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.
Playlist
| Popular Song Rankings of Monbusho Shoka [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | snowMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A classic winter tune, a masterpiece that paints a snowy landscape |
| 2 | winter sceneryMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The Natural and Scenic Beauty in the Taishō-era Song 'Winter Scenery' |
| 3 | Tea PickingMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | “Chatsumi” is a familiar children's song characterized by poetic lyrics. |
| 4 | Spring StreamMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A beautiful school song depicting the spring scenery of one’s hometown |
| 5 | We are children of the sea.Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Ware wa Umi no Ko is a masterpiece of a hundred years |
| 6 | The sound of insectsMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A lyrical scene played by the sounds of autumn insects |
| 7 | seaMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A famous Ministry of Education school song that praises the beauty of the sea |
| 8 | Winter nightMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A warm time spent with family on a snowy night |
| 9 | MoonMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A nostalgic song praising the beauty of the full moon |
| 10 | Voices of InsectsMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The song of autumn insects has been sung for over 100 years. |
| 11 | Winter nightSakushi sakkyoku: Monbushō shōka | play_arrow | The charm of songs that evoke the warmth of family |
| 12 | Octopus SongMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Let's enjoy kite flying at the New Year's party |
| 13 | Mount FujiMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Introducing the charm of famous songs themed around Mount Fuji |
| 14 | Foal’s Rhythm PlayMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A playful rhythmic chant that expresses the hoofbeats of a foal |
| 15 | Spring has come.Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A heartwarming Ministry of Education shoka depicting the arrival of spring |
| 16 | koinobori (carp streamers)Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Koinobori, a song wishing for children's growth |
| 17 | Morning on the RanchSakushi: Monbushō shōka / Sakkyoku: Funahashi Eikichi |  | A summer morning song modeled on a ranch in Fukushima Prefecture |
| 18 | Octopus SongMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Flying kites at New Year’s—nostalgic memories |
| 19 | pigeonMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The old children's song “Hato” is still a beloved song today. |
| 20 | YukiMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | An old nursery rhyme makes winter fun |
| 21 | I found the first starMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A poetically rich song as we gaze up at the starry sky |
| 22 | Koi in the pondMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Koinobori: a tranquil song that soothes the heart |
| 23 | tea pickingMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Nostalgic tea-picking song, the joy of music |
| 24 | Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival / Girls’ Day)Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A song introducing Hinamatsuri decorations and dolls |
| 25 | rabbitMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The Charm of a Children's Song about the Harvest Moon |
| 26 | snailMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The Charm of the Snail Song and Its Cross-Generational Love |
| 27 | carp streamerMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | As May approaches, you can hear the children’s song in various places… |
| 28 | black kiteMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A nursery rhyme that depicts the cry of a black kite |
| 29 | Come, fireflyMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Light of the Fireflies, a summer children's song |
| 30 | Bean-throwing (Mamemaki)Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Call in good fortune with the Setsubun bean-throwing song |
| 31 | skiingMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A refreshing scene of skiing in the snowy winter mountains |
| 32 | We Look Up to You with RespectMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A song for singing with Japanese lyrics set to a Western melody |
| 33 | Daikoku-samaMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Daikoku-sama is a traditional folk song that suits the New Year, with a heartwarming melody. |
| 34 | Moon (The moon has come out, the moon has come out)Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A well-loved children's song that sings about the moon rising |
| 35 | moon; monthMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A nostalgic children's song, 'Tsuki' (Moon), perfect for moon viewing |
| 36 | village festivalMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Autumn village festival: preserving traditional folk songs |
| 37 | scarecrowMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A song from the Meiji era themed around a scarecrow |
| 38 | Plum blossoms and nightingalesMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Plum blossoms with a bush warbler—the scene from a Ministry of Education school song. |
| 39 | Snowball fightMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A fun nursery rhyme depicting children having a snowball fight. |
| 40 | My shoes are squeaking.Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | Monbushō shōka depict children's play and nature. |
| 41 | Doll Festival (Hinamatsuri/Girls’ Day)Monbushō shōka |  play_arrow | The cheerfulness and lyrical accuracy of the Hinamatsuri song |
| 42 | Close It, Open ItMonbushō shōka |  play_arrow | A foreign piece by Rousseau turned into a Japanese children's song |