Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
Do you like winter?Although winter is very cold, there are many unique ways to enjoy it: you can see a beautiful silver world created by pure white snow, and you can feel a special kind of warmth you can only experience in winter, like hot pot dishes or sitting in a kamakura snow hut.There are also lots of fun events like Christmas and New Year’s!Children are probably looking forward to making snowmen, having snowball fights, and enjoying Christmas presents and cakes, aren’t they?In this article, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes, folk songs, traditional children’s songs, and hand-play songs themed around various aspects of “winter.”There are many songs that will turn a winter that’s “just cold” into wonderful memories, so please give them a listen!
- December children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes: fun winter hand-play songs
- [February Songs] Introducing children's songs, folk songs, nursery rhymes, and hand-play songs about Setsubun and winter!
- Songs for January: Nursery rhymes and fingerplay songs we want children to grow familiar with
- Snow Songs to Enjoy in Winter! Children's Snow Nursery Rhymes & Hand-Play Songs
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- [Snow Songs] Classic winter tunes themed around snow. Snow songs that touch the heart.
- [Winter Songs] The Best Classic and Popular Winter Tunes to Listen to in Winter
- [Hand Play] Popular with kids! A collection of trendy hand-play songs and nostalgic traditional children’s songs
- [Children’s Song] A Collection of Hand Play Songs Perfect for Christmas
- Masterpieces to Listen to in January: New Year-Themed, New Year-Ready, and Winter Songs
- Recommended Christmas songs for people in their 70s: A collection of classic winter hits from the Showa era
- Popular winter songs on YouTube Shorts. Winter song special.
- [Elementary School Music] List of Popular and Nostalgic Songs That Have Appeared in Textbooks
Collection of winter children’s songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter hand-play songs too (81–90)
Has the plum blossomed?
In the cold of winter, we can’t help but long for plum blossoms that signal the arrival of warm spring, right? That sense of eager anticipation is captured in “Ume wa Saita ka.” This Edo-period hauta/kouta piece is based on the popular Meiji-era folk song “Shongaebushi.” In fact, it’s not literally about plum blossoms: the plum, along with other flowers and shells mentioned in the lyrics, refers to geisha.
The song weaves in various themes of romance—infidelity, jealousy, and unrequited love.
While the lyrics are a touch mature, the shamisen performance evokes spring festivals of plums and cherries.
That very melody makes you look forward to the coming of spring!
Powdery snow, konko
With lyrics by Toshiko Iijima and music by Kishio Hirao, this is a Japanese children’s song.
It depicts powdery snow fluttering down with a “konko” sound.
When you think of snow falling “konko,” you might recall the children’s song “Yuki” (Snow), but “Konayuki Konko” has even simpler lyrics aimed at younger children.
In some areas, such as Saitama Prefecture, it is well known as the tune played by kerosene delivery trucks during the winter.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This song is one of the Christmas tunes everyone knows, but first the story was created in 1938, and then, based on that story, the song was composed in 1948.
The composer was Johnny Marks.
The fact that the red-nosed reindeer has a name also makes sense if the story came first.
In Japan, Nobuo Nitta’s Japanese lyrics are well known, but his version doesn’t explicitly mention the reindeer’s name.
There are other Japanese lyric versions as well, so it could be fun to compare them.
Yay! Santa is comingsakushi sakkyoku: nakagawa hirotaka
This is a song that joyfully sings about an exciting Christmas scene.
Written and composed by Hirotaka Nakagawa, it was released in December 2011 and is included on the album “Christmas Songs: Hirotaka Nakagawa Songbook 2.” Energetically expressing the feelings of children eagerly awaiting Santa’s visit, it’s perfect for getting into the holiday spirit as the Christmas season approaches.
Snow falls upon children.Sakushi: Yamakawa Keisuke / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Takeshi
Both adults and children can’t help but feel excited when they see snow, right? This song is perfect for a snowy day.
It sings about the many kinds of snow falling on children living in different places.
As you read the lyrics, you might wonder which child you relate to.
What kind of snow is that friend far away experiencing? This song sparks the imagination about each person’s unique experience of snow.
Realizing how differently snow can be felt depending on the place may also inspire curiosity about various locations.
It’s a song you’ll want to sing while gazing at the snow outside from the comfort of your room.
An Apple’s SoliloquySakushi: Takeuchi Toshiko / Sakkyoku: Kawamura Mitsuyo
“The Apple’s Soliloquy” tells the story of apples growing on trees, being shipped out, and lining store shelves.
The lyrics were written by children’s poet Toshiko Takeuchi, with music by Koyo Kawamura, who was active in the early Showa period.
Its melody is rooted in traditional Japanese styles, and some listeners may find it nostalgically familiar.
The lyrics, portraying a bright red apple singing, express feelings for the apple orchard where it was born and raised.
Try singing this well-known winter fruit song together with your child.
Collection of Winter Children’s Songs, Folk Songs, and Nursery Rhymes: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs Too (91–100)
Snow and Children
It is said that the first introduction in Japan was the broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962.
It is considered a Norwegian folk song.
The Japanese lyrics were written by the children’s literature author Junichi Kobayashi.
“Ski heil” is German for “long live skiing,” and is used as a greeting among skiers.