Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song

Niigata Prefecture is known for hosting traditional Bon dances and festivals, as well as for its large area of rice cultivation and high yields.

We’ve selected many folk songs and children’s songs related to Niigata, including pieces themed around Sado Island.

Folk songs, which are often performed at festivals, convey a lively, festive atmosphere through their rhythmic sounds.

It’s also recommended to explore the background behind songs like “Sado Okesa,” which are beloved across Japan.

Be sure to listen to the folk and children’s songs that showcase the charm of each region of Niigata.

Playlist

Niigata’s folk songs, children’s songs, and nursery rhymes: the heart of our hometown passed down in song
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Teradomari O-kesaFujinoi Tsukiko		Teradomari O-Kesa, a traditional Niigata masterpiece
2	Tokamachi Kouta (Tokamachi Folk Song)		Tokamachi Kouta is a folk song that sings of Niigata’s charms.
3	Echigo OiwakeSuzuki Setsumi		Expressing the atmosphere of Niigata through Echigo Oiwake
4	Kasugayama-bushiSuzuki Masao		Birth of Niigata’s New Folk Song “Kasugayama-bushi”
5	Summer has comeKoyama Sakunosuke		Introduction to the composer of 'Natsu wa Kinu' and its background
6	Ryōtsu Jinku		Ryōtsu Jinku, a Bon Dance folk song of Sado Island
7	Niitsu Matsuzaka		Introducing Matsusaka, a traditional folk song of Niigata Prefecture
8	Yoneyama Jinku		The Yoneyama Jinku is a folk song from Niigata and is still loved today.
9	Echigo Funakata-bushi		Echigo Funakata-bushi expresses Niigata’s culture and nostalgia through sound.
10	Niitsu in Four SeasonsShimakura Chiyoko		A beautiful song by Chiyoko Shimakura that depicts the culture of Niigata
11	Sado OkesaMurata Bunzō		Sado Okesa originated from the Haiya-bushi
12	Song of the Third-Floor (Sankai-bushi)Murakami-ke shimeka		The Origin and Transformation of the Sankai-bushi, a Bon Dance Song from Kashiwazaki
13	Nanaura Jinku		Folk songs that sing of Sado’s nature and way of life
14	Izumozaki O-kesa		A courtesans’ folk song sung at the port of Izumozaki
15	Niigata Funakata-bushi		Niigata Funakata-bushi handed down by crewmen of the Kitamaebune (northern sea route) ships
16	Aikawa Ondo		A folk song to console the gold mine magistrate of Sado
17	Echigo ZesshōMitsubishi Michiya		Echigo Zesshō is Michiya Mihashi’s 30th anniversary commemorative song.
18	Hane OkesaKizu Kaori		Kaori Kizu conveys the spirit of Niigata through folk songs
19	Hymn to the Snowy MountainsNishibori Eizaburō		A parody song originating from Sasagamine is inscribed on a song monument.
20	Nagaoka JinkuItō Kaduko		Nagaoka Jinku is a flamboyant performing style danced in the summer.
21	Echigo LullabyKozuki Makiko		"Echigo Lullaby" is a folk song from Niigata Prefecture that depicts the hardships of childcare.
22	Iwamuro JinkuHatsue Tsuya		Geisha of Iwamuro composed jinku songs through shamisen ingenuity
23	Niigata KoutaSoga Naoko		Niigata Kouta was born from a poem by Hakushu Kitahara.
24	How Many Moons?Michiko Dan, Shigeko Tosaka		A lullaby that is a playful song from Shiozawa Town
25	Kashiwazaki OkezaIzumi Maki		Kashiwazaki Oke-sa is a folk song of Echigo characterized by local pride and the shamisen.
26	sand hillTokukura Sadako		A children's song inspired by the scenery of Niigata
27	Sado JinkuKondō Yōko		Characterized by repeated lower phrases in drinking party songs
28	Kamo MatsuzakaNakazawa Ginji		Processional-style Bon Odori song of Kamo City
29	Sanjo Kite Festival Music		The kite-fighting tradition in Sanjo City that has continued since the Edo period
30	Oni Daiko of Sado		Sado’s Ondeko is a traditional performing art accompanied by Noh dance.
31	Osaka		"Ōno Saka," a bon odori song from Niigata
32	Echigo-MatsuzakaFutabaya Itoko		Echigo Matsuzaka is a celebratory song from Niigata that was spread nationwide by blind traveling entertainers.
33	Barrel beatingShin Ushizakiya Misao		Niigata Jinku “Tarudataki” is a Bon dance song performed by geisha who sing while beating a sake barrel.
34	Come, springSōma Gofu, Hirota Ryūtarō		“Haru yo koi” is a work by Gofu Soma and Ryutaro Hirota.
35	Bridal DollFukiya Kōji		A children’s song with lyrics by Koji Fukuya and music by Haseo Sugiyama.
36	Ogi Okesa		A folk song passed down from the port of Sado
37	Plover on the BeachFORESTA		Hamachidori is a song born from a walk in Kashiwazaki.
38	trainŌwada Aira		About Aira Owada’s children’s song “Kisha” (Train)