Recommended sea songs for children: Popular Japanese songs related to the ocean

Mambo Jimbetatsu!Sakushi sakkyoku: Beppu Nodoka

[Dance Kids] Mambo Jim Betatsu! / gaagaaS [preschool/sea/fish/aquarium/sports day/recital/funny faces/parenting/children’s songs]

This is a playful song where beloved ocean creatures like sunfish and whale sharks make one cheerful entrance after another to a lively beat.

Created by Nodoka Beppu, who draws inspiration from children’s smiles, the song features catchy phrases that make the most of the sounds of each animal’s name.

The video on the childcare website is also very popular, suggesting it’s widely enjoyed in real settings.

Dancing as if you’re ocean creatures might spark children’s rich expressive abilities.

Hyokkori Hyoutan-jimaLyrics: Hisashi Inoue / Morihisa Yamamoto ・ Music: Seiichirō Uno

Hyokkori Hyoutan Island Theme Song

It’s an exhilarating song for setting off on an adventure, with lyrics by playwrights Hisashi Inoue and Morihisa Yamamoto and music by composer Seiichirō Uno.

Its buoyant melody carries a powerful message about overcoming any hardship together with your friends.

This track is famously known as the theme song for an NHK puppet show that began airing in April 1964—some of you may have been hooked on it back then! There are many videos available with choreography, so why not use them as a reference and get moving energetically with the kids?

Whale BusSakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Tsuyoshi

Whale Bus (Okaasan to Issho) / Daisuke Yokoyama & Takumi Mitani

A giant sea creature transforms into a bus and sets off on a grand adventure to Antarctica, carrying fish passengers on board! This song, which unfolds in such a playful world, is a work by the renowned duo of lyricist Takao Ide and composer Takeshi Shibuya.

Since its debut on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” in June 2006, it has been lovingly passed down and sung by many performers.

If children sing while pretending to be the driver or the passengers, they can enjoy the exhilarating feeling of traveling through the sea, while also expanding their imaginations even further.

Let’s invite that girl and go to the beach.Sakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako

Let's invite that kid and go to the sea – with subtitled lyrics [UtaSuki Video] Okaasan to Issho

It’s a song that makes your heart dance, like setting off on an adventure to the sea with friends.

The lyrics are wonderfully charming, expanding children’s rich imaginations with images of daydreaming about mermaids and pretending to be pirates! This piece was performed on NHK E-Tele’s “Okaasan to Issho,” with the audio released in March 2015, and it’s also included on the album “NHK Okaasan to Issho Special Stage: Welcome to the Midsummer Party.” With its light, danceable rhythm, it might be perfect for lively playtime where kids can move their bodies energetically with their friends.

Spotted garden eel!!Ryūzō Fukuda · Kazuto Ozawa

Garden Eels!! / Ryuzo Fukuda & Kazuto Ozawa (Featuring: Ryuzo Fukuda & Chisato Kawasaki)

It’s a fun exercise song that lets you pretend to be that unique creature popping its head out of the ocean sand.

I’ve heard it’s popular at preschools as a “warm-up dance.” The track was created by the unit of Ryuzo Fukuda, Kazuto Ozawa, and Skanpo, and was included on the album “Marutto Minna no Asobiuta,” released in July 2019.

With simple choreography that gently sways the body, it can help loosen children up while building their excitement for the activities to come.

Hey! SeaSakushi: Yamakawa Keisuke / Sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naosumi

[Summer Song] Hey, Sea! (Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa / Music: Naosumi Yamamoto) / Tokyo University of the Arts–graduate sister duo AINANA / AINANA Calendar 2023

When you think of summer, many of you probably picture the blue ocean.

In times like that, we recommend this song, “Hey! Ocean,” which lets you feel the sea’s vastness and beauty, as well as the gentleness and power of nature.

The lyrics are charming, as if you’re really speaking to the ocean, making it perfect to sing with energetic children full of summer spirit.

Move your body to the bright, free-flowing melody and rhythm, and you’ll likely feel your spirits lift! Try singing from your diaphragm, imagining your voice carrying far into the distance.

KokomiEVE

Shinkai – Eve MV

Eve is known for her gentle, memorable voice.

She doesn’t show her face in the media, giving her a mysterious aura, yet her refreshing tracks and moving ballads are also very popular.

The song “Shinkai” (Heart Sea) pairs the depths and chill of the unexplored deep sea with the depths and coldness of the human heart.

How can one connect with a heart as dark and cold as the deep sea—and with one’s own heart? Even amid uncertainties, the protagonist seeks out a glimmer of hope.

The lyrics portray that figure, sung over a breezy, ocean-like melody.