We’ve gathered classic and must-hear picks of traditional Bon-odori songs recommended by our studio staff—fun for everyone from adults to kids.
It’s a playlist sure to delight festival-loving Japanese listeners!
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Japanese ondo: a seasonal tradition everyone can enjoy (1–10)
Hometown Ibaraki Ondo
Set in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, this is a heart-stirring original bon-odori song.
Featuring the vocals of Mayuko Hayashida, the piece stands out with its brisk tempo and familiar, catchy phrasing.
Just by listening, you can feel your body naturally start to move as if you were in the festival circle—such is its joy.
Woven into the lyrics are deep affection for one’s hometown and a warm message encouraging everyone to cherish and carry on local traditions together.
Performed for many years at the Ibaraki Festival, it has been embraced as a bon dance number that promotes the community.
For those connected to Ibaraki City, it may well evoke fond memories and images of the hometown landscape.
Drifters’ Vibanon OndoThe Drifters
The members of The Drifters really like ondo (traditional Japanese dance songs).
Cheerful ondo numbers suit them perfectly.
The phrase “Babanba Banbanban~” is so famous that there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know it.
It’s fun how they sing while adding various call-and-response interjections.
Jabu-Jabu Dancehibari jidō gasshōdan
When you hear the lyrics “Ah—jab-jab, ah—feels so good,” it’s the kind of bon dance tune that makes you want to do the laundry or hop in the bath.
Since it was featured on Minna no Uta, it seems like a fun song to sing with kids.
I’d love to listen to it in the summer when I want to feel refreshed.
Mushroom OndoKenmochi Yusuke
This is a summer Bon Odori song created by Hokuto, the mushroom company.
The choreography is by air:man.
You can enjoy a memorable music video featuring many kinds of mushrooms dancing.
Hokuto has also released another song called “Kinoko Taiso” (Mushroom Exercise).
Gosha Dance
A celebratory local chant that has been handed down at Hine Shrine in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture.
Its origins lie in the travel songs popular during pilgrimages to Ise in the Edo period.
In 1965, its name was chosen through public submissions from parishioners, and it was dedicated along with choreography.
It is characterized by an energetic style where drum rhythms and spirited calls blend as one.
Carefully preserved by the hands of local residents, it is truly a song imbued with the heart of their hometown.
Why not experience the fervor of Osaka’s festivals and the warm prayers of its people?
Katano-bushi
This is a traditional Bon Odori song from the Kawachi region, believed to have originated in the mid-Edo period.
It is also known as a root of the Kawachi Ondo.
Each locality has passed it down with slight variations in melody and dance, and its simple, rustic tone may evoke images of one’s hometown.
In October 2018, a recording titled “Katano-bushi ~ Ishikawa Goemon ~,” arranged with orchestral accompaniment, was released.
Furthermore, in 2025, as part of a project related to the Osaka-Kansai Expo, an up-tempo arrangement of this piece aimed at younger listeners was introduced.
It is a fascinating track that lets you experience both traditional timbres and contemporary arrangements.
Ultraman Ondo
It’s a fun number that mixes the world of tokusatsu heroes with the rhythm of bon odori.
The presence of Ultraman—familiar to everyone—overlaps with the music and captures children’s hearts.
Adding choreography to the “signature pose” lines in the lyrics makes it easy to enjoy even for first-time festival-goers.
The drums and percussion in the background evoke the feeling of summer and bring liveliness to the whole track.
The vocals are dynamic, with clear shifts between sections that make it thoroughly engaging to listen to.
It’s highly recommended not only for kids who love Ultraman, but also for anyone in the mood to soak up a festive atmosphere.
