For anyone who grew up in Hokkaido, the 'Kodomo Bon Odori Uta' (Children's Bon Dance Song) is the definitive sound of summer. But that catchy, unforgettable phrase... was it really 'Shanko' and not 'Chanko'? This classic song, full of such relatable moments for Hokkaido locals, is finally getting its own standalone CD release.

📢NEWS

🏮シャーンコ シャンコシャンコ
　　　　　　シャシャンがシャン🏮

世代を超え北海道で愛されてきた
『#子供盆おどり唄』
7月30日(水)発売決定🎉

レコード発売から70年以上の時を超えて単独初CD化✨
盆踊り会場で使いやすい1時間超ロングプレイ仕様です‼️

💿詳細https://t.co/0drxNUCntR pic.twitter.com/Y7CON706zx

— キングレコードJ-POP/J-ROCK (@kingrecord_rock) July 3, 2025

That Familiar Tune Every Hokkaido Local Knows is Making a Comeback!

A summer night in Hokkaido, children dancing around a festival tower in a park to the tune of 'Shanko♪ Shanko♪'... It has been announced that the 'Kodomo Bon Odori,' a dance every Hokkaido resident has likely performed at least once, will be released for the first time as a standalone CD on July 30, 2025.

Designed for easy use at Bon dance festivals, the CD features an hour-long, extended-play version with the song repeating 25 times. It also includes the lyrics and choreography that came with the 2002 cassette tape release, plus a new detailed commentary. The jacket is a faithful reproduction using the same film as the original.

'Shanko?' 'Wasn't it Chanko?' A Common Mix-up for Hokkaido Locals

When you hum this song, that famous chorus just pops out. As kids, many of us sang 'Chanko♪ Chanko♪,' but the correct lyric is 'Shanko.' The 'Shanko' in the lyrics represents the 'jingle-jangle' sound of bells on a horse. It's a classic 'relatable moment' for people from Hokkaido, sparking reactions like, 'What?! It wasn't Chanko?!' and 'I thought it was Chanko my whole childhood!'

While there was a certain charm to the neighborhood association's overused cassette tape suddenly slowing down or going off-key, this new CD will surely be a convenient upgrade for this year's Bon dances! This summer, why not enjoy 'Shanko♪ Shanko♪' with a fresh perspective?

*Thumbnail image sourced from the official King Records J-POP/J-ROCK X account.
*Photos are for illustrative purposes.