[2026] Bon Odori songs every child knows! A roundup of fun festival tunes

Kiyoshi’s Zundoko Song

Wadaiko Bon Odori Song – Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi Chiba Kagura Daiko 2018 32nd Masago Summer Festival

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.

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Tiny Middle-Aged Man Ondo

Little Old 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.

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Oba-Q Ondo

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.

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Hawaii Ondo

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.

Edo Festival Hayashi

Edo Festival Music (Matsuribayashi) — Sagami-ryu Sato Kagura, Hagiwara Masayoshi Troupe

It is said to have been devised during the era of Tokugawa Yoshimune, the eighth shogun of the Edo shogunate, with its origins at Katori Shrine in Kasai.

There are set pieces performed like a suite—“Yatai,” “Shoden,” “Kamakura,” “Yonchome,” and “Agari Yatai”—and these are collectively called a hitoppayashi, the smallest unit of hayashi (festival music).

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Festival Song

Festival Song by Ichiro Toba

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.

Maru-chan’s Shizuoka Ondo

Maru-chan’s Shizuoka Ondo Choreography Instruction Video

This song was created as a PR song for Shizuoka City due to the connection that Momoko Sakura, the author of Chibi Maruko-chan, hails from Shizuoka City.

Well-known artists such as Haruomi Hosono and Pierre Taki were also involved.

The lyrics, brimming with love for Shizuoka, are well supported by the city’s residents.

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