Recommended sea songs for children: Popular Japanese songs related to the ocean
We’d like to introduce songs for children themed around the ocean, as well as songs related to the sea.
This time, instead of nursery rhymes, we’ve focused on Japanese pop songs—mainly popular anime tunes for kids and famous tracks that most people have heard at least once.
They’re all perfect for summer, so try playing them as background music for a family drive or camping trip, or as motivational songs when you want to give your best in studying, club activities, or lessons.
They’re also great for dance numbers and karaoke.
There are plenty of songs that will lift your spirits!
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Recommended ocean songs for children: Popular Japanese songs about the sea (11–20)
Island SongTHE BOOM
Isn’t this a melody many of us know by heart? It’s a signature song by THE BOOM, a four-piece rock band from Yamanashi Prefecture.
Released in 1993 as their 11th single, it became a huge hit.
The sound and lyrics conjure up images of blue seas and skies, white sandy beaches, and a refreshing breeze.
Once you hear it, you’ll find yourself humming it at unexpected moments.
Dynamic RyukyuIkuma Akira
When you think of the sea, you think of Okinawa.
It’s a wonderful place where the blue sky meets the endlessly sparkling ocean, and time passes slowly.
A song that powerfully captures the spirit of Okinawa’s waters is Akira Ikuma’s “Dynamic Ryukyu.” The song is quite well-known—it’s even been used in an Orion Beer commercial in Okinawa, and some schools have chosen it as a cheer song for their games at the National High School Baseball Championship at Koshien.
The drumbeats convey a strong sense of power, and Akira Ikuma’s soulful vocals resonate deeply.
There’s also choreography for the song, so it would be great for kids to dance to as a performance at a school sports day.
Summer of Goodbye ~From Up on Poppy Hill~Jiburi
This is the theme song of Studio Ghibli’s animated film From Up on Poppy Hill, sung by Aoi Teshima.
It’s a cover of a song originally released by Ryoko Moriyama in 1976, so some of your family might know the original version.
The song has a somewhat wistful mood, evoking thoughts of a loved one while gazing at a calm sea at dusk.
Although it wasn’t newly written for the film, it curiously aligns with the feelings of the protagonist, Umi, who waits for her father lost at sea and her mother who is overseas.
If you’re looking for a slightly more mature song about the sea, this is a perfect choice.
shigure (late autumn/early winter drizzle)Ryūgen Toshi
Let me introduce a song connected to the sea that resonates deeply with Ryugen ToshI.
Released in February 2023 as the opening theme for the anime “Kancolle: Someday in that Sea,” this piece features a soulful vocal performance themed around parting, reunion, and gratitude.
Its intense yet heartrending blend of rock and ballad stirs the listener’s emotions.
The lyrics depict a protagonist who overcomes tears and moves forward, offering children courage and hope.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to even when the pain of parting from someone dear feels heavy.
Wake up!AAA
This is a song by AAA written specifically as the theme song for the anime ONE PIECE.
ONE PIECE is a story that depicts the journey and adventures of Luffy, the protagonist aiming to become the Pirate King, and his companions.
As a theme song, it’s perfectly fitting—a track that makes you want to sprint toward your dreams just by listening to it.
I’d love for children to hear this song at least once, as it expresses a positive outlook toward the future.
Of course it’s great for karaoke, and with its very refreshing sound, it’s also recommended as BGM for running along the coast!
From the sea where the shore is visibleAKB48
Released in the summer of 2016, AKB48’s “From the Sea Where the Shore Is Visible” is a track included on the group’s 45th single, Type C, “LOVE TRIP/Shiawase wo Wakenasai.” The song is performed by the Future Girls, a lineup of promising talents who placed 49th to 64th in the group’s General Election.
It conveys the pure feelings of the protagonist, who hands a love letter to someone they like.
Even if the answer is no, their graceful attitude evokes the spirit of youth.
The choreography is easy to follow, making it enjoyable as a dance song as well.
Recommended sea-themed songs for children. Popular Japanese songs about the ocean (21–30)
To the Ends of the Earth ~How Far I’ll Go~Dizunī
Here is the theme song from Disney’s 2016 film “Moana.” The protagonist, Moana, sets out alone on a forbidden voyage across the open ocean to save the islands where her people live from a looming crisis.
She goes in search of the goddess who created the islands, but encounters many challenges along the way.
This song, which conveys Moana’s strong will, is packed with a fiery spirit that’s perfect for the hot summer season.