A collection of cheerful nursery rhymes—songs that make you feel happy when you sing them.

Let’s smile tomorrow.

Found it! I played “Let’s Laugh Tomorrow” from Miitsuketa! on the piano by Kossy.

This is a song with lyrics by Shigeo Takahashi and music by Sukima Switch.

It’s the song of Kossy, the blue chair character from NHK Educational TV’s “Miitsuketa!” The phrase “Ashita Warao” (Let’s laugh tomorrow), which is also the title, appears many times.

It’s the kind of song that gradually lifts your spirits as you sing it.

Jaku-jaku Amanojaku

Jakujaku Amanojaku (Piano with Vocals) from “Okaasan to Issho”

Written by Mitsuhiko Fujiki with music by Kumoyuki (Akiko Fukuoka and Yuichi Ohata), this was the “Song of the Month” on Okaasan to Issho in April 2014.

From the very beginning, its captivating melody and lyrics draw you in, making it a song you won’t forget after hearing it once.

Even a child who says contrary, cheeky things might start to seem adorable if you sing this song.

Being human is nice

Gagaga DX “It’s Great to Be Human”

It’s a song with lyrics by Akari Yamaguchi and music by Asei Kobayashi.

In 1984, it became the ending theme for the TV program Manga Nihon Mukashi-banashi (MBS).

It was also used in a Nissan Serena commercial, so many people may recognize it even if they don’t know the anime.

Found you!

Tortoise Matsumoto “Miitsuketa”

Written and composed by Tortoise Matsumoto, this song was used on the NHK program “Miitsuketa!” But regardless of that, it’s a great song for adults to listen to and sing as well.

Both the melody and the lyrics grab your heart the first time you hear it.

Yokai Shiritori

“Yokai Shiritori,” a song from Okaasan to Issho

Lyrics by Okuhara Yume, music by Tane Tomoko.

It’s a song that was sung on “Okaasan to Issho.” The names of yokai form a shiritori chain, and the lyrics simply have them appearing one after another, but together with the melody, it becomes an unforgettable song.

Ofurosuki Counting Song

Ofurosuki Counting Song

This song was written and composed by Kensaku Kobayashi and is an insert song from the children’s program “Miitsuketa!”.

Have you ever seen Ofurosuki wearing coveralls? It’s a counting song sung by a quirky, funny, and charming character.

How about singing it together with your child?

Where is this mushroom?

I tried singing “Dokonoko no Kinoko”

With lyrics by Morichiyoko and music by Zahatorte, this song was performed on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics are mysterious—like wordplay, a tongue twister, or perhaps some kind of spell.

To sing it at a brisk tempo, it might be best to loosen up your mouth muscles first!