Children’s songs and nursery rhymes about the moon
The moon shining in the dark night is so beautiful, isn’t it?
In Japan, there’s also a tradition of moon-viewing during the Mid-Autumn full moon around September, while eating rice dumplings (dango).
In this article, we’ll introduce children’s songs that feature the beautiful moon.
We’ve gathered a variety of songs—from pieces that seem to express the moon’s beauty just as it is, to songs that spotlight the full moon of the Mid-Autumn night.
How about singing along while enjoying dango during your moon-viewing?
Even if it’s not the Mid-Autumn full moon, it’s nice to take time now and then to gaze at the moon.
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Nursery rhymes and children's songs about the moon (1–10)
Rainy MoonSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei
“Amefuri Otsukisan” (The Moon on a Rainy Night), which depicts a bride riding on horseback in the rain, is said to be based on the scene of lyricist Ujo Noguchi’s own wife’s wedding procession.
In 1929, under the title “Amefuri Otsuki,” singer Chiyako Sato recorded the song, and it went on to become a long-running hit.
Its gentle melody is soothing, and the refined Japanese lyrics truly shine.
Though the moon cannot be seen in the rain, the lyrics brilliantly liken the hidden moon to the bride.
It’s a classic children’s song with beautiful Japanese that we should pass down to future generations.
A bunny goes boing.Sakushi: Noritake Akihiko / Sakkyoku: Ando Takashi
This is a fun traditional children’s song that depicts beloved little bunnies hopping around.
Composed by Akihiko Noritake and Takashi Ando, it features a rhythmic, easy-to-remember melody.
It has long been cherished in preschools and kindergartens and is included in the “200 Selected Masterpieces for Children.” It’s often sung during the moon-viewing season.
Singing it while moving your bodies together with the children makes it even more enjoyable.
It might also be nice to sing while gazing up at the moon and eating dumplings.
It’s the perfect song for enjoying those long autumn evenings.
Good evening, Mr. Moon.
This piece features a gentle melody that even infants can feel familiar with, and its unique lyrics—perfect for play activities and little theater performances—leave a strong impression.
The piano part is easy to play and beautiful, making it ideal not only for nurseries and kindergartens but also for parent-child sing-alongs.
The song depicts a small child gazing at the moon, thinking and chatting, with a heartwarming exchange with a friendly cloud.
With its soul-cleansing quality, this song lets adults return to a childlike state and enjoy a moment of calm.
Children’s songs and nursery rhymes about the moon (11–20)
Shōjōji’s Raccoon Dog Festival MusicSakushi: Noguchi Ujō / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei
Shōjōji no Tanuki-bayashi is known for its cheerful, rhythmic melody.
The lyrics were written by poet Ujō Noguchi, inspired by the legend of the raccoon dog drumming at Shōjōji Temple in Kisarazu, Chiba.
Many people may remember that in the NHK morning drama Come Come Everybody, an English parody version was used as the theme song for a radio English program.
Masashi Sada, who appeared in the show as the radio English teacher, also covered it as “Shōjōji no Tanuki-bayashi ’22 ~ COMECOME EVERYBODY ~,” which I highly recommend.
Enjoy listening to it with your kids!
How many moons are there?warabeuta
The lullaby-style moon song “Otsuki-san Ikutsu” is beloved by many.
Its gentle, unhurried melody is perfect for lulling little ones to sleep and suits a moonlit night where the moon’s light softly shines.
The lyrics begin by asking the moon its age and then unfold into various stories.
The words vary slightly by region; in Yamaguchi Prefecture, for example, it’s sung as “Atosama Nanbo” instead of addressing the moon.
Try looking up the versions from different areas and sing along!
Moon over the Ruined Castlesakushi: doi bansui / sakkyoku: taki rentarō
Many people have heard “Kojo no Tsuki” in music class.
In fact, the Tokyo Music School—later the Faculty of Music at Tokyo University of the Arts—commissioned the poet Doi Banshū to write the lyrics as a submission for a middle school song contest, and Rentarō Taki composed the melody.
It is also a historic piece that first incorporated elements of Western music in Japan.
Even after the age of the samurai came to an end, the moon remained high in the sky, continuing to illuminate ruined castles and the land below—a song that depicts such an era of rise and fall.
The lyrics may seem difficult at first glance, but why not listen while savoring the beautiful, classical Japanese language?
The Moon and the Little BoySakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao
“The Moon and the Little Boy,” which was also sung on NHK Educational TV’s “Okaasan to Issho.” The lyrics were written by Hachiro Sato, with music composed by Yoshinao Nakata.
When you look at the moon, doesn’t it start to look like something? The lyrics humorously compare the moon to an elephant’s eye, a rabbit’s ears, and a pig’s nose.
It’s a gentle song about the kindly moon that always watches over us.
Recommended for singing together while viewing the harvest moon with parent and child, or for group singing at kindergartens and nursery schools.