Lovely nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs

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

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

[2026] Bon Odori songs every child knows! A fun roundup of festival songs (31–40)

Laughing out loud to the festival music

[Stardust Kawachi] Gera Gera Po Bon Dance Ver. with Festival Music [Lecture]

Laughing out loud to the festival music

This is a song by King Cream Soda that was used as the opening theme for the anime Yo-kai Watch.

Yo-kai Watch is, as you know, very popular among children.

It’s not a traditional Bon Odori tune, but having a lively dance track like this might be fun too! The video we’re sharing is a choreography tutorial made for Bon Odori.

Be sure to use it as a reference when you want everyone to dance together.

It takes a bit of work to learn, but once you can dance it, I think even adults will have a great time with this song!

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Kuwagata Ondo

Kuwagata Ondo / Keropons & Ryuzo Fukuda

Kuwagata Ondo

Kero-pons, famous for songs like “Ebikanix” and for concerts at kindergartens and nursery schools, and Ryuzo Fukuda created the song “Kuwagata Ondo.” This “kuwagata” of course refers to stag beetles.

It’s a fun song about stag beetles set to the rhythm of an ondo.

Traditional ondo often features work songs or themes about local culture and isn’t necessarily aimed at children, but this “Kuwagata Ondo” is a song we can wholeheartedly recommend for kids! We hope it helps children discover just how fun ondo can be.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Hawk’s Claw Ondo

Hawk’s Claw Ondo (Long Version)

Hawk's Claw Ondo

The bon odori song “Taka no Tsume Ondo” from the anime Eagle Talon, which is popular with both adults and children.

The Eagle Talon Organization aims for world domination, but once again fails to achieve that goal today—so the song expresses the feeling of “let’s just dance and have fun for now.” The official choreography matches the cheerful lyrics with a comical routine that even kids will find easy to dance.

Since the song carries a message of “even if you fail, try again next time,” don’t be afraid of mistakes—enjoy dancing bon odori freely to this tune.

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Arale-chan Ondo

25 Arale-chan Ondo

Arale-chan Ondo

Arale-chan Ondo, which was used as the summer-only ending theme for the anime Dr.

Slump: Arale-chan, is a perfect track for anyone looking for a festival song that will get kids excited.

If you dance with a smile to the beat of the taiko drums, everyone is sure to have fun.

It’s great not only for dancing scenes but also as background music to liven up games and recreational activities! Aside from Arale-chan’s signature “Kiin!” move, it could be fun to let the kids dance freely.

Even just singing the chorus together creates a strong sense of unity.

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Tapu Tapu Ondo

Panda Tappy-Tap Tap-Tap Ondo

Tapu Tapu Ondo

The “Tapu-Tapu Ondo” is offered as a gift so children can enjoy dancing to it at kindergartens and day-care centers.

It’s perfect for activities at educational facilities and for events like summer festivals and Bon Odori.

“Tapu-Tapu,” who lives in the land of pandas, is a character filled with love and courage who never gives up no matter what difficulties they face.

Knowing this character image can be educationally beneficial when talking with children or dancing together.

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[2026] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A fun festival song roundup (41–50)

First Step Ondo

First Step Ondo Choreography Lecture / AKB48 [Official]

First Step Ondo

Since it’s an AKB48-style bon dance, the girls might be more motivated to watch carefully and learn it well.

The boys also know AKB48, so I think they’ll enjoy learning the dance together.

In the instructional video for the choreography, members Juri Takahashi and Yuka Tano appear, so the children will likely have fun learning it, and their level of interest may be different as well.

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Gudetama Ondo

Gudetama Ondo

Gudetama Ondo

Sanrio’s uniquely quirky character Gudetama was born in 2013—a lazy, droopy raw egg, just as the name suggests.

Every line it says is negative, and its lack of motivation is its defining trait.

This bon-odori tune captures that personality perfectly.

The choreography somehow evokes Gudetama’s vibe, and the lyrics feel slack and listless.

Bon dance music keeps evolving—why not enjoy it with this track, representing Sanrio’s modern generation?

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Murakami Shinpei

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In producing this article

Editorial Policy

With the theme “Bon Odori that both children and adults can enjoy,” we’ve picked out songs that liven up summer Bon Odori festivals. We’ve compiled tunes that people of all ages have actually enjoyed, highlighting the importance of making summer Bon Odori exciting for everyone, from kids to adults.

Kepiko (10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminder)

KOH-1 (music writer)

[Evidence]

[About the order of publication]

Based on the editorial team’s research results, the final decision also takes into account the total number of your “Rank Up” and “Rank Down” button presses.

[Update History]

June 3, 2025: Added/updated 16 reviews and refreshed the entire article.
May 12, 2025: Added/updated one review.
April 10, 2025: Added/updated one review.
June 21, 2024: Added and updated 15 reviews, and updated the entire article.
May 15, 2023: Added and updated 14 reviews and refreshed the entire article.
May 16, 2022: Added/updated six reviews.
May 10, 2021: Added/updated six reviews.
May 28, 2020: Added/updated 10 reviews.
May 26, 2020: Added and updated two reviews.
2019/7/30: Added/updated 5 reviews.
Added/updated 9 reviews on 2019/7/29.
2019/4/26: Added/updated three reviews.
2019/4/25: Added/updated 11 reviews.
May 26, 2018: Added/updated 14 reviews.
May 1, 2016: Published the article.