Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song

When we hear the gentle melodies of nostalgic children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes, memories from our early childhood come vividly rushing back, as if we’ve crossed time and space.

Perhaps you, too, have a “song of nostalgia” that has stayed with you since you were young.

In this article, we introduce iconic Japanese children’s songs (shoka), folk songs and nursery rhymes cherished and passed down across the regions, as well as beloved tunes often featured in school performances and recreational activities.

Shall we set off on a heartwarming sonic journey into the world of children’s songs that softly reflect Japan’s seasons, culture, and everyday life?

Playlist

Nostalgic Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: The Heart of Japan Passed Down Through Song
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Please let me pass.warabeuta		Nursery rhymes and children's play songs from the approach to Kawasaki Daishi Temple
2	Let’s clap our handssakushi: kobayashi jun’ichi/genkyoku: cheko minyō		A song that expresses joy with handclaps, loved by a wide range of generations.
3	Momotarosakushi: fushō / sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi		The story of the traditional Japanese children's song “Momotaro”
4	Frog ChorusSakushi : Okamoto Toshiaki / Genkyoku: Doitsu min’yō		A song with an easy-to-remember melody that’s good for singing in a round
5	Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catsakushi sakkyoku/yamamoto naozumi		A hand-play song with animals using shiritori, hugely popular with children
6	Old Man with a BeardSakushi: Fushō / Sakkyoku: Tamayama Hidenobu		The charm and fun of the fingerplay song “Hige Jiisan” (Grandpa with a Beard)
7	The Puppy Police OfficerSakushi: Satō Yoshimi / Sakkyoku: Ōnaka Megumi		A police dog helping a lost kitten
8	snowMonbushō shōka		A masterful song, rich in sensitivity, that sings of the arrival of spring.
9	hometownSakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi		A timeless song that sings of hometown scenery and memories
10	Close It, Open ItMonbushō shōka		Fingerplay songs are popular in childcare and among the elderly.
11	Mr. ElephantSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma		A children’s song with lyrics by Michio Mado
12	FlowerTaki Rentarō		Spring Scenery: The Allure of Cherry Blossoms and Songs on the Sumida River
13	King Kamehameha of the Southern Islandssakushi: itō akira / sakkyoku: morita kōichi		The gentle family song of the Hawaiian royal family
14	Gonbe-san’s BabySakushi: Tashiga Akira / Genkyoku: Amerika min’yō		A gentle, beloved children's song with lyrics by Akira Tajika
15	pine coneSakushi: Hirota Takao / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Tsuyae		Autumn nursery rhyme of pinecones and a monkey
16	teru teru bozu (a traditional Japanese handmade doll hung to wish for good weather)Sakushi: Asahara Kyōson / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei		A nursery rhyme that places wishes in a rainy day's doll
17	Banana Parent and ChildSakushi: Seki Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako		The Banana Family’s Fun Song and Family Love
18	The Bear of the Forestamerika min’yō		A Nursery Rhyme about a Bear’s Adorable Encounter in the Forest
19	Brr, it’s so cold.warabeuta		Children’s songs for the cold season are simple and charming.
20	Summer MemoriesSakushi: Ema Akiko / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao		Nostalgic summer classics, the beauty of nature that resonates with the heart
21	tidying up		A children's song that makes tidying up fun
22	the temple’s head monk		The tradition and charm of the hand-play song “Sesse-sse”
23	Spring MeadowSakushi: Sakata Hiroo Sakkyoku: Ichikawa Toshiharu		A children's song about a spring pasture where foals gallop.
24	I accidentally broke the clarinet.Sakushi: Ishii Yoshiko / Sakkyoku: Fumei		The Song of the Boy Who Failed at Clarinet Playing
25	Mr. Elephant		A children's song that affirms differences and cherishes being oneself
26	horse (childish/affectionate term)Sakushi: Hayashi Ryūha / Sakkyoku: Matsushima Tsune		A song story depicting the affection between a foal and its mother horse
27	Adorable foalSakushi: Satō Hachirō / Sakkyoku: Niki Takio		A classic that warmly portrays a scene of a foal and a child
28	Horse’s tail, pig’s tail.Sakushi: Abe Hitomi / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi		An adorable nursery rhyme about a horse and a pig’s tails
29	All mothersamerika min’yō		The Mysterious Song of the Horse and the Piglet, a Japanese Children's Song
30	Ten thousand feet in the Alps		At the summit of Kogyari, enjoying a hand-clapping song.
31	seaSakushi: Hayashi Ryūha / Sakkyoku: Inoue Takeshi		Masterpieces depicting seascapes: the charm of heart-stirring school songs
32	Zuizui Zukkorobashi		A song that depicts the harsh era of “kirisute gomen.”
33	Mother in the EveningSakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao		A timeless song that sings of a mother's warmth on an autumn evening
34	Ongo		Nostalgic children's songs of Osaka
35	The scenery of the whole world		A spring playground song from Osaka, the song of a nightingale
36	oshikura manju (a children’s pushing game)		Oshikura manju is a winter playground song.
37	Sakura, sakura		A famous song that represents Japan, praising the beauty of cherry blossoms
38	Choo-choo train		In the past, trains and ships were the main modes of transportation.
39	TulipSakushi: Kondo Miyako / Sakkyoku: Inoue Takeshi		Tulip song, love of color and diversity
40	Donguri Korokoro		Nursery rhymes nurture children’s hearts and emotions.
41	One, two, three, four, two, five		A traditional counting nursery rhyme enjoyed with finger play
42	Oonami Konami		Popular music teaching materials for eurhythmics and jump rope
43	Goodbye, ankoro mochi.		A traditional song of wordplay that wishes for reunion
44	From inside the bamboo grove		A rhythmic play song that nurtures children's imagination
45	Horsetail shoots are poking up.		A wordplay masterpiece that lets you feel the breath of spring
46	Keep crossing the bridge one after another.		A playable nursery rhyme featuring a fox
47	Pretty good.warabeuta		Songs to enjoy with children through rhythm play
48	Opened, openedwarabeuta		A spring children's song, singing of nature and tradition
49	hazy moonlit night		Spring rapeseed blossom fields, cherishing traditional children's songs
50	Mother’s Song		A mother's love remains unchanged across eras.
51	Seagull Sailor		The era when sailor uniforms and songs were popular
52	Cute fishmonger		In the past, I used to buy ingredients from peddlers.
53	The Sparrow School		Sparrow School, a song that now feels nostalgic
54	Come, firefly		Fireflies’ glow, a scene of Japanese summer
55	The gentle green breeze		Nostalgic songs and greenery, memories of spring long ago
56	skiing		Nostalgic Memories of Winter Sports and My Father’s Songs
57	Itsuki Lullaby		A plaintive song of an apprentice child, a folk song from Kumamoto
58	Red sky at dusk		The melody remains in the daily lives of Japanese people.
59	The monk of the mountain temple		The Monk’s Strange Imaginary Song World
60	Height comparison		The marks on the pillar that recorded a child’s growth are now a thing of the past.
61	The Ball and the Lord		The sorrowful history hidden in a children's song
62	yomogi-jōbu nowarabeuta		Singing about Japan’s seasons and children’s growth
63	Toy Cha-Cha-ChaSakushi: Nosaka Akiyuki, Yoshioka Osamu / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi		A fun nursery rhyme about a toy parade, very popular with children
64	The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom		A beautiful piece depicting the scenery of a mandarin orange orchard.
65	Seven-year-old child		Raising young crows is an all-or-nothing act of love
66	Harvest Moon		The Rabbit Song: A Lonely Tale of a Solitary Girl
67	Come, spring		A children's song awaiting spring in snow-deep Niigata
68	Red Shoes		The girl with the red shoes: a sad fate and a mother’s love
69	The Hare and the Tortoise		The Tortoise and the Hare: Teaching the Importance of Effort
70	Desert of the Moon		A folk song with exotic flair modeled after Onjuku Beach.
71	red dragonfly		Sad Memories of the Red Dragonfly and My Older Sister
72	Doll with Blue Eyes		Blue-eyed dolls as a bridge of friendship between Japan and the United States
73	Friendly Path		In the past, children’s commute to school was free and safe.