![[Folk and Children's Songs of Hokkaido] Songs of Hokkaido that continue to be loved across generations](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HctRNYEShg8/hqdefault.jpg)
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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[Hokkaido Folk Songs and Children’s Songs] Hokkaido Songs Loved Across Generations (1–10)
Hokkai Yanresa-bushi
A heart-thumping song from Hokkaido, its rousing “Yanresa” chants linger in the ear.
The lively rhythm woven by shamisen and drums conjures up a scene of people forming a circle and dancing on the northern land.
Unlike traditional folk songs that depict harsh nature, this piece celebrates warm moments of voices joined together and hope for the future.
Included on Erina Kato’s album “Michishirube,” released in June 2023, its call-and-response format naturally invites participation—an irresistible charm.
It’s a song that symbolizes life in Hokkaido, often heard at local festivals.
Hidaka Uma Kata Mikudari
This is a quintessential Hokkaido parlor song in which the melancholy of horse drivers and the lively atmosphere of the red-light districts blend beautifully.
The plaintive resonance of the sansagari mode, with its bass-rich shamisen, is overlaid with the powerful, soaring melodic turns derived from horse-driver songs, stirring the listener’s heart.
It is said that this piece was once sung at banquets in towns that prospered from herring fishing.
When Reiko Yamamoto recorded it in the late 1930s, it spread nationwide, and thanks to its intricate technique, it has also been cherished as a listening piece to savor carefully.
Brimming with profound appeal, it evokes both the resilience of those who lived on the northern frontier and the fervor of their festivities.
Choi-sa section
Set against the majestic seas of Hokkaido, this lively song celebrates the spirited energy of fishermen and the joy of a great catch.
You can picture the scene: tightening their bold “tairyo” tenugui headbands, comrades join forces to celebrate a bountiful haul.
The song’s greatest charm is, without a doubt, the rousing chant “Choisa.” It’s wonderful how it creates a participatory excitement, bringing singers and listeners together as one.
Its popularity is evident from the way it has been passed down by many performers, including Motoharu Sasaki.
Heard at Bon dances or festivals, it conveys the strength and vitality of people living in the northern country.
Hokkai Daikoku Dance
A lively celebratory song that heralds the arrival of spring in the northern lands.
You can just picture Daikoku, the god of fortune, dancing into the home as the Seven Lucky Gods cheerfully start a sake feast—an auspicious scene if ever there was one.
Buoyant melodies woven by shakuhachi and shamisen mingle with a bright, resonant singing voice, lifting the listener’s spirits.
This piece is imbued with prayers for good fortune rooted in everyday life, making it perfect for New Year’s and festive gatherings.
It carries the unique brightness and strength of the north—qualities that have allowed it to be sung across generations.
Esashi Packhorse Driver’s Song
This is a song that vividly conjures up the scenes seen through the eyes of a traveler leading a horse—the beautiful sea of Esashi and the bittersweet partings with people along the way.
While cherishing the melancholy of traditional work songs, it blends in a familiar, pop-like melody.
Created as part of the “new folk songs” by lyricist Yurio Matsui and composer Joji Osawa, the piece gently unravels the faint loneliness felt on the road and the sudden longing for home with its tender tune.
It’s a warm, heart-filled song that will resonate with anyone who wishes to encounter something nostalgic.
Hokkai Iwai Nagashi Song
A traditional song from Hokkaido brimming with vitality.
This piece celebrates the rugged strength of those who work on the northern seas and the lively revelry of feasts held for big catches.
Its melody, set to the rhythm of rowing, conjures images of people who live with harsh nature, their joy, and the strong bonds among comrades.
The warmth of people nurtured by such a severe climate gently seeps into the listener’s heart.
It’s a perfect song for moments when you want to reflect on Hokkaido’s majestic landscapes or enjoy lively times with friends.
Red mountain, blue mountain, white mountain
Akai yama, Aoi yama, Shiroi yama (The Red Mountain, the Blue Mountain, and the White Mountain) was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1974 and became known nationwide.
Although it is a children’s song handed down in the Obihiro region, it is said to be the original tune for Hakushū Kitahara’s nursery rhyme Akai Tori Kotori (Red Bird, Little Bird).
The song depicts the four seasons of the Hidaka Mountains: the red mountain represents autumn, the blue mountain represents spring and summer, and the white mountain represents winter.