Osamu Sakata Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Beyond the rainbowSakata Osamu15rank/position

Ensemble: "Beyond the Rainbow" (5-year-old class)

Osamu Sakata’s songs bring dreams and hope to children.

This piece is a lovely song that conveys a spirit of adventure in searching for a rainbow and the warmth of holding hands with friends.

Its simple, approachable melody is sure to resonate with children.

Released in November 1996, this song has long been cherished as a warm, family-friendly work.

How about including it as an ensemble piece for the senior kindergarten class? Singing and playing it together with the children will surely become a wonderful memory.

Hearing the gentle performance will surely move the parents as well.

Under the Big Chestnut TreeSakata Osamu, Kanzaki Yūko16rank/position

Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree (with gestures)

It’s a classic hand-play song that kids sing and dance to at nursery schools and kindergartens.

Since it’s been passed down for generations, many people probably listened to it as children and now sing and play it with their own kids.

It’s a very short song, but by changing the speed and repeating it, you can enjoy it over and over.

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bento boxSakata Osamu, Kanzaki Yūko17rank/position

[Hand Play] The Bento Lunch Box Song♪

We’ll pack rice balls and side dishes into a bento box.

If you sing it in modern times, you might find yourself wondering a bit about the contents of the bento, but it could be fun to actually make a bento exactly as described in the song.

Try changing the size depending on whose bento box it is, and experiment with singing in a soft voice.

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sasashina

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The Colors of the Rainbow and the Little StarSakata Osamu, Kanzaki Yūko18rank/position

Rainbow Colors and the Little Stars by Himawari x2 (♪ Long ago, the colors of the rainbow ~) With Lyrics | Children's Song, Okaasan to Issho | Rainbow Colors and Stars

It’s a gentle, ballad-style song that sings, “There used to be white in the rainbow, and the stars were in the sky at noon.” As for why the white disappeared—listen and find out.

And guess what: the composer is none other than the world-renowned drummer Akira Jimbo.

They are good friends.Sakata Osamu, Kanzaki Yūko19rank/position

♪ The two are good friends, 24.4.27

This is the song from the short animated series “Futari wa Nakayoshi,” which aired on Okaasan to Issho and features the sibling duo Goo and Sue as the main characters.

Even after the series ended, it has remained a popular song performed by the show’s singing hosts.

Starry Sky CarnivalSakata Osamu, Kanzaki Yūko20rank/position

Starry Sky Carnival (Dance for Younger Children)

This is “Hoshizora Carnival,” the monthly song from September 1990, sung by Osamu Sakata and Yuko Kanzaki.

It’s a popular number often used in school performances.

The lively sound has a tropical vibe, and it’s absolutely adorable when children dance to it.

It also feels like a nighttime party, so it could work well for a Christmas event.

Since various animals appear in the song, dressing the kids in animal costumes would be cute too.

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sasashina

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Panda, rabbit, koalaSakata Osamu, Kanzaki Yūko21rank/position

Panda, Bunny, Koala ♪

How about “Panda, Bunny, Koala,” a hand-play song that became widely popular thanks to NHK’s educational program Okaasan to Issho? The song is known for having lyrics by Hiroo Takada, and it’s fun because you imitate the movements of the panda, bunny, and koala that appear in the lyrics.

Its appeal also lies in the built-in variety and game-like elements, such as the tempo gradually getting faster.

You might enjoy it even more if you add brief explanations between sections of the song—for example, “Let’s line them up and try it.”

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yamamoto

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