[Japanese Children's Songs] Carefully selected timeless masterpieces loved across generations!
Japanese shoka—songs everyone has hummed at least once—include classics like “Furusato,” “Haru no Ogawa,” and “Momiji.” The nostalgic melodies we learned in music class or sang with friends in childhood stay with us no matter how much time passes.
These works, which sing of seasonal landscapes and everyday scenes, are filled with the sensibilities of the Japanese people.
In this article, we introduce a selection of shoka that have been sung across generations.
Just seeing the titles will make you want to start singing—be sure to check out these beloved Japanese classics.
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[Japanese Children's Songs] Carefully selected timeless classics loved across generations! (51–60)
pigeon
It was published in 1911.
In 1941, the lyrics were revised and the title was changed to “Hatopoppo.” Both the lyricist and composer are unknown.
The lyrics describe feeding beans to pigeons, making it a rhythmic and fun song.
COSMOS
Lyrics and music by Mimas.
In 2000, an arrangement for three-part mixed chorus by Yutaka Tomizawa spread through schools.
Hearing only the title “Cosmos,” one might think of the flower, but it refers to the “universe.” The piece features a beautiful melodic line that flows with a grand sense of motion.
The Bell of Peace
The song was written and composed by singer-songwriter Yukihiro Nakazato and was released in 2000.
That same year, it was featured at the Kyushu-Okinawa Summit and drew attention.
Today, it is widely sung from elementary through high school.
The lyrics focus on the theme of war in Okinawa.
Let’s search for Tomorrow
A 1989 work with lyrics by Toru Hori and music by Toru Osawa.
Hori and Osawa are the same person, so in fact it is a piece written and composed solely by Osawa.
Although it was composed as a three-part mixed chorus for junior high school students, it is now also sung at elementary school graduation ceremonies.
It features measures of 2/4 interspersed within a 4/4 meter.
[Japanese Songs] Carefully Selected Masterpieces Loved Across Generations (61–70)
Tomorrow
Composed and written by Ryuichi Sugimoto, it was released in 1992 as the ending theme for NHK’s “Ikimono Chikyū Kikō” (A Journey Through the Living Earth).
Because the lyrics include many keywords such as “departure,” “wings,” “tomorrow,” and “bird,” it is often chosen as a graduation song in schools.
There’s no such thing as ghosts.
With lyrics by Minori Maki and music by Akira Mine, this charming song for lower elementary school children was released in 1966.
It depicts the feelings of a child who, while pretending to be brave by saying “There’s no such thing as ghosts,” is still a little scared.
In 2015, Kaela Kimura also covered the song.
Sugarcane field
Written and composed by Naohiko Terashima, this song was created in 1964, inspired by a visit to Okinawa.
It expresses feelings for the war dead who rest in the sugarcane fields swaying in the wind.
Because it has lyrics stretching to eleven verses, only portions are usually performed.
Famous renditions include those by Naomi Chiaki and Ryoko Moriyama, and it has also been arranged as a choral piece and widely sung.