Rankings of Yoshinao Nakada’s Popular Songs [2026]

waves and seashellsSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao29rank/position

[Children’s Song] Waves and Seashells

Just hearing the title brings to mind the sparkling summer sea—“Waves and Shells,” a children’s song.

The lyrics were written by Mado Michio, the creator of many beloved nursery songs such as “Elephant” and “When I Become a First Grader.” Beaches are scattered with countless shells, aren’t they? Some are spiraled, some are beautifully colored—there are shells of all shapes and hues.

The song begins by wondering how they come to be.

Perhaps they’re formed by the movement of the waves and the play of light—this piece invites you to imagine and enjoy how shells take on their many forms and arrive at the shore.

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SAKI

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Penguin-chanSakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao30rank/position

Penguin-chan

This is a song featuring a penguin with a distinctly cool, refreshing image as the main character.

The tones evoke a sense of chill, and the vocalist’s voice also feels pleasantly cool.

It can be performed with instruments familiar to children, such as the glockenspiel and the guiro, allowing listeners to appreciate the interesting timbres.

It’s the perfect Antarctic “chilly-chill” song for cooling down on hot summer days.

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Murakami Shinpei

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Mother in the EveningSakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao31rank/position

Evening Mother (♬ The kanakana cicadas chirped in the distance) by Himawari 🌻 with lyrics | Children's song | Evening mom |

Another classic autumn song by lyricist Hachiro Sato and composer Yoshinao Nakada, the creators of “Kawaii Kakurenbo” (Cute Hide-and-Seek) and “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa” (I Found Little Autumn).

This piece portrays the somewhat lonely scenery of an autumn evening and the warmth of a mother felt within it.

With the gentle, heart-penetrating melodies so characteristic of Yoshinao Nakada, it resonates deeply with listeners.

The work spread through radio and other media in the 1950s, and can be heard on albums such as “Yoshinao Nakada: Selected Children’s Songs – Kawaii Kakurenbo / Medaka no Gakko.” There is a touching anecdote that at Hachiro Sato’s funeral in 1973, all the attendees sang the song accompanied by Nakada himself on piano—an episode that conveys the depth of their bond and the special power of this song.

It is a tender, embracing piece, perfect for moments of thinking about family on an autumn evening.

Touch it, and autumn will feel lonely.Sakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao32rank/position

Touch it and autumn grows lonely — lyrics by Hachirō Satō, music by Yoshinao Nakada

Kinao Nakata, the composer of “If You Touch It, Autumn Will Feel Lonely,” also created pieces such as “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa” (I Found a Little Autumn) and “Natsu no Omoide” (Memories of Summer).

He originally aspired to be a jazz pianist, but had to give up because his hands were small, so he switched to composing and produced many memorable masterpieces that have stayed in our hearts.

In the lyrics featuring autumn plants like chestnuts and balsam, you can sense the fragrance of the season.

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sasashina

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Tonton FriendsSakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao33rank/position

COCX 34142 18. Ton-ton Friends

The lyrics are by Hachirō Satō and the music by Yoshinao Nakada; it’s a children’s song that has been sung for many years.

With plenty of humor, it celebrates the strength of friendship among companions.

It features nine children labeled with the numbers 1 through 9, and their names are in an old-fashioned style.

It’s also fun to make a parody by substituting your classmates’ names.

Song of the cicadasakushi: satou yoshimi / sakkyoku: nakata yoshinao34rank/position

Cicada Song, childcare, kindergarten, piano, beginner, sing-and-play, sheet music

When you think of summer traditions, the sound of cicadas comes to mind, doesn’t it? Yet when you actually try to catch one and search with your eyes, they’re surprisingly hard to spot, so many people have probably relied on their calls to find them.

In this “Song of the Cicada,” the cicadas’ distinctive calls and the process of locating them by sound are depicted.

It sounds fun to go cicada hunting while singing this song, doesn’t it?

A town where snow fallsSakushi: Uchimura Naoya / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao35rank/position

Snowy Town by Chieko Baisho

Takashi Hideo, also known as a leading chanson singer in Japan, released the song “Yuki no Furu Machi o” in 1952, during his career as an actor and singer.

The lyrics were written by Naoya Uchimura, who worked as a playwright, and the music was composed by Yoshinao Nakada, known for works such as “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa.” Created as an insert song for the serial radio drama “Eriko to Tomoni,” it became a hit.

Interweaving a melancholy melody with lyrics that depict wintry scenes, the piece expresses the poignant longing of a heart awaiting spring.

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mutō

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