Popular Song Rankings of Monbusho Shoka [2026]

Foal’s Rhythm PlayMonbushō shōka15rank/position

A nursery teacher plays the piano for the rhythm activity “Little Foal”! Sheet music included

This children’s song, which depicts a lively foal moving forward to the chant “Hai-shii, hai-shii,” was included in the Ministry of Education’s Shoka for the Elementary School Reader, edited in July 1910 (Meiji 43).

Its hallmark is the way it expresses the foal’s hoofbeats—pressing on along mountain paths and up steep slopes—through an even beat and rhythm.

Today it is used in early childhood education and eurhythmics as a “rhythm play” activity, ideal for children to walk, run, and stop in time with the piano.

Because changes in pitch and tempo can be expressed through body movement, it’s perfect for group movement play and parent–child bonding time.

By imitating a horse’s gait, it offers a fun way to foster a sense of rhythm.

koinobori (carp streamers)Monbushō shōka16rank/position

Koinobori | With Lyrics | Waves of roof tiles and waves of clouds

Beloved as a Ministry of Education shoka (school song), this piece gracefully expresses both the grandeur of the carp streamers displayed for the Boys’ Festival (Tango no Sekku) and the wish for children’s happy growth.

Included in the 1913 publication “Jinjō Shōgaku Shōka, Grade Five,” the song, set in F major, harmonizes a powerful melody with a refined sense of the season.

It continues to be cherished and sung by contemporary musicians, including arrangements by Kiyoe Yoshioka.

Its cheerful atmosphere and warm, seasonable tone make it perfect for older adults who want to enjoy a pleasant springtime moment.

It can also be a cue to hum along with grandchildren or to fondly recall days gone by.

Morning on the RanchSakushi: Monbushō shōka / Sakkyoku: Funahashi Eikichi17rank/position

Morning on the Ranch — Masako Saito

The song “Bokujō no Asa” (“Morning on the Ranch”) evokes a refreshing summer morning.

It was modeled on a ranch in Fukushima Prefecture and has even become the town song of Kagamiishi, where the ranch is located.

First released in 1932, it was later broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1968.

True to its title, the lyrics depict the morning ranch scenery so vividly that you feel as if you’re standing there yourself.

Even though summer mornings can often be hot, it might be nice to feel a refreshing summer morning through this song.

For children, it can also be a chance to imagine what a ranch is like.

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snailMonbushō shōka18rank/position

Snail (with hand motions)

This song speaks to a small creature carrying its shell that you might spot in the garden after the rain.

Many people probably find themselves humming it around Children’s Day or during the rainy season.

Though it’s often thought of as relaxed, it’s actually set at a lively tempo of quarter note = 96.

Included in Elementary School Songs (Volume 1), published in 1911 (Meiji 44), it was reportedly created to foster children’s affection for nature at the time.

Its humorous lyrics—calling for the creature to stick out its horns and spear—remain widely loved more than a century later in schools and children’s programs.

If you come across one while playing outside, it could be fun to sing the song and observe it together with your child!

Octopus SongMonbushō shōka19rank/position

Octopus Song (♪ Kite, kite, fly high ~) by Himawari 🌻 with Lyrics [One Hundred Selected Japanese Songs]

When New Year’s comes around, many of us may remember gazing up at kites soaring high in the sky.

Published in school textbooks in 1910 as a Ministry of Education song, this piece lists neither lyricist nor composer.

In simple, child-friendly language, it depicts a kite catching the wind and rising to the clouds, to the very heavens, as well as the playful scene of guiding it by pulling and loosening the string.

Despite its simple melody, the composition naturally conveys the lively sense of the kite climbing into the sky.

Humming it together at a New Year’s gathering will bring back memories of nostalgic winter days and make for a heartwarming moment.

pigeonMonbushō shōka20rank/position

Pigeons (Hatopoppo) ♪ Coo, coo, coo, pigeons, coo, coo—do you want some beans? Ministry of Education school song – Pigeons

With lyrics so memorable that seeing pigeons in the city makes you want to burst into the “coo-coo-coo” song, this “Hato” is a traditional children’s song first published in 1911 and is still loved across generations today.

Its melody is easy for even small children to sing.

YukiMonbushō shōka21rank/position

Ministry of Education Song: Snow

The history of this song is very old, and some of you may be surprised to learn that it is actually a song from nearly a hundred years ago.

The lyrics of Yuki ya Konko, which make you want to sing along the moment it starts snowing, are especially memorable in this children’s song.

Singing this song makes the winter scenery even more enjoyable.