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 (31–40)
School of MedakaSakushi: Chaki Shigeru / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao36rank/position
Spring is the season when living creatures become more active.
With that in mind, how about “Medaka no Gakkō” (“The Medaka’s School”)? Many of you probably sang and enjoyed it as children.
First broadcast on an NHK radio program in 1951, it gradually came to be sung across Japan and, within a few years, became firmly established.
In 2007, it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Songs.
Listening to it conjures up images of medaka fish swimming in clear water and puts you in a peaceful mood.
It’s perfect for when you want to spend a laid-back, carefree moment.
Donguri Korokorosakushi: Aoki Tsuneyoshi / sakkyoku: Yanagida Tadashi37rank/position
The children’s song “Donguri Korokoro” sings about the grand adventure of acorns that you often see on roads and in parks in autumn.
An acorn rolls along, falls into a pond, meets a loach, and they play together.
As they play, the acorn becomes homesick, and in the end it bursts into tears—this is how the lyrics portray the story.
The lyrics feel like reading a picture book, so the more you listen, the more it may spark your child’s interest.
If you add a hand-play routine to match the lyrics, your child will enjoy listening even more.
Tea PickingMonbushō shōka38rank/position
With its familiar and pleasant melody, “Chatsumi” (The Tea Picking Song) is a children’s song that naturally makes you want to hum along.
Even if the title doesn’t ring a bell, you’ll surely recognize it once you hear the tune! Although it’s a famous song, some people may not be sure of the lyrics when they try to sing it.
The song is written with beautifully refined Japanese language and sound, making it highly poetic, so this is a great chance to take a look at the lyrics and savor them!
Milk MunariHii de Katsu39rank/position
Milk Munari is a captivating track by Okinawan musician Hidekatsu, released in 1993, known for its addictive rhythm.
Rather than being a traditional Eisa song passed down through generations, it belongs to a later, intentionally composed style known as “creative Eisa.” Notably, the lyrics are sung in the Yaeyama dialect by Hidekatsu, who hails from Taketomi Island.
The dialect’s distinctive sound is so unique that even people from Okinawa’s main island often can’t understand it.
Give the song a listen with an ear for the remarkable Yaeyama dialect!
spool (of thread); winding thread; Itomaki (traditional toy spinning top), depending on context40rank/position
It’s a simple hand-play song with easy actions like twirling both hands and tapping lightly, so even small children can imitate it.
You can enjoy the excitement of creating cute items in time with the music.
Based on a Danish nursery rhyme, this piece was created by Yoshiko Kayama and Akihiro Komori.
It was released as a record in July 1983.
It was even used as material for Ken Shimura’s gags.
Have fun playing together as a parent and child while expanding your imagination!
Popular Folk Song Rankings (41–50)
Fruit Train41rank/position
“The Fruit Train” is a song about various fruits riding on a train.
Kids love both trains and fruit, don’t they? The lyrics include not only fruit but also a variety of autumn delicacies, making it a lot of fun to imitate and sing along.
It seems the train runs on fallen leaves as fuel.
It’s a fun way to learn about foods that are in season in autumn!
Meat buns and sweet bean paste buns42rank/position
A hand-clapping song themed around nikuman and anman, classics of the cold season.
Like the widely used standard hand game song “Gu Choki Paa de Nani Tsukurou,” it is based on the French folk song “Frère Jacques,” making it easy and familiar for both children and nursery teachers to learn.
Because you shape various foods in time with the song, it’s more accessible for younger children compared to “Gu Choki Paa de Nani Tsukurou,” which requires you to come up with ideas yourself.
It’s a simple hand-clapping song that’s perfect for chilly November.
