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.
- [Moon Songs Special] Famous songs about the moon. Songs you’ll want to listen to under a full moon or in the moonlight.
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Songs to listen to under the moon: classic and recommended popular tracks to enjoy the Mid-Autumn full moon
- [Masterpieces Singing the Full Moon] Carefully Selected Popular and Classic Songs Related to the Moon
- Famous songs about the crescent moon. Recommended popular tracks.
- [For Seniors] Autumn Songs That Touch the Heart: From Nostalgic Children’s Songs and School Songs to Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
- A collection of classic nursery rhymes and hand-play songs for September! Enjoy autumn with your child through songs.
- Actually scary nursery rhymes. Children's songs that give you the chills once you understand their meaning
- Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
- Song of the Maple Leaves. An autumn children’s song/nursery rhyme/folk song
- [Childcare] Recommended songs and nursery rhymes for November: Fun autumn fingerplay songs
- Recommended children's songs and hand play songs for October! Music time in childcare that feels like autumn.
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
Nursery rhymes and children's songs about the moon (1–10)
Moon (The moon has come out, the moon has come out)Monbushō shōka
The nursery rhyme “Tsuki” (The Moon), with its familiar opening that everyone recognizes, is well known.
It was included in the “Elementary School Songs” compiled by the Ministry of Education in 1911.
The moon carries a mysterious air and has long been said to influence the human mind, but this song is a pleasant piece that simply describes the round moon rising and then being hidden by clouds.
Beloved by children and adults alike, why not try singing it while gazing at the moon?
A Hazy Moonlit NightSakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi
Oborozukiyo is a song that everyone has heard at least once, whether as a school song or a children’s song.
It was selected as a standard elementary school song in 1914, and later included in sixth-grade music textbooks in 1948, so many people probably sang it in music class.
Its classical-style lyrics enhance the beauty of the Japanese language and vividly evoke the scene of a hazy moonlit night.
When we were in elementary school, we probably sang it without paying much attention to the lyrics, so listening to it again now really resonates with the heart.
I hope not only children but adults as well will give it a listen!
Flower ShadowSakushi: Omura Kazuē / Sakkyoku: Toyota Giichi
The harvest moon appears in this children’s song, Hanakage.
The lyricist, Kanoi Omura, wrote it about his own older sister.
The song sounds like he’s speaking to the harvest moon about the sadness he feels as his beloved sister leaves home to marry far away.
The poignant melody, which further heightens that sense of loneliness, is also striking.
Listen to this song while holding close the feeling of cherishing family who may one day be separated from you.
Harvest MoonSakushi: Noguchi Ujo / Sakkyoku: Motoori Nagayo
A children’s song that sings of the sadly beautiful full moon of the fifteenth night.
Poet Ujō Noguchi and composer Nagayo Motoori created it, and it drew great attention when it was published in the magazine “Kin no Fune,” for which Noguchi served as the first editor-in-chief.
It portrays a family buffeted by the Taisho era: the nanny takes her leave, the younger sister is adopted by relatives, the mother passes away, and the family is torn apart—an aching story that brings tears to the eyes.
It might feel too lonely to listen to on the night of the harvest moon, but do try enjoying this classic children’s song together as a parent and child.
Desert of the MoonSakushi: Katou Masao / Sakkyoku: Sasaki Suguru
It is a classic children’s song for which composer Suguru Sasaki set music to Moon Desert, a work of poetry and illustrations by Masao Kato, who was a painter and poet.
In 1932, Harumi Yanai recorded it, and it has been loved across generations as a children’s song ever since.
The story of a prince and princess riding camels across the desert on a hazy moonlit night is wonderfully romantic, isn’t it? The lyrics that conjure vivid scenes and the beautiful melody are sure to color any moonlit night.
Be sure to listen to it on an evening when a beautiful moon is out.