Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.

The Bear of the Forest

Japanese Children’s Song – Dōyō – Mori no Kuma-san – The Bear of the Forest

“The Bear in the Forest,” a song we often played around with using all sorts of goofy parody lyrics, is also great for karaoke.

Everyone knows it, from little kids to the elderly, so it really gets the crowd going.

Before you know it, everyone’s singing along in a big chorus! If people from different regions get together, it might be fun to share the kinds of parody versions you used to sing.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Spring has come.

Spring Has Come [Children's Song] Spring has come ♪ Where has it come? ♪

Even people who are now elderly almost certainly sang “Haru ga Kita” when they were children.

Amazingly, this children’s song has been sung continuously ever since it was published in the 1910 compilation Shinjō Shōgaku Tokuhon Shōka.

Its simple lyrics and the uplifting feeling of spring’s arrival make it a delightful tune.

If you’re wondering what to sing at karaoke with your child, this is a highly recommended choice.

I hope parents and children will enjoy singing it together at karaoke as a way of passing it down from one generation to the next.

Your child is sure to love it!

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Yuuko.S

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A Little Bear in the Rain

A Rainy Little Bear (♪ It rained on the mountain ~) by Himawari / With Lyrics | June Children's Song [100 Best Japanese Songs]

“Amefuri Kumanoko” (The Little Bear in the Rain) was written by Masao Tsurumi in 1961 and composed by Akira Yuyama.

After it was broadcast on NHK’s “Uta no Ehon” in 1962, it became widely loved and was selected in 2007 as one of the 100 Best Songs of Japan.

With its straightforward lyrics and very gentle melody, it’s a children’s song that crosses generations—parents who heard it in their own childhood want to share it with their kids.

It’s the kind of song three generations—grandparents, parents, and grandchildren—can enjoy together at karaoke!

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Yuuko.S

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Toy Cha-Cha-Cha

Japanese Children’s Song – Doyo – Omocha no Cha Cha Cha – Omocha no Cha Cha Cha

Many people sang “Omocha no Cha-Cha-Cha” when they were little, right? In fact, among children’s songs, this one is actually on the more difficult side in terms of rhythm and pitch.

But once you’re an adult, that level of complexity can actually make it easier to sing.

It’s a song where everyone—kids and adults alike—can get excited together, adding hand claps during the “cha-cha-cha” parts.

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Saitō Ayumu

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carp streamer

♪ Koinobori – Carp Streamers | Carp Streamers Higher Than the Rooftops; The Big Black Carp Is Father [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Koinobori is a song that makes you feel happy just by listening.

The lyrics were written by Miyako Kondo, and it has reportedly been sung since 1931.

It remains popular—selected for the Japan 100 Songs in 2007 and included on the 2019 album “Akari Oneesan no Nikoniko Henna Uta.” Above all, it’s an essential song for Children’s Day on May 5.

Fitting for a song sung on Children’s Day, its waltz rhythm fills you with excitement.

Still, it’s a tune that both kids and adults can enjoy singing together any time, not just on Children’s Day.

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Yuuko.S

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tea picking

Tea Picking – Crown Girls' Choir

Many of you may have sung this song because it was in your textbooks.

In 2007, it was selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” The song describes the scene of picking tea leaves.

Its history is old, going back to the Meiji era.

It first came to public attention when it was included in the 1912 publication “Elementary School Songs for the Third Grade.” There are also theories that it originated from traditional “tea-picking songs” that exist in various regions across Japan.

Ogre’s Pants

Japanese Children’s Song – Demon’s Underpants 3D! – Oni no Pants

“Funiculì, Funiculà” is an Italian song composed in 1880.

Based on this tune, a children’s parody version was created and became widely established as “Oni no Pantsu” (The Ogre’s Underpants).

The lyrics simply sing about how sturdy an ogre’s underpants are.

After being introduced with vocals by Seiji Tanaka in 1975, it was released as a single by the Victor label five years later in 1980.

It drew attention at the time, with portions of the lyrics even appearing in a popular manga.