Warabeuta: Japanese Nursery Rhymes and Hand Games for Toddlers

Meet the traditional Japanese children's songs and circle games, from Kagome Kagome to Tooryanse, and learn simple ways to sing and play them with toddlers.

Published October 19, 2026 at 10:49 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Warabeuta (also written warabe uta) are traditional Japanese children's songs, similar to nursery rhymes, that are often sung during group games. Famous examples include Kagome Kagome, a circle game, and Tooryanse, an arch game. They are folk songs usually sung without instruments, and many have been passed from child to child for generations.

What warabeuta are

Warabeuta literally means "children's songs." The Wikipedia article on warabe uta describes them as traditional Japanese songs similar to nursery rhymes, often sung during children's games and counted as a type of min'yo, or folk song, which is usually sung without instruments. They sit between lullabies, counting rhymes and play songs.

Many of the words are very old, and a Japanese child today may not understand every word of a song that has been sung for generations. Children learn the tune and the actions first, and the meaning comes later or never. Group singing at nursery or in the neighborhood is often where children pick the songs up, so a toddler may arrive home humming something the parents have never heard. That is true of children's songs in many languages, and it is part of why the songs stay lively: the sound and the rhythm are the point.

Kagome Kagome: the circle game

Kagome Kagome is one of the best-known warabeuta. According to Wikipedia, one child is chosen to be the oni, the "it" of the game, and sits in the middle with eyes covered. The other children hold hands, walk in a circle around the oni, and sing. When the song stops, the oni tries to name the child standing directly behind.

The meaning of the lyrics is uncertain, and the same article notes that the song's intended meaning is not known and that written sources date back to 1813, in the Edo period. Families do not need to worry about interpretations, because the game is its own reward. The circle form is also useful for mixed ages: an older sibling can be the oni while the youngest toddler simply walks along holding a hand. For toddlers, a gentle version works well: no blindfold, a slow walk, and a friendly guess at the end.

Tooryanse: the arch game

Tooryanse is a game that resembles London Bridge Is Falling Down. Two children face each other and join hands to make an arch, while the others walk in a line underneath. When the song ends, the child under the arch is "caught." Wikipedia explains that the song is a dialogue between a traveler and a gatekeeper at a path to a Tenjin shrine, and the travelers say they are going to celebrate a seven-year-old child.

That link to age seven reflects the old custom of marking milestones at ages three, five and seven, now seen in Shichi-Go-San. The tune also plays at some pedestrian crossings in Japan to signal when it is safe to cross, so a visiting child may hear it in the street and recognize it. For very young children, a parent can raise a pair of hands for a tiny "gate" and let the toddler run through.

Weather songs and play songs

Warabeuta cover everyday life. Wikipedia lists Teru teru bozu, a song about the little paper doll that children hang in a window to wish for sunny weather, and Yuki, a song for snow days that is also known as "Yuki ya konko." These songs link naturally to a craft or an outdoor moment. Making a paper doll with a toddler and hanging it by the window turns a rainy day into a small ritual.

Other songs have counting or rhythm patterns, and many go with clapping, bouncing or pointing. Because children's songs are part of oral tradition, melodies and words differ by region and by family. If a Japanese relative sings a different version from the one you read, both are right. The best version is the one a child enjoys joining in with. Writing down the family's version, even in romanized Japanese, makes a nice keepsake to share with grandparents who live far away.

Hand games and finger play

Songs often come with movement. City child-rearing centers list hand play (te-asobi) among the activities they offer to babies and toddlers; Yokohama's Sakae Ward mentions hand play alongside picture-book reading and free play. In hand games, the adult sings and moves the child's fingers, claps hands together or traces a pattern on a palm.

Body-part songs such as Atama Kata Hiza Pon (a song about touching head, shoulders and knees) are popular in Japanese nurseries and are similar in spirit to English action songs such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." Such songs teach words for the body while the child imitates the gestures. For a baby, the adult can move the baby's hands in time with the rhythm. For a toddler, speed up gradually for giggles, and finish with a big clap so the child knows the game is over.

How to sing with toddlers

Start with one short song and repeat it daily so it becomes familiar. Sing slowly, with clear pauses, and keep actions simple. Hold hands in a small circle, or sit on the floor and clap. Let the child lead: if they want to stop, stop. Use a calm, warm voice rather than a performance voice. Toddlers learn from repetition, and a song they know well gives them a feeling of success.

Parents who do not read Japanese can learn tunes by listening to recordings, asking Japanese friends to sing them, or joining a playgroup or community plaza where song and hand play are on the program. Simple romanized lyrics are fine at first. The aim is shared play, not pronunciation. The same gentle approach applies when you learn a song from another culture.

Choosing songs and respecting differences

Some old songs contain lyrics that are puzzling or old-fashioned, and scholars have debated what they mean. A parent does not need to explain this to a toddler. Choose songs whose actions are friendly and whose tunes are easy to sing, and enjoy the rhythm. Short songs with a clear beat are the easiest starting point for children under three. If the words of a song feel unclear, a parent can simply hum it or sing a simplified version.

Traditions vary by region and household, so exact lyrics may not match what a neighbor sings. Treat these songs as shared play rather than a fixed script. This guide shares general cultural information and published sources, not professional advice; for questions about a child's hearing or speech development, talk with a pediatrician or local clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are warabeuta?

Warabeuta are traditional Japanese children's songs, similar to nursery rhymes, often sung during games. They are a kind of folk song, usually sung without instruments. Well-known examples include Kagome Kagome, Tooryanse, Teru teru bozu and Yuki.

How do you play Kagome Kagome?

One child, the oni, sits with eyes covered in the middle of a circle. The other children hold hands, walk around and sing. When the song stops, the oni tries to name who stands directly behind. For toddlers, skip the blindfold and make guessing gentle.

Can I use these songs with babies?

Yes. Hand play and gentle songs are common activities for babies and toddlers in Japanese child-rearing centers. A parent can sing and move the baby's hands, clap, or sway together. Use a calm voice and stop when the baby loses interest.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Parenting Secrets That Create Calm, Independent Children is available on Amazon.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Kosodate Hiroba: Japan's Community Child-Rearing Plazas, Oni ga Kuru: The Demon Threat in Japanese Parenting and Ugai and Tewashi: Teaching Kids Handwashing and Gargling.