Classic and standard Japanese songs celebrating mochi pounding
When you think of New Year’s or the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, some people might picture mochi.
During the New Year, many households display kagami-mochi and have plenty of chances to eat mochi, and around moon-viewing season, there’s even the saying that rabbits are pounding mochi on the moon.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of songs related to mochi! From songs that sing about mochi, to hand-play songs themed around mochi pounding, and even folk songs about mochi that have long been rooted in local regions—we’ll cover it all.
Take this opportunity to give them a listen.
Top 10 classic and standard Japanese songs about mochi pounding (1–10)
Gohei Mochi of Yoki from HidaMizutani Chieko
Released in November 2017, this song features a character named Yokichi, who goes around selling gohei-mochi, a specialty of the Hida region.
Yoshiki Mizuno of Ikimonogakari composed the music, with lyrics by Takeshi Kura.
The song portrays the sweetness and hardships of life by comparing them to ingredients like soy sauce, miso, walnuts, and sesame.
It also stands out for its structure, which blends catchy calls with an approachable melody—quintessential Mizutani, who aims to bridge enka and pop.
Be sure to savor its humor-filled lyrical world.
77% through AMPTAK x Rainbow RoadAMPTAKxCOLORS
This pop tune, produced by Hyadain, comes from AMPTAKxCOLORS’ first full-length album, “AMPTAKx Rainbow Road at 77%,” released in April 2025.
The song unfolds a grand, space-travel-themed world, depicting an adventure that breaks free from the stifling routines of everyday life to build a rainbow.
It’s a very lively number, and we hope you’ll pay attention to its highly entertaining sound and melodies as well.
Laughing out loud to the festival musicKingu Kurīmusōda
This high-energy song amps up the excitement of New Year’s and festival celebrations.
Sung by King Cream Soda, it was released in October 2014 as a double A-side single and was used as the opening theme for the anime Yo-kai Watch and as the theme song for the video games Yo-kai Watch 2: Ganso/Honke.
It’s a track where festive vibes and modern pop sound blend beautifully, featuring a unique structure that mixes rock, hip-hop, and folk-style melodic phrasing.
New Year’s gift (money given to children)yunikōn
A Unicorn track that gently captures the New Year’s excitement.
It was included as the B-side to the single “Yuki ga Furu Machi,” released in December 1992, and its warm melody—imbued with a prayer for the new year—strikingly contrasts with the A-side’s year-end scenes.
The lyrics tenderly convey the New Year’s distinctive sacred atmosphere and the wish for a good year, evoking peaceful year-end and New Year imagery.
The refreshing arrangement, featuring a variety of instruments like accordion and banjo, feels wonderfully pleasant.
Club Moonfemme fatale
A dance tune brimming with speed and euphoria by the real-life sister duo femme fatale.
Composed by Hidefumi Kenmochi of Wednesday Campanella, the track was released digitally in September 2021 and followed by the single “Club Moon / Cupid” in October of the same year.
The lyrics are dotted with motifs like the lunar surface, clubs, and mirror balls, depicting a festival-like world unfolding in outer space.
Its electropop sound carries an experimental edge that goes beyond the boundaries of idol music.
If you love club music, be sure to check it out!
Homesick Snow CountryChiba Genta
This song, released in December 2018 by enka singer Genta Chiba, is the concluding piece of his trilogy about longing for home.
The lyrics are by Yukio Chiba, the music by Hajime Miyasako, and the arrangement by Masakane Tsuta.
It warmly portrays the hearth shared with mother and siblings in a northern hometown, along with the comforting flavors of aunkoro mochi (sweet red bean rice cakes), miso soup, and nikorogashi (simmered potatoes).
The track is also included on the January 2021 album ‘Kansha no Wadachi’ (Tracks of Gratitude).
It’s a must-listen for anyone who cherishes memories of family and a deep affection for their hometown.
Bread PandaYokoyama Yuu/Maruyama Ryuhei (Kanjani Eight)
An adorable song set in a fantastical world where twin pandas go on a journey in search of food.
It’s a unit song by Hiroshi Yokoyama and Ryuhei Maruyama, included on the regular edition of the album “FIGHT,” released in November 2011.
Lyrics by AMO and composition by Hidenori Tanaka.
The pop, light melody and gentle harmonies are soothing, and just listening to it will warm your heart.
Recommended for those looking for a song to enjoy with children!