Children’s songs, school songs, and nursery rhymes with a river theme. Beloved classics about nostalgic watersides.

Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari

Like the flow of a river

This is a grand, single epic piece that likens the long journey of life to the majestic flow of a great river.

The lyrics were written by Yasushi Akimoto, who is said to have composed them while gazing at New York’s East River.

Its universal message—that no matter the hardships, calm days will eventually return—resonates deeply with listeners.

This work was the final single released in the lifetime of the legendary songstress Hibari Misora, in January 1989.

Celebrated as a masterpiece that sings of the wonder of life, it is also heard in educational settings.

Whose river is it?sakushi sakkyoku: Minami Ranbō

[A Cappella] A Cappella Group Blue Voices 2009.11.28 LIVE ♪ Whose River Is It?

“Whose River Is It?” was broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta in 1995 and became widely known, especially among children.

The following year, it was released as a single CD by Nippon Columbia, performed by the Tokyo Broadcasting Children’s Choir.

The song conveys the origins of a river and the importance of rivers.

School of MedakaSakushi: Chaki Shigeru / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao

Nursery Rhyme: The Medaka School

This is a charming children’s song that likens medaka fish swimming in a river to children going to school.

It was introduced on an NHK radio program in 1951.

Although it was not highly acclaimed at first, it gradually won people’s hearts.

In 1954, it received the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize.

Later, in 2007, it was also selected for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Selected Japanese Songs.”

Friendly PathSakushi: Mitoma Yasushi / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Koyo

1939 (Showa 14) “Nakayoshi Komichi” Lyrics: Yasushi Mitoma / Music: Koyo Kawamura / Performed by: Sadako Kuwana & Columbia Yurikago-kai

In the era before organized school commuting groups existed, it was common to see scenes like in this children’s song: close friends and neighborhood kids holding hands as they walked to school.

It’s a charming little tune that vividly conjures up children cheerfully chatting as they head to school.

FlowerSakushi: Takeshima Hae / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentarō

Hana (Rentaro Taki) (Performed by: Naoko Sasaki)

“Hana” (Flowers) was released as the first song in the collection Shiki (The Four Seasons), published by Kyoeki Shosha in 1900.

With lyrics by Hakushū Takeshima and music by Rentarō Taki, the piece is said to depict the rowing that was popular on the Sumida River at the time.

For many people, this is the quintessential song of spring in Japan.

Our town is on the riverbank.sakushi: Mine Akira / sakkyoku: Hayashi Hikaru

OTAKARA Discovery Team vol.31: 'Nishirokugo Children's Choir'

It was featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1964 and 1966.

Set against the backdrop of the early high-growth era, this song portrays a town nestled between a river and factories.

Its upbeat melody conveys the sense of hope for the future that people felt at the time.

From the unaccompanied female chorus piece “Even the Seeds Chirp”: Spring RiverNagoya Shiritsu Moriyama Higashi Chūgakkō

Nagoya Municipal Moriyama Higashi Junior High School (A), from the unaccompanied female chorus pieces 'The Seed Chirps': Spring River; Lyrics by Bocho Yamamura; Music by Takafumi Nobunaga

This is one piece from a choral suite consisting of six songs: “Dance,” “At a Certain Time,” “Prayer,” “Tree of Wisdom,” “River in Spring,” and “Even the Seeds Chirp.” The poems were written by the poet Botchō Yamamura, who died in 1924, and in recent years Takatomi Nobunaga, a composer known for many choral works, set them to music.