[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 roundup (41–50)
Dokonjō Gaeru Ondo
Many of you may know this song as the ending theme of the anime “Dokonjo Gaeru”! The singer is Susumu Ishikawa, a friend of Kenjiro Hirose, who composed the song.
Ishikawa-san also sang “Oba-Q Ondo.” While the anime originally aired in the 1970s, it was adapted into a live-action drama in 2015 starring Kenichi Matsuyama.
As you can see in the video with the protagonist Hiroshi dancing, the choreography is simple and easy for both children and adults.
Take this opportunity to give it a try!
Shin-chan Ondo ~Come Dance with Me~
From children to their parents’ generation, the anime Crayon Shin-chan enjoys nationwide popularity.
This is one of the anime’s ending themes, and it’s a fun ondō number packed with that unmistakable Crayon Shin-chan flavor.
Astonishingly, it kicks off with a samba intro! Then, when the drums go “dodon” and the shinobue flute trills “pi-hyarari,” you’re instantly transported to the sights of a Japanese summer.
With vocals by Haruo Minami, the Japanese mood is turned up even more.
Shin-chan’s interjections are wonderful, too, making it a delightful song the whole family can enjoy.
Ondo Dango Three Brothers
Bon Odori version! Here’s an idea for “Ondo Dango 3 Kyodai.” It’s an arranged version of “Dango 3 Kyodai,” which has been loved by children since its 1999 release.
Keeping the same catchy lyrics and rhythm that stick in your head after just one listen, this version incorporates call-and-response shouts and taiko drums to create a Bon Odori arrangement! With its irresistibly singable, fun atmosphere, children will naturally join the circle and enjoy dancing.
It could also be fun to design choreography inspired by dango.
Gujo-bushi Kawasaki
The Gujo Odori Bon dance in Hachiman-cho, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture.
It is one of Japan’s three major Bon dances and one of the three great folk songs.
Dancers perform to the musical accompaniment known as Gujo-bushi, a folk song.
The dancers wear a tenugui cloth over their heads, white yukata, and red sashes.
The footage shows “Kawasaki,” but there are ten other pieces: “Harukoma,” “Sanbyaku,” “Yatchiku,” “Kocho Kawasaki,” “Gengen Barabara,” “Neko no Ko,” “Sawagi,” “Jinku,” and “Matsusaka.”
Children’s Bon Odori Song
The children’s Bon Odori song “Kodomo Bon Odori Uta” was created for kids in Hokkaido.
The song was composed with the hope that children would enjoy dancing the Bon Odori, and it was released in 1952.
For children in Hokkaido, it may be a particularly familiar Bon Odori tune.
Its tempo is much more relaxed than many commonly danced Bon Odori songs, so it should be easy to dance to not only for children in Hokkaido but for kids across Japan as well.
There are sections with choreography that matches the lyrics, making it easy even for first-time dancers to learn.
If you’re in the mood to enjoy a gentle, laid-back Bon Odori, give it a try.
Hikonyan Ondo
Among Japan’s many regional yuru-chara mascots, Hikone City’s “Hikonyan” from Shiga Prefecture is especially popular.
It’s an adorable cat character wearing a samurai helmet modeled after Hikone Castle.
The bon-odori song for this character is “Hikonyan Ondo.” Its simple, gentle melody and lyrics make it enjoyable even for children.
The song cleverly promotes Hikone Castle while showcasing Hikonyan’s cuteness—a savvy little number.
I wonder if this track is played at Hikone City’s Bon Festival dances.
If you’re a yuru-chara fan, this is an absolute must-listen!
Shimajiro Ondo
This is the bon-odori dance song for Shimajiro, the main character of the children’s educational magazine “Kodomo Challenge.” As you’d expect from a song for early childhood education, both the lyrics and the choreography are very easy to understand and dance to.
It’s made so that families and friends can enjoy dancing together at bon dances and summer festivals, making it a very reassuring song.
If you wear a headband and dance with lots of energy, it will be even more exciting.