[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 Fun Festival Song Collection (1–10)
Pikachu Ondo
Pikachu, the hugely popular character from the kids’ anime Pokémon (Pocket Monsters).
How about trying the Bon Odori dance to “Pikachu Ondo,” where even Pikachu dances cutely? The lyrics introduce what kind of Pokémon Pikachu is.
In the official choreography, there are unique moves that mimic Pikachu’s distinctive features like its ears and cheeks, as well as choreography inspired by Pikachu’s signature move, Thunder—super unique! While it has the traditional Bon Odori melody, it also includes pop elements that kids can enjoy, so be sure to give it a try!
Sumikkogurashi Ondo
“Sumikko Gurashi Ondo” is a fun festival dance song that expresses the world of Sumikko Gurashi through music.
It charmingly introduces the distinctive traits of its unique characters—like Tonkatsu, Shirokuma, Tokage, and Neko—while encouraging everyone to join in and dance together, which is particularly memorable.
Since its release in November 2018, it has become a fan favorite, often used at Sumikko Gurashi events and promotions.
Be sure to try dancing to it at summer festivals and events—kids and adults alike can enjoy it together! It also sounds fun to get creative with the choreography and come up with your own original dance.
Daruma-chan Ondo
Many children have probably read the Daruma-chan picture book series at nursery school, kindergarten, or at home.
Daruma-chan Ondo was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first work in the series, Daruma-chan and Tengu-chan.
The lyrics depict a Bon Odori scene with the sounds of drums and flutes and hand movements for dancing.
Various characters from the picture books also appear, so children who know the stories will likely feel especially excited to join in the dance.
[2026] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A fun festival song roundup (11–20)
Japan’s Big Three Chatcha-cha!
This is a fun song themed around Bon Odori dances from all over Japan.
It unfolds with a friendly tempo and rhythm.
The vocals are bright, and the repeated words and rhythmic phrases are catchy, so children will quickly learn and enjoy it.
The instrumental sounds are lively, creating the perfect atmosphere for dancing with hand claps and calls.
Its structure highlights the unique qualities of each region, making it enjoyable to experience the cultures of Japan while playing.
It’s well-suited for summer festival stages and school events, and it’s a piece that naturally brings out smiles.
Mottainai Grandma Ondo
“Mottainai Grandma” is a hugely popular picture book series.
This song is the “Mottainai Grandma Ondo,” which teaches how to avoid wastefulness, making it perfect for summer festivals and Bon dances! It’s fun to dance to, and it also helps educate kids about saving and not being wasteful, so it’s a festival song you’ll want to keep handy.
It’s also widely known, so we recommend including this song in Bon dances where children participate.
Zunpa Ondo
It’s a lively, cheerful festival song that spreads a bright, bustling atmosphere.
Packed with elements kids can connect with right away—like twirling their bodies and moving their arms and legs briskly—it features a light, upbeat tempo.
Drums and flutes boost the rhythm, and the continual development makes you smile as you move along.
You’ll also enjoy a sing-along-friendly melody that naturally makes you want to hum while matching the dance moves.
The changing sections keep things interesting, so it never gets dull to listen to.
It’s a perfect highlight for summer events or Bon Odori at preschools, bringing the whole venue together as one.
This energetic track, great for dancing with children, is also ideal for creating lasting summer memories.
Let’s dance, Ondo!
This is a participatory Bon Odori song that everyone can enjoy moving their bodies to.
The comical vocals and lively rhythm combine to create an atmosphere that naturally makes you want to dance as you listen.
The choreography that matches the lyrics is easy to follow, making it perfect for getting everyone excited at preschools or local summer festivals.
With moves like fireworks and hand claps, you’ll listen on with anticipation, wondering what comes next.
The instrumental tones are vibrant, and the balance with the vocals is exquisite.
A major appeal is that children can shout along, move their bodies, and have fun together.
Whether dancing in yukata or hero costumes, this song lets you fully feel the bustle of summer.