[Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations
The folk songs and children’s songs that resound across Hokkaido’s land carry the lives, joys, and prayers of people who have long faced its harsh nature.
Traditional music such as Esashi Oiwake and Soran Bushi has been passed down across generations and remains deeply rooted in many hearts today.
In this article, we introduce beloved classics—folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes—that have been handed down in Hokkaido and are still cherished today.
Why not lend an ear to these nostalgic melodies and feel the allure of music nurtured by the northern land?
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Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido: Beloved Hokkaido Songs Across the Ages (21–30)
HAPPY HONEY HORSENo-zan Ho-su Pa-ku
The hand-play song about horses produced by Northern Horse Park in Tomakomai, Hokkaido is a piece that expresses the fun of interacting with horses through dance.
It’s designed so that children can physically portray the characteristics of horses—like the clip-clop of running, affectionate nuzzling, long necks, and signature gestures—in time with the rhythm.
By weaving running and jumping movements into the lyrics and using lots of easy-to-mimic onomatopoeia, the song is structured so even first-time listeners can quickly sing and dance along.
Released in April 2023, the lyrics were written by Nanami Miyoshi and the Northern Friends, with music by Shuntaro Yamauchi and Nanami Miyoshi.
You can also enjoy the music video on the park’s official website.
Watching the video before your visit and then meeting the horses on-site will likely make the experience even more memorable.
It’s the perfect track for parents and children who want to move their bodies while growing fond of horses!
Soran-bushi (from “Northward,” Four Japanese Folk Songs for Mixed Chorus and Piano)Matsushita Kou
A work spun by Ko Matsushita—renowned as a composer of choral music—based on a Hokkaido folk song is included as the fourth piece of Four Japanese Folk Songs “Kita e” for mixed chorus and piano.
While making use of the original song’s herring-fishery shouts and its powerful spirit that faces rough seas, it fuses jazz tension chords and rock upbeats into a contemporary sound.
The score was published by Ongaku no Tomo Sha in November 1997.
Frequently chosen for choral concerts and competitions, this piece, which expresses the breath of seafaring men through chorus, is perfect for occasions where you want to present a performance with unified strength.
Children’s Bon Odori SongMochida Yoshiko
It’s a Bon Odori song for children that originated in Ebetsu, Hokkaido.
Since Bon Odori songs were originally meant for adults, this one was created for children and was even incorporated into school education.
Including the sound of horse bells—“shanko shanko”—in the lyrics is a cute touch, isn’t it?
Nanchu SoranItō Takio
Brimming with youthful energy, I realized for the first time just how cool the Soran Bushi can be.
It’s said that the version of Soran Bushi arranged by folk singer Takio Ito was turned into a dance by teachers and students at a junior high school in Wakkanai, Hokkaido.
It later became famous nationwide.
The Soran Bushi is alive in the present.
Fuki Festival OndoYokokawa Yuko
This is a new folk song from Kushiro City.
Every June, the “Northern Venus Fuki Festival” is held in Onbetsu, featuring a thousand-person dance, sales of products and dishes related to fuki (butterbur), and even competitions using fuki—an entire celebration devoted to it.
A festival with fuki as the main theme is quite rare, isn’t it?
Donan Nut Bushmin’yō hatakeyama kai
It was a popular song from the Meiji era, sung mainly in Hokkaido.
It was sung among female workers at canning factories and came to be called the “Natto-bushi” from the refrain “natto natto.” The faint feelings of love toward a man returning to the mainland are touching.
The Song of the Flow of the Ishikari River in Crimson ScarletSeikō
This is a new folk song from Hokkaido that sings of the Ishikari River, whose source is the majestic Daisetsuzan.
Just listening to the music conveys that grandeur.
Its leisurely melody carries Daisetsuzan, the Kamikawa Basin, and the Ishikari River, unfolding a landscape full of natural beauty.
You might even get a better taste of the Ishikari River than by looking at a travel magazine.