[Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful tones woven from Japanese tradition
Welcome to a new musical world where the spirit of Wa meets the breath of the modern era.
The shamisen’s powerful tones, the koto’s delicate melodies, the taiko’s resonant depths—Wafu BGM woven from tradition and innovation reminds us of our pride as Japanese.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected BGM brimming with the charm of Japan.
Whether you want to focus on work or study, or calm your mind, Japan’s beautiful sounds will accompany your moments.
With exhilarating rhythms and the exquisite harmony of traditional instruments, why not enrich your everyday life with vibrant color?
- [Japan] A collection of J-pop with a traditional Japanese (wa) vibe and Japanese-style taste
- A bright, Japanese-style song. A roundup of J-POP with a traditional Japanese flair.
- The Spirit of Japan: A Collection of Famous and Popular Shamisen Pieces
- Masterpieces of Japanese instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.
- [Japanese-style Piano Pieces] A selection of recommended works with a pleasantly Japanese flavor
- Nostalgic yet new! Hit songs from the Showa era you’ll want to use as BGM
- [I Want Healing] Songs That Bring a Sense of Calm: Heartwarming Masterpieces of Japanese Music
- [Classical] Classical music BGM. Recommended classical music as background music for work and study.
- Stylish songs that are popular and recommended for vlog background music
- Recommended BGM for YouTube Shorts! Popular songs released in the Reiwa era
- Gently soaking into a weary heart... Healing songs released in the Reiwa era
- A nostalgic song—a timeless classic that somehow feels familiar and touches the heart.
- Gets you pumped! A curated selection of popular and classic Japanese songs perfect as background music for work
[Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful tones woven by Japanese tradition (71–80)
A powerful live session of Senbonzakura performed with Tsugaru shamisen and Okinawan sanshin.sako-ya & 530
SENBONZAKURA is extremely popular on internet posting sites and at university festival gigs.
These two performers are hugely popular online as shamisen and sanshin players.
This is a session scene at Keio University, and with the shamisen, your emotional lift in the moment, the temperature, even your breathing is immediately reflected—what a dynamic and wonderful instrument! Please enjoy this very intense passage of traditional Japanese instrumental performance!
The condor flies away.Shohei
This is a video of Shohei, a pop shakuhachi player, performing “El Condor Pasa” live.
He handles the instrument as if it were a Western woodwind while still fully showcasing the shakuhachi’s unique timbre.
The wonderful performance drew loud applause from the audience.
Wa Rock [Yosakoi ’14 Track]hatenkō
![Wa Rock [Yosakoi '14 Track]hatenkō](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wV1E_gubWR0/sddefault.jpg)
Yosakoi Soran,” a performance popular across Japan and abroad, as well as at school events, continues to captivate fans—especially because famous teams create their own music each year for their showcases.
These pieces are often featured in special TV programs nationwide, and many people look forward to them every year.
This one is the 2014 Yosakoi Soran track created by Asahikawa’s Hatenko.
It has great dynamics and is a perfect, energizing BGM track.
I want to go far away.Wakitani Toshiaki
“I Want to Go Far Away,” the timeless classic with lyrics by Rokuspuku Ei and music by Hachidai Nakamura, has been covered on YouTube by many people on the shakuhachi.
The reason is that the theme song of the radio program for which Ei-san served as a long-time host was the shakuhachi version of “I Want to Go Far Away.”
Passion ContinentNinagawa Beni
Among the popular, beautiful all-girl band WagakkiBand, Beni Ninagawa is especially stunning with an amazing figure—often called the girl that girls admire.
At home, she casually plays Jonetsu Tairiku solo on shamisen.
Even in Taro Hakase’s performance, the piece is intensely passionate—rich and thick, like tonkotsu—but hers is, if anything, quiet and refined, flowing smoothly: a gradually heating Jonetsu Tairiku, like a strong-wind ramen with soup curry added.
This is the one you want to hear on a tropical night.
Rising SunSamurai Collection
A popular Japanese easy-listening compilation album is the Samurai Collection.
Among its tracks, Rising Sun is especially uplifting.
The overall sound features clear, airy drums and electronic instruments, evoking the feel of choreographed sword-fighting scenes from period samurai dramas.
In conclusion
From the delicate tones of the shakuhachi and koto to the powerful resonance of taiko drums, Japanese music offers a wide range of expressions and is ideal for boosting concentration during work or study.
Immerse yourself in the beautiful world of sound woven by Japanese tradition and enjoy a truly pleasant time.