[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for June: A Collection of Easy-to-Use Kayōkyoku and Children’s Songs for Recreation and BGM

Song of the FrogNEW!Doitsu min’yō

Frog Chorus (The Frog Song) - Children's Song/Round/Animation/With Lyrics/Yukano

With the rainy season approaching, it’s that time of year when the sound of rain feels soothing.

This work, which freely portrays natural scenery and living creatures, features Japanese lyrics written by Toshiaki Okamoto based on a 19th-century German folk song.

It became widely loved after being included in school textbooks in 1947.

Even today, it is used in local settings—for example, it has been adopted as the departure melody at JR Ryugasaki City Station since June 2017.

It’s famous for its round style, where simple, short phrases are sung in succession.

Because it creates a warm, friendly atmosphere, it’s recommended for singing activities at day-service centers.

Have everyone raise their voices together and let older adults enjoy a delightful time.

fireflyNEW!sakushi: inoue takeru sakkyoku: shimousa kanichi

Children’s Song “Fireflies”

This song lets you feel the beautiful transitions of nature, conjuring a quiet scene from summer dusk into night.

The lyrics were written by Takeru Inoue, who also devoted himself to language education, and the music was composed by Kan’ichi Shimofusa, a music educator who left behind many masterpieces.

It is a song included in a textbook published in 1932 and has been loved across generations.

The waterside scenery and the glimmer of lights in the darkness are expressed in exquisitely delicate words, and you can hum along to the gentle, comforting melody with a calm heart.

Because it is written within a range that can be sung without strain, it is perfect for daily singing exercises and choral recreation.

How about playing it as background music during the cool of the evening and sharing seasonal memories together with older adults?

Light Blue RainNEW!Yagami Junko

Light Blue Rain Junko Yagami with lyrics

A masterpiece that paints the pain of heartbreak in vivid colors, its sophisticated, urban sound lingers in the heart.

Released in September 1978 as singer-songwriter Junko Yagami’s fifth single, the song remains enduringly popular.

In October 1978, after appearing in a spotlight segment on a music program, it became widely known and a major hit.

Its soaring high-tone vocals and translucent melody are a perfect match for June’s gentle, humid air.

Sprinkled with rain motifs, this piece is ideal as background music for leisurely time spent indoors.

It’s also lovely to sing it freely at a karaoke gathering in a key that suits your voice.

How about it for a calm, rainy-day moment?

Happiness is here.NEW!ōtsu yoshiko

Here Lies Happiness (Yoshiko Ōtsu) with Japanese Lyrics

Let us introduce one of Yumiko Ōtsu’s signature songs, which has colored the popular tunes of the Showa era with a powerful yet warm singing voice.

This masterpiece carries a forward-looking theme: overcoming life’s storms and hardships to find the hope and joy that lie beyond.

Ōtsu’s lustrous, steadfast vocals lend the melody a deep, lingering richness.

Released as the theme song for a film of the same title in 1956, it became a major hit and remains beloved to this day.

It’s perfect as gentle background music when spending quiet time indoors during the rainy season, or for a relaxed sing-along recreation with everyone.

Cherished as a wedding classic and considered an auspicious song, it will softly resonate with older listeners and inspire brighter days.

Please enjoy it together!

in a blue suitNEW!Fujiyama Ichirō

In a blue suit, Ichiro Fujiyama, nostalgic songs

This is a wonderful song that evokes the charm of Showa-era modernity, portraying both the exhilaration of heading out on the town in stylish contemporary attire and the bittersweet feelings of a secret love.

Sung by Ichiro Fujiyama, the piece was released as a single in 1937 and is often discussed in connection with the film of the same name, which premiered in April 1937 the following month.

Even in later years, it was included in classic compilations such as Ichiro Fujiyama Complete Collection and has continued to be cherished for a long time.

The delicate emotions hidden beneath its bright, festive melody captivate listeners’ hearts.

During the rainy season, why not play it as background music while relaxing indoors and reminisce, at your own pace, about the sweet-and-sour memories of your youth? It’s sure to create a gentle time where older listeners can share stories and let their memories blossom.

Rainy Hollander SlopeWatanabe Hamako

Rainy Hollander Slope

A song that beautifully portrays a love story tinged with melancholy against the exotic, atmospheric backdrop of the port town of Nagasaki.

Released in January 1947, it features the moving voice of Hamako Watanabe, who brought a fresh breeze to Japan’s postwar popular music scene.

The vivid depictions unique to a port town—such as foreign residences and blue gas lamps—are striking, making it a perfect piece for the rainy season.

The dramatic lyrics by Kazuo Kikuta and the beautiful melody by Yuji Koseki blend together magnificently.

It’s also recommended for music recreation with seniors, as singing it together—with clear pronunciation and expressive delivery—can spark lively conversations and cherished memories.

Rainy MidosujiŌyō Fifi

Feifei Ouyang / Midosuji in the Rain (Stranger in Midosuji) (1971) Viewing No. 41

This song was the debut single of Fifi Ouyang, released in 1971, and it was composed by The Ventures, who sparked an electric guitar boom among Japanese youth.

Speaking of songs composed by The Ventures, Yuko Nagisa’s “Kyoto Bojo (Longing for Kyoto)” is also well known.

The lyrics are poignant: on a rainy night, a woman wanders up and down Midosuji, Osaka’s main street, from Kita to Minami, searching for her lover without even carrying an umbrella.

Through Fifi Ouyang’s dynamic vocals, you can sense the resolve of a woman determined to face forward and live strongly from now on.