Popular Song Rankings of Monbusho Shoka [2026]
It seems that “Monbushō shōka” refers to the collective name for songs included in elementary school music textbooks compiled by the Ministry of Education from the Meiji era through the Showa era.
They’re all famous tunes that everyone has hummed at some point, and some people might be surprised to find, “Wait, this song is a Monbushō shōka too?”
Many of these pieces will probably feel fresh and new to those born in the Heisei era.
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Popular Ranking of Monbushō Shōka Songs [2026] (21–30)
YukiMonbushō shōka21rank/position
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.
I found the first starMonbushō shōka22rank/position
At dusk, everyone has likely had the experience of looking up at the sky to find the first shining star.
Published in 1932 in the Ministry of Education’s elementary school music textbook, this piece simply depicts, from a young child’s perspective, stars glittering above familiar trees such as cedars, willows, and pines.
Its folk-song-like melody is charmingly easy to hum for anyone.
A monument to the song stands at the Akashi Municipal Planetarium, and it continues to be sung today as a work symbolizing the culture of gazing up at the starry sky.
Why not sing it together with someone dear to you while searching for the evening star?
Koi in the pondMonbushō shōka23rank/position
This is a Ministry of Education school song that can be enjoyed while picturing the refreshing scenery of the season.
The gentle way it addresses the carp swimming in the pond brings a sense of calm and warmth.
Included in May 1911 in “Elementary School Songs for the First Grade,” this piece has been loved for many years for its bright, friendly melody and soothing lyrics.
It has appeared in music textbooks and has been passed down through school education.
It will surely resonate in your heart along with nostalgic memories.
Singing it with older adults may revive happy memories from the past and naturally spark conversation.
It’s an ideal song for music activities in care facilities.
tea pickingMonbushō shōka24rank/position
This piece from the Ministry of Education’s song collection—also widely loved as a hand-play song—features an easy-to-remember, simple melody and rhythm, making it perfect for beginners just starting piano! Since it was included in an elementary school textbook published in March 1912, this song has continued to depict the tea-picking scenes of the 88th night of spring, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” With a narrow vocal range and minimal finger movement, it’s ideal not only as a practice piece for small children, but also for adult learners who want to enjoy performing while feeling Japan’s beautiful changing seasons.
Experiencing the joy of playing this nostalgic melody—one that everyone has heard at least once—will surely boost your motivation for daily practice!
snailSakushi sakkyoku: Monbushō shōka25rank/position
The Elementary School Songs compiled by the then Ministry of Education in 1911.
Until then, translated songs had often been used, but from this time on, melodies and lyrics uniquely Japanese, composed by Japanese composers, began to be adopted.
Well-known masterpieces still familiar today—such as Hatopoppo (Pigeon), Momotarō, and Autumn Foliage—are among them.
The snail is also called denden-mushi, a name said to derive from the classical kyōgen play Kagyu (The Snail), which features a snail as its motif.
With its repetitive rhythm and lyrics, it’s a fun song—so sing it with your child and brighten up even rainy days!
rabbitMonbushō shōka26rank/position
A song from the Ministry of Education’s collection that sings of rabbits hopping as they gaze up at the harvest moon.
Since its inclusion in Elementary School Songs, Volume 2 in 1892, it has been cherished by many as a children’s song.
It is characterized by short phrases that convey the atmosphere of moon-viewing culture, and despite its simplicity, it features a melody that lingers in the heart.
This piece is also used as a practice tune for shamisen and koto, and has been recorded in various arrangements, such as King Records’ collection of seasonal school songs and Teichiku’s album “Heart and Mind: The Breeze of Ryukyu Played on the Sanshin.” On long autumn nights, why not line up some dumplings, gaze at the moon, and hum along? The melody is easy to remember, so you can enjoy singing it together with everyone.
carp streamerMonbushō shōka27rank/position
As May approaches, you can hear the children’s song “Koinobori” in many places.
It was a set piece for the 2017 Nursery Teacher Examination.
Since the song depicts carp streamers swimming leisurely in the sky, you’ll want your singing and playing to have a relaxed feel as well! The melody stays within a single octave and there are few chord changes, so with an easy arrangement, even those who feel unsure about piano performance should be able to tackle it without difficulty.
If you’re looking to strengthen your singing-and-playing practice, why not start by trying a simple arrangement of “Koinobori”?
black kiteMonbushō shōka28rank/position
This children’s song, which begins with the opening line “Tobe tobe tonbi,” is likely familiar to many who remember learning it in music class.
The “pii-hyoro” cry of the black kite in the lyrics vividly conveys the lively image of the bird.
Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri/Girls’ Day)Monbushō shōka29rank/position
While the so-called “yo-na-nuki” pentatonic scale-based ‘Ureshii Hinamatsuri’ has a somewhat wistful melody, this ‘Hinamatsuri’ features a bright tone that lets you easily imagine children singing joyfully—a hallmark of a Hinamatsuri song.
It’s not a widely known piece, and many readers may be learning of its existence for the first time through this article.
It’s well known that the lyrics of ‘Ureshii Hinamatsuri’ were written with a mistaken understanding of the ‘O-dairi-sama,’ but please also note that the ‘Hinamatsuri’ discussed here follows the arrangement of the traditional hina display in its lyrics.
Come, fireflyMonbushō shōka30rank/position
A classic song from the Ministry of Education’s songbook, long cherished as a children’s tune for luring gently glowing insects on summer nights.
Ever since it appeared in the March 1941 textbook “Utanohon, Volume 1,” it has been passed down across generations.
Its hallmark features are the repeated, call-and-response-like short phrases and the nostalgic sound of the Japanese pentatonic scale—making it a delightfully approachable piece even for those just starting piano.
Because the melody uses few notes and is easy to memorize, it’s simple to focus on finger movement, making it perfect as a first step into two-handed playing.
Once you’re comfortable, try performing it in a round, with the right and left hands chasing the melody in turn.
Picture a cool, serene scene and play with a gentle touch.