melody is relaxed, making it perfect for dancing.
Bon Odori is also an Obon event held when people return to their hometowns, so even the lyrics make it a song that perfectly suits summer festivals.
It’s a recommended song that can get everyone excited, from the elderly to children, dancing together.