Popular Song Rankings of Monbusho Shoka [2026]

moon; monthMonbushō shōka36rank/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.

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sasashina

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village festivalMonbushō shōka37rank/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 shōka38rank/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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Plum blossoms and nightingalesMonbushō shōka39rank/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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Urashima TaroMonbushō shōka40rank/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?