Ranking of Popular Folk Songs
That nostalgic melody, passed down through generations—the heart of our hometowns.
We’ve researched a wide range of folk songs from past to present, from East to West! In this article, we’ve selected popular tracks based on reliable feedback from music fans who’ve contributed to our site so far.
Among them, we’ll introduce the most acclaimed ones in a ranked format.
Please take a look.
We also researched children’s songs like nursery rhymes and lullabies, as well as work songs and songs for ceremonies and events.
In recent years, new ways of listening to folk music—championed by acts like Minyo Crusaders and Riyō Sanmyaku—have been attracting a fresh audience.
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Popular Folk Song Rankings (21–30)
Tōfun Doi29rank/position
Tōshin Doi weaves a distinctly Okinawan melody with the rhythmic sounds of the sanshin.
This song is a folk tune handed down since ancient times in Okinawa, and it is such a popular Ryukyuan folk piece that people say your body starts dancing the moment it plays.
The rapid-fire sanshin feels exhilarating, and the song is performed as a celebratory finale in Eisa.
Its lyrics rejoice in and celebrate the arrival of Chinese trade ships—Tōshin—from the Tang lands with which Okinawa once traded, depicting the excitement of the local people at the time.
Even today, it remains a traditional number performed at banquets and festive occasions.
Height comparisonSakushi: Umino Atsushi / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei30rank/position
This is a song with a gentle, nursery-rhyme-like melody that celebrates Children’s Day on May 5.
The lyrics, filled with hope, focus on the marks on a pillar that record a child’s growth and the way their height shoots up—a heartwarming theme.
Checking children’s growth by the notches on the pillar becomes a fond memory when one looks back as an adult.
How about enjoying this special once-a-year day with this song?
Popular Folk Song Rankings (31–40)
Pechka (a type of Russian masonry stove)Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku31rank/position
Pechka, the Russian fireplace and oven.
Watching the fire burn on a cold winter’s day is truly soothing, isn’t it? Here is a song about that pechka.
It was included in the Manchuria Song Collection published in 1924 and was reportedly composed at the request of the South Manchuria Education Association for people emigrating to Manchuria at the time.
Since the winters in Manchuria were said to be very cold, this song must have suited the setting well.
In its final section, although the piece is in a major key, it employs chords from the parallel minor of the same tonic, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
Dango, dango, they stuck together.32rank/position
Autumn is the season of hearty appetites—so many foods taste great right now, don’t they? The song “Dango, Dango Stuck Together” is a fingerplay tune about delicious dango sticking to your head, shoulders, cheeks, and chin and not coming off easily! You use your hand in a fist to pretend it’s a dango, sticking it to different parts of your body as part of the fingerplay.
It’s a fun song where you can even add your own original lyrics.
When you strain with an “Uuun!” trying to pull the dango off, your whole body can’t help but get moving.
Sing it, and you might just find yourself craving some dango!
butterfly33rank/position
We’d like to introduce “Chōchō,” a hand-play song with delightfully gentle, floating hand movements.
Based on a Spanish folk tune and arranged by Akiashi Nomura, this song has long been beloved by many children.
The lyrics depict a butterfly fluttering about, moving from flower to flower.
Matching the words, you form a butterfly shape with both hands to express it dancing.
The mesmerizing motions and soothing melody are sure to comfort babies.
Dragonfly, dragonfly.34rank/position
Among the insects often seen in autumn are dragonflies, and this time I’d like to introduce a children’s song about them.
The song is short and easy to remember! You can just sing it, but you can also move your fingers in little circles as if catching a dragonfly, make big circles with your arms, or even spin your whole body around.
There are no set rules for how to play—feel free to express the dragonfly however you like as you sing.
It’s also fun to use props, like singing while flying a dragonfly made from origami, or slipping a ribbon between a pair of chopsticks to flutter in the wind.
Come, firefly35rank/position
A traditional children’s song that conveys the beauty of Japan’s nature to kids.
It expresses the glow of fireflies dancing in the summer night sky with a gentle melody and catchy calls.
The calls are memorable, and it’s a song that can also be enjoyed as a round.
Perfect for singing together during Bon dances or on cool summer evenings.
Why not spend some time feeling the changing seasons and connecting with the heart of Japan through this song? Singing it with family and friends will make for wonderful summer memories.