Take Your Class on a Free Musical Field Trip to Japan—No Passport Required!

Ever teach a lesson that just clicks—where the kids are totally into it, you’re having fun, and everything flows?

That’s exactly what happened when I introduced Japan to my students during Season 2 of the Secret Chicken series. If you're not familiar, the Secret Chicken is a (very mysterious) world traveler who hides in different countries. Each episode gave me a new excuse to build a quick cultural music lesson—and when we landed on Japan, I knew it was time to go all in.

We sang Japanese children’s songs. We learned the Tokyo Ondo dance and clapped our way through taiko drum beats. And my students ate it up. They were totally immersed, moving and listening and asking great questions. After that lesson, I pulled together all the best kid-friendly videos I used—and created A Musical Visit to Japan, a free Wakelet collection that makes it easy to bring this experience to your own classroom.

If you’ve been looking for an easy way to weave world music into your teaching without hours of prep, here’s how to do it—Japan-style.

🎏 Start with a Festival: Children’s Day & Koinobori

Introduce your students to Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day), a national holiday in Japan where families celebrate their children’s health and happiness. One of the most fun symbols of this day is the koinobori—colorful carp-shaped streamers that flap in the wind.

🎶 Watch the “Koinobori no Uta” video and sing along in Japanese and English. The melody is catchy, the imagery is beautiful, and students love seeing real kids and families celebrating the holiday.

💡Try this: Print or draw koinobori and hang them in your room. Let students create their own "wishing fish" with positive messages or music goals.

🥁 Feel the Rhythm: Taiko Drumming Energy

Taiko drums are a big part of Japanese music culture—and kids LOVE them. There’s something magnetic about the powerful rhythms and full-body movement.

In my room, we used taiko drumming clips for movement, rhythm response, and imitation. One of my favorites is the video where a jazz drummer learns taiko—it’s fascinating and very student-friendly.

💡Try this: After watching, grab some drums, floor toms, or even rhythm sticks and let students echo taiko-style rhythms. Add in stance and arm movement to really feel the energy!

🎐 Listen and Reflect: The Elegance of the Koto

To wind down, I like to introduce the koto, a traditional Japanese string instrument. It has a calm, peaceful tone that contrasts beautifully with the energy of taiko drumming.

One of the videos in the Wakelet features a solo koto performance of “Sakura,” paired with cherry blossom visuals. It’s a great opportunity to practice focused listening and emotional response.

💡Try this: Ask students to draw or journal while they listen. What does the music remind them of? How does it make them feel?

🌍 Take Your Own Musical Trip—Without the Prep

All of the videos I’ve mentioned—and several more—are ready to go in my free Wakelet collection, A Musical Visit to Japan. I curated it with elementary students in mind, so you don’t have to search YouTube for hours or worry about what’s age-appropriate.

You can use it:

• As part of a world music unit
• During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
• As a no-prep lesson for a sub
• For movement breaks and calming transitions

It’s flexible, it’s free, and it’s a fun way to bring culture, rhythm, and joy into your music room.

👋 What About You?

Have you taught music from Japan in your classroom? Do your students have a favorite cultural song, instrument, or dance? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you—share in the comments below or send me a message!

🎶 Ready to Explore?

👉 Grab my free A Musical Visit to Japan Wakelet collection here and take your students on an unforgettable musical adventure—no passport required.

Musically yours.

    

References

If you're looking to incorporate these topics into your teaching, these resources offer authentic perspectives and detailed information that can enrich your lessons.

🎏 Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi)

• Japan Society: Kodomo no Hi – Children's Day Celebration
• A comprehensive overview of Children's Day, its history, and how it's celebrated in Japan, including traditional decorations and foods.​Savvy Tokyo+2Tokyo Weekender+2About Japan+2
• Savvy Tokyo: Children's Day in Japan – A Guide to Kodomo No Hi
• This guide provides insights into the traditions, symbols, and customs associated with Children's Day, along with recipes for traditional treats.

🎵 Taiko Drumming

• Deeper Japan: Taiko – Japan’s Beating Heart
• This article explores the deep roots of Taiko in Japanese culture, highlighting its roles in religion, warfare, and entertainment over thousands of years.​Tradition of Japan+2Deeper Japan+2UNC Open+2
• Tradition of Japan: The Power of Taiko
• An in-depth look at the history and cultural significance of Taiko drums, including their use in festivals and martial arts displays.​Tradition of Japan

🕺 Bon Odori

• Highlighting Japan: Bon Odori – Symbol of the Japanese Summer
• This article explores the deep roots of Bon Odori in Japanese culture, highlighting its origins in Buddhist rituals and its evolution into a communal summer dance.​
• Nippon.com: Japan’s “Bon Odori” – Welcoming Ancestors’ Spirits Home
• An in-depth look at how Bon Odori serves as a celebration during the Obon season, welcoming the spirits of ancestors back for a brief visit.​Moments Log+2Nippon.com | Your Doorway to Japan+2Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre+2
• Japanese Culture: Bon Odori – Exploring the Origins, Purpose, and Global Spread
• This article discusses the historical context of Bon Odori, its significance in Japanese culture, and how it has spread globally.

💃 Tokyo Ondo

• Cultural News: Bon Odori and Taiko Tradition in the Japanese American Community
• This lecture note delves into the history of Bon Odori and the Taiko tradition, highlighting the popularity of "Tokyo Ondo" during the Taisho era and its continued significance.

🎶 Koto Playing

• Highlighting Japan: The Koto – Into Tomorrow
• This government publication discusses the evolution of the Koto and its role in establishing Japan's unique music traditions.​Moments Log+3Gov Online+3ThaiJo2.1: Thai Journal Online+3
• About Koto - Japanese Traditional Music
• This article provides an overview of the koto's history, construction, and its role in both traditional and contemporary Japanese music.​

Elizabeth Caldwell, Organized Chaos Music, has lots of posts on her blog for integrating the music of Japan into our music lessons! I highly recommend that you check it out!

https://caldwellorganizedchaos.blogspot.com/search?q=japan

Free Guide: You can find more ideas for observing Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Heritage Month in this free guide from F-Flat Books.

https://fflat-books.com/product/heritage-guides-for-the-music-classroom/