Popular Song Rankings of Monbusho Shoka [2026]

Moon (The moon has come out, the moon has come out)Monbushō shōka36rank/position

Tsuki (♪ Deta deta tsuki ga~) by Himawari 🌻 With Lyrics | Full Moon

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?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

moon; monthMonbushō shōka37rank/position

Children’s Song: The Moon

The famous children’s song “Tsuki” (Moon), still sung today in childcare settings and at moon-viewing events, is a Ministry of Education school song that appeared in the 1911 publication “Elementary School Songs.” It describes gazing at the moon and the way it slips behind clouds and reappears, making it a perfect piece for tsukimi (moon viewing).

If you’re planning a moon-viewing gathering in September, why not sing this song together? It’s a very short, slow tune, so even children can easily learn and sing it.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

village festivalMonbushō shōka38rank/position

Village Festival (♪ The village guardian deity of the shrine ~) by Himawari 🌻 [100 Best Japanese Songs] with Lyrics Before and After Changes | Ministry of Education Shoka | Mura Matsuri

This piece, which portrays the joy of a village festival celebrating a bountiful autumn harvest, is loved by people of all ages, from children to adults.

The lyrics that depict the sounds of flutes and drums as “don-don hyarara” leave a strong impression.

Since it was included in an elementary school textbook in 1912, the lyrics have gradually changed over time, but it continues to be sung today as an important song that conveys Japanese traditions and culture.

When singing with older adults, it’s also recommended to clap along or move your body in time with the lyrics.

It seems like a fun way to exercise while reminiscing about the past.

scarecrowMonbushō shōka39rank/position

scarecrow

It seems that this song is actually a Ministry of Education school song published in 1911 (Meiji 44) in the Elementary School Songbook for the second grade.

The theme of the song is the scarecrow used to drive away pests like crows from rice fields and vegetable patches.

Thanks to this song, there are probably quite a few people named Yamada who ended up with the nickname “Scarecrow.” These days, there may even be children who don’t know what a scarecrow is.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Plum blossoms and nightingalesMonbushō shōka40rank/position

plum blossoms and nightingales

Here is a Ministry of Education song that was published in 1911 for the second grade of elementary school.

It’s a cute and simple piece depicting a bush warbler coming to the plum tree in the garden.

Speaking of plums and bush warblers, you might recall the motif from hanafuda playing cards.

By the way, while plum blossoms and bush warblers often appear together as a metaphor for things that go well together, the “bush warbler” in this context is actually a Japanese white-eye.

It isn’t green, but rather a brownish or grayish color.

Knowing this little bit of trivia can make listening to the song even more enjoyable.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

Report a problem

Urashima TaroMonbushō shōka41rank/position

Urashima Tarō – Urashima Tarō <with choreography> [Japanese Songs / Shōka]

This is a Ministry of Education school song based on a folktale everyone knows—so catchy you’ll find yourself humming along.

Guided by the turtle he rescued, the hero sets off for the Dragon Palace under the sea, and the wondrous journey is portrayed to a friendly melody, all the way to the moment he opens the jeweled treasure box.

Published in June 1911 in the second-year volume of the textbook ‘Standard Elementary School Songs,’ this piece has been sung for over a century since the end of the Meiji era.

It spread nationwide through school lessons and has a history of deep ties to education, even being used as an interlude song in school plays.

The lyrics follow the story so clearly that vivid scenes come to mind, and singing it with your child will draw you both into the world of the folktale.

On Children’s Day, why not spend some cozy family time with this song, beloved across generations?

Snowball fightMonbushō shōka42rank/position

Snowball Fight - Ministry of Education Song

This is a nursery song themed around the ever-popular traditional winter play: snowball fights.

It depicts children splitting into teams and throwing snow under a clear blue sky.

Because many lines repeat the same melody, it’s easy to memorize even for those who aren’t confident singers.

You’ll likely relate to the lyrics that capture that familiar moment when you suddenly find yourself getting seriously into the snowball fight.

It’s also recommended for February snow play, sports, and recreation.

Try singing it to a melody line that carries a touch of nostalgia.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

mutō

Report a problem