Top 10 Japanese Nursery Rhymes Every Child Will Love
Nursery rhymes are a natural gateway into language. Their repetitive melodies and simple lyrics help children remember new words and rhythms. Singing 童謡 (dōyō, nursery rhymes) together builds listening skills, vocabulary, and confidence—all while having fun.
Top 10 Japanese Nursery Rhymes
Zou-san (ぞうさん – Elephant)
A gentle tune about a little elephant’s walk, repeating ぞうさん to anchor the word elephant.
Donguri Korokoro (どんぐりころころ – Acorn Roll)
This playful song follows an acorn (どんぐり, donguri) as it tumbles into a pond, reinforcing ころころ for rolling.
Amefuri (あめふり – Rainfall)
Children learn あめ (rain) and パンパン (pitter-patter) while imagining raindrops and umbrellas.
Shabondama (しゃぼんだま – Soap Bubbles)
A wistful melody about soap bubbles (しゃぼんだま) rising and popping sparks words for bubble play.
Usagi to Kame (うさぎとかめ – The Hare and the Tortoise)
A retelling of the classic fable introduces うさぎ (hare) and かめ (tortoise) through character voices.
Koinobori (こいのぼり – Carp Streamers)
Sung each Children’s Day, this rhyme names こい (carp) and のぼり (streamer) as colorful windsocks.
Okaasan (おかあさん – Mother)
A sweet lullaby celebrating おかあさん with simple lines perfect for bedtime practice.
Mori no Kuma-san (森のくまさん – Bear in the Forest)
Kids follow くま (bear) through the woods, learning 森 (forest) and animal sounds.
Kaeru no Uta (かえるのうた – Frog Song)
A lively tune that teaches かえる (frog) and mimics ribbit sounds—great for hopping games.
Tanabata-sama (たなばたさま – Star Festival)
Celebrates the starry tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi, introducing ほし (star) and はし (bridge).
Activities & Games
Bubble Chorus
Mix soapy water and let children blow bubbles while singing Shabondama. Each pop prompts them to name しゃぼんだま aloud.
Acorn Relay
Provide small acorns or balls. In teams, kids roll one across the room while chanting Donguri Korokoro to practice どんぐり and ころころ.
Practice Corner
Post lyric cards by the door. When your child passes, they sing the first line of Amefuri or Zou-san before entering. This daily cue reinforces words in context.
Extend rhyme time with Dinolingo. Its family plan gives up to six children access to over 40 000 activities across 50+ languages. Age-specific paths—Pre-readers (2–5), Elementary (6–10), Tween/Teen (11–14)—serve animated videos and printable flashcards featuring these very nursery rhymes, plus surprise badge rewards to keep motivation high and parents in the loop on an ad-free dashboard.
Final Thoughts
Japanese nursery rhymes blend melody with repetition, making new words stick like magic. Pair these ten classics with playful games and Dinolingo’s follow-up activities, and you’ll watch your child hum, sing, and speak Japanese with joy.
Sources
- Tofugu – Japanese Learning Blog
- JapanesePod101 – Kids’ Japanese Lessons