BGM that soothes you when you listen. Music that calms the mind.
When you feel like you need healing, what do you do?
Some people go out to places rich in nature, spend time with animals, watch their favorite movies—there are many ways, depending on the person.
In this article, I’d like to introduce soothing music as one such option.
I’ve gathered gentle pieces that calm the mind and help heal both body and soul when you listen to them.
Play them when you go to sleep, use them as background music for meditation—listen at whatever time you prefer, and be sure to give yourself some healing.
Soothing BGM to listen to: music that calms the mind (1–10)
Like the windNEW!S.E.N.S.
When you’re busy every day and feeling tired, you find yourself craving a gentle melody that soaks into your heart, don’t you? For those moments, I recommend this work, released in November 1993.
Created by the instrumental unit S.E.N.S., it was used as the main theme for the Fuji TV drama “Asunaro Hakusho.” Precisely because there are no lyrics, the beautiful tones of piano and strings quietly stay close to your emotions.
Capturing the bittersweetness of youth, this piece is perfect for a quiet moment before sleep or when you want to spend time alone at a relaxed pace.
Why not let yourself drift on the calm melody and give your heart a rest?
Theme Song of ‘The Era of the Heart’NEW!Wong WingTsan
Wong WingTsan has worked on numerous film and television scores.
This piece was composed in 2001 as the theme music for NHK E-TV’s long-running program “Kokoro no Jidai: Religion and Life.” It was later included on the album “Farther Than the Sea,” released in October 2003.
The quiet piano tones layered with synth strings create a beautiful melody that seems to convey emotional depth without words.
This instrumental evokes a silence akin to deep reflection or prayer, making it perfect for nights when you want to pause and calm your mind after a busy day.
Its gentle, expansive sound will softly stay by your side.
Path of the WindNEW!Hisaishi Joe
This piece features a melody that seeps into the heart, evoking the presence of nature and the mysterious atmosphere of a forest.
Composed by Joe Hisaishi, its warm resonance—imbued with a quiet, nostalgic feeling—is truly captivating.
It is widely known as part of the score for a Studio Ghibli film released in April 1988.
The anecdote that the world of the visuals was built from the music alone speaks to its high level of craftsmanship.
Perfect for moments when you want to step away from the busyness of daily life and take a deep, cleansing breath.
If you close your eyes and listen at a relaxed pace, gentle landscapes and the scent of summer wind will come to mind, and you’ll feel your heart gradually unwind.
Savor it during a quiet, relaxing night.
ALWAYS Sunset on Third Street (Opening Title)NEW!Satō Naoki
This heartwarming piece was composed by Naoki Sato, one of the leading composers in Japanese cinema.
Opening the album “ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street Original Soundtrack,” released in October 2005, this work was used as the opening for the blockbuster film “ALWAYS: Sunset on Third Street.” Its gentle orchestral melody evokes nostalgic Showa-era scenery and the warmth of everyday life.
When you close your eyes and listen, it brings a calm feeling, as if you’ve slipped back into sepia-toned memories.
It’s a moving instrumental that quietly stays by your side when you’re busy and in need of a moment of peace.
Silk RoadNEW!Kitaro
This is the theme music for NHK Special “The Silk Road—絲綢之路—,” composed by Kitaro.
1980年5月にリリースされたアルバム「Silk Road（絲綢之路）」の幕開けを飾り、番組の大きな反響と相まって、全国を席巻する一大現象を巻き起こした。
The sound—woven from the rich resonance of synthesizers and Eastern-style melodies—evokes boundless deserts and an eternal sense of history.
With flashy developments held in check and a structure that gradually expands the space, it frees the heart from the clamor of everyday life.
How about immersing yourself in this vast sonic landscape alone in the stillness of night, sipping tea at your leisure? It’s an evergreen masterpiece of comfort, gently enveloping a weary heart.
Fubuki ~ Asuka’s Theme ~NEW!Ōshima Michiru
Famous as the theme music for the NHK morning drama series “Asuka,” this piece is an instrumental composed by Michiru Oshima.
It was included at the beginning of the 1999 soundtrack “Asuka Original Soundtrack,” and the performance by world-renowned oboist Fumiaki Miyamoto is deeply moving.
Its gentle melody, evoking a natural breeze, and the warm harmony of the strings slowly seep into a weary heart.
In 2000, it was also featured on the healing-themed compilation album “image,” helping it become a long-loved choice for everyday background music.
It’s a tender piece that quietly stays by your side on restless nights or when you want to pause and take a deep breath.
Good DoctorNEW!Tokuda Masahiro
Good Doctor, composed by Masahiro Tokuda, gently stays by your side when your heart is tired.
Included on the original soundtrack for the drama of the same name that aired in 2018, this piece resonated with many as the main theme that tenderly embraces the work’s entire world.
Precisely because it’s an instrumental without lyrics, the delicate piano and warm orchestration seep from the ears into the heart.
The melody conveys not only the tension of the medical setting but also hope for life and the bonds between people, making it perfect for those moments when you want to surrender yourself to the sound without thinking about anything.
Try listening to it as background music while you work or during a quiet moment before bed, and enjoy a calm time that relaxes both body and mind.