[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 child knows! A fun festival song collection (51–60)
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.
Doremin Ondo
Doremin Ondo is an easy-to-enjoy festival song that we especially hope children will love—friendly and familiar like a nursery rhyme.
It’s a great pick for little ones who are experiencing ondo music for the first time.
The lyrics use the musical notes Do-Re-Mi as a motif, which fits nicely with the traditional Japanese ondo rhythm.
The chorus is arranged so everyone can sing together in a lively call-and-response style, and the relaxed tempo makes it easy to dance to.
It’s perfect for kindergarten performances and the like—a song that’s fun to sing and dance to.
Pokemon Ondo
Move your body to the rhythm! Here are some ideas for the “Pokémon Ondo.” The anime “Pokémon” is popular with both children and adults, but did you know there’s a song called “Pokémon Ondo”? Enjoy the summer festival to the beat of drums and bells in true Bon Odori style.
Familiar melodies and choreography that incorporates Pokémon names and traits are sure to capture children’s interest! The adorable sight of kids pretending to be Pokémon will definitely be a highlight.
Earth (Pekopon) Invasion Ondo
This is an ode featuring the star of the gag anime Sergeant Keroro, originally created by Mine Yoshizaki.
Although Sergeant Keroro and the others are supposed to be aliens who came to invade Earth, the series depicts their daily lives as they settle into Japanese life, and you can feel that laid-back atmosphere in this song as well.
The orthodox ondō rhythm also makes it perfect for festivals.
[2026] Bon Odori songs every kid knows! A fun roundup of festival tunes (61–70)
Slowpoke Ondo
Slowpoke, a popular character from Pokémon with a spacey, adorable vibe.
Since August 10 is Slowpoke Day, the “Slowpoke Ondo” was announced on that date in 2018.
Because “udon” and “Yadon” (Slowpoke’s Japanese name) sound similar, Kagawa Prefecture—famous as the Udon Prefecture—has frequently collaborated with Slowpoke, and the lyrics even use Kagawa dialect.
The song’s words express a desire to become like Slowpoke, living idly without doing anything.
Contrary to Slowpoke’s image of not moving at all, the music is a fast-paced, upbeat style.
Dance with full energy as if you’re dancing in Slowpoke’s place!
Home Run Ondo
Summer is all about high school baseball, isn’t it? After watching those heated games, the bon odori I’d love for you to try is the “Home Run Ondo.” It’s a bon dance song for children and is actually used at many bon dance venues.
As the title suggests, the lyrics are all about baseball—depicting the scene of aiming for a home run and clinching victory.
If your child plays baseball, it’s great to dance while thinking, “I’m definitely going to hit a home run in the next game!” The tempo is on the relaxed side, and the lyrics are catchy enough to make you want to sing along, so it’s a lot of fun to dance to!
Ecchu Owara Bushi
The Bon Odori festival “Owara Kaze no Bon” is held in the Yatsuo district of Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture.
This historic festival, selected as one of the “Top 100 Cultural Properties of Toyama,” takes place every year from September 1 to 3.
Dancers perform to the Echu Owara-bushi folk song, with choreography divided into women’s and men’s styles.
Divided into eleven neighborhoods, men and women dance with their faces hidden by sedge hats to the folk tune “Echu Owara-bushi,” drawing a total of around 250,000 spectators who come to watch.