Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs to enjoy in May! Songs perfect for the fresh green season

Song of a little birdsakushi: Yoda Jun’ichi / sakkyoku: Akutagawa Yasushi

♪ Little Bird Song (with hand motions)

This charming children’s song features a bright, light melody and adorable onomatopoeia that evokes birds chirping.

Depicting a little bird gently calling for its mother and father, it was released in 1954, and its tender lyrics expressing love for parents have warmed hearts across generations.

Many people likely sang it in nursery school or kindergarten when they were young.

In educational settings, it is often sung during May’s Bird Week.

It’s a perfect song for families to enjoy together with hand-play actions.

The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms BloomSakushi: Katō Shōgo / Sakkyoku: Kainuma Minoru

Nono-chan (Murakata Nonoka) 'The Hill Where the Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom' MV

This beautiful children’s song, born in August 1946 shortly after the war, vividly depicts fresh scenes of nature and a poignant longing for a mother.

Hastily created the day before its NHK radio broadcast, the piece gently sings of a child’s pure feelings and warm love for their mother through the view from a seaside hill.

The depiction of a ship fading in the distance conveys a sense of unreachable loneliness, stirring a deeply moving emotion.

In 2003 it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Shin: Ten Made Todoke,” and in 1991 it was also featured in a Recruit commercial.

Embraced by warm light, this soothing song will continue to comfort and stay close to many hearts.

rainbowSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

Niji – Colorful Palette [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] (Hirotaka Nakagawa / Toshihiko Shinzawa)

A gem of a song by Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa, it gently sings of hopeful expectations for tomorrow, themed around meeting a seven-colored rainbow in the garden after the rain.

Since its release in 1990, it has been loved by many for its lyrics that depict small everyday joys and its warm melody.

In 2020, it was featured as the commercial song for Kao’s “Attack ZERO,” revealing new charm alongside striking visuals starring Tori Matsuzaka and others.

It’s a tune you’ll want the whole family to hum together, especially when you’re feeling down.

soap bubbleSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

Soap Bubbles – Soap bubbles flew, they flew up to the roof ~ [Japanese song/children’s song]

A classic adorned with a gentle melody that resonates in children’s hearts and lyrics that are fragile yet beautiful.

Created hand in hand by Ujo Noguchi and Shinpei Nakayama, this work left a profound mark on the history of Japanese children’s songs and continues to be loved by many today.

In a 2003 survey conducted by the NPO “Japan Doyo Association,” it was ranked ninth among favorite children’s songs and was also selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Songs of Japan.” At Yumoto Station in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, it is even used as the departure melody.

Why not enjoy a hand-play game while singing it with your child on Children’s Day? You’re sure to have a heartwarming time.

Dog PolicemanSakushi: Satō Yoshimi / Sakkyoku: Ōnaka Megumi

Japanese Children’s Song – Nursery Rhyme – The Dog Policeman – Inu no Omawari-san

The children’s song “The Policeman Dog” tells the story of a dog who becomes a policeman and a cat who gets lost.

Often sung on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho,” it’s a tune well-known among children.

The lost cat goes to the dog policeman for help, but only cries and can’t provide any information.

In the end, even the dog policeman is at a loss and starts crying too—a comical storyline.

May brings warmer weather and more activity, so be careful not to get lost!

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Toy Cha-Cha-ChaSakushi: Nosaka Akiyuki / Sakkyoku: Koshibe Nobuyoshi

“Toy Cha-Cha-Cha” (with choreography) [Japanese song / shoka]

When it comes to things kids absolutely love, toys are at the top of the list! On Children’s Day, many children probably get their favorite toys as gifts.

Here’s a perfect toy-themed song for such a day! Interestingly, it wasn’t originally a children’s song, and the lyrics were different from what they are now.

It was later remade as a nursery rhyme, and that’s the version still sung today.

There’s also an English version called “Toys Dance The Cha Cha Cha,” so curious kids can give it a listen and practice their English at the same time!

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koinobori (carp streamers)sakushi: fushō / sakkyoku: Hirota Ryūtarō

Koinobori (On the Rooftops...) — Suginami Children’s Choir

Koinobori are carp streamers that symbolize Children’s Day in May.

Among the songs about koinobori is “Koinobori,” composed by Ryutaro Hirota.

It’s a different koinobori song from “Koinobori” that sings of parent and child carp swimming in the sky.

Although the lyrics use slightly difficult words, the content itself portrays the features of carp streamers swimming through the sky and the surrounding scenery.

From their wide-open mouths to their gently swaying tail fins, the lyrics depict their splendid traits and convey the strength and bravery of koinobori that won’t be defeated by strong winds or even great waterfalls.

Be sure to sing this “Koinobori” as well on Children’s Day!

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