Nursery rhymes to sing in spring: a collection of classic songs you'll want to sing with your children

Flower ShadowSakushi: Omura Kazuē / Sakkyoku: Toyota Giichi

Flower Shadow

Hanakage is marked by a poignantly wistful melody.

The lyrics portray the sadness of a girl whose beloved older sister has left home to get married.

The days when they always spent the Mid-Autumn nights together under the moon are now gone, and she is all alone.

The image of her sister going far away, the tears shed at their parting, and the futile calls to the sister who has already left…

These scenes, set against drifting cherry blossoms, make the heart tighten with a bittersweet ache—despite it being a bright spring.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Green breezesakushi: shimizu katsura / sakkyoku: kusakawa shin

Japanese children's song: Midori no Soyokaze (The Green Breeze)

When we think of spring, we often picture flowers in full bloom, but the fresh-green season that follows the cherry blossoms is also wonderfully pleasant.

Perfect for that time of year, the song “Midori no Soyokaze” (“Green Breeze”) features lyrics by Katsura Shimizu and music by Shin Kusakawa, and was released in 1948 (Showa 23).

Its refreshing, cheerful melody makes you feel as if you can sense the wind brushing past when you close your eyes.

It was also used in commercials: for Hebel Haus in 2006 and for Taisho Kampo Stomach Medicine in 2019.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

carp streamerSakushi: Kondō Miyako / Sakkyoku: Fushō

♪ Koinobori – Carp Streamers | Carp Streamers Higher Than the Rooftops; The Big Black Carp Is Father [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Koinobori is a well-known children’s song for spring, especially associated with May.

As Children’s Day on May 5 approaches, it’s one of those nursery rhymes you hear popping up everywhere.

And when you see carp streamers fluttering against the pleasant blue spring sky, this is the song that automatically starts playing in your head.

As kids, many of us sang it without knowing what “magoi” and “higoi” meant, but it might be nice to sing it with your child while explaining that the black carp is the magoi and the red carp is the higoi.

It’s a perfect spring song to sing while looking up at the sky together with grandpa and grandma.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Let’s clap our handsSakushi: Kobayashi Jun’ichi / Sakkyoku: Chekosurobakia min’yō

Let's Clap Our Hands

When we think of children’s songs, we tend to imagine melodies that have been heard and sung since long ago and passed down in Japan.

But in fact, there are many songs where a foreign melody has Japanese lyrics added.

This song, “Te o Tatakimashou” (“Let’s Clap Our Hands”), is one of those; it’s said to originate from a Czech folk tune.

It’s also known as the folk dance song “Wooden Shoes.” Although the lyrics don’t mention spring, it’s one of the well-known hand-play songs associated with the idea that children will play with it after entering kindergarten or nursery school.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

The flower smiled.Sakushi: Hotomi Kōgo / Sakkyoku: Yuyama Akira

The Flower Smiled | Spring Song | Children's Song | Nursery | With Lyrics | Ichigo Club

Akira Yuyama, a composer who created numerous children’s songs and choral pieces, wrote “The Flowers Laughed.” In spring, a variety of flowers bloom in vivid colors, and just looking at them in the cheerful weather can make you feel warm and relaxed.

This song is packed with that cozy feeling—perhaps, from a child’s point of view, the flowers looked as if they were smiling.

Just imagining that scene is heartwarming, isn’t it? It’s a spring song that even very young children can sing easily.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Buzz buzz buzzSakushi: Murano Shirou / Sakkyoku: Bohemia min’yō

Buzz Buzz Buzz | Spring Song | Insect Song | Children's Song | Nursery | With Lyrics | Ichigo Club

Bun Bun Bun has been sung even in elementary school classes since the 1940s.

The lyrics were refined by Shiro Murano, and the song depicts bees collecting flower nectar in spring.

Because it features many onomatopoeic words used in the title, it’s fun to sing together in a lively way.

Another highlight is the abundance of lyrics that evoke springtime scenes.

It’s nice to let your imagination wander and think, “What kind of landscape is this song describing?” Incidentally, the tune originally comes from a traditional Czech folk song, to which Japanese lyrics were added to create its current form.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

dandelionwarabeuta asobi

May children’s song “Dandelion”

If you spot fluffy dandelion seeds floating on the spring breeze, here’s a traditional children’s song-and-game you’ll want to enjoy together as a parent and child! Its charm lies in how simply it expresses sending the fluffy seeds far away through rhythm and movement.

You can pretend to blow with a long “fuu,” flutter your hands and become the drifting seeds yourself, using your whole body to play.

This folk song has long been loved in places like Gunma Prefecture, and it continues to be cherished today—introduced in a video in April 2022 as part of efforts to connect nursery school play with activities at home.

With scarves or fabric, you can create a magical, floating-seed atmosphere even indoors! Try it not only when you find real dandelion seeds at the park, but also as a cozy, hands-on activity at home.