[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
Wafu BGM: Beautiful Tones Woven by Japanese Tradition (21–30)
Shanghai Alice Gengakudan [Bad Apple!!] Shourinka [ShouRinka]Wagakki no juuchin-tachi
![Shanghai Alice Gengakudan [Bad Apple!!] Shourinka [ShouRinka]Wagakki no juuchin-tachi](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dx76YPgZviE/sddefault.jpg)
Given this venue and lineup, I totally assumed it would be standard traditional Japanese music, but it struck completely from left field—and the quality is exceptionally high.
It’s easy to see why it’s been showered with praise from around the world.
The deeply poignant passages and the mature restraint of each timbre that firmly supports the melody are wonderful.
Above all, the performance features veteran masters among the instrumentalists.
This piece is the Japanese music world’s serious response to a challenge set as a Nico Nico assignment, and it became a hot topic, racking up millions of views on various sites.
When it was released, the internet was flooded with comments like, “Sensei, what are you doing?!”
Music of the CelestialsHisaishi Joe
This is “Heavenly Beings’ Music” from The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
The composer is Joe Hisaishi, well known for his music in Studio Ghibli works.
Hisaishi is one of the representative composers for Studio Ghibli, but interestingly, he usually scores only films directed by Hayao Miyazaki; when other directors are involved, different composers tend to take over.
The director of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is Isao Takahata, making this a rare case where Hisaishi worked on a non-Miyazaki film.
Since Princess Mononoke, full orchestras have more frequently been used for in-film performances.
As Ghibli and Hisaishi’s popularity has grown, there have been more concerts as well, and it’s said that Hisaishi creates new arrangements for each concert.
It might be fun to compare the soundtrack versions with the concert versions.
A collection of cool, fast-paced Japanese-style BGMotowabi, hoka
As a medley of Japanese-style BGM, this is a captivating work that fuses Japan’s tradition with the modern day.
The tones of traditional instruments such as the shakuhachi, koto, and shamisen blend beautifully with a driving, exhilarating rhythm.
The track titles evoke images inspired by nature and history, conveying an attempt to express Japan’s beauty through music.
Released in June 2022, this collection has drawn attention in game and anime production settings.
It is also used as background music for works themed around period dramas and Sengoku warlords.
With a runtime of over 38 minutes, it’s perfect for those who want to maintain focus.
Highly recommended as a companion for work or study, and for anyone interested in experiencing Japanese culture.
“PRANA” – Naruto – Exhibition Main ThemeYoshida Kyōdai
When it comes to stars of the shamisen world, the Yoshida Brothers are the ones who immediately come to mind.
This piece was created as the theme song for an art exhibition of the manga Naruto.
If you’ve watched videos from the exhibition, the beat-driven track that seems to unfurl the artworks right before your eyes may have stuck with you.
Listening to it again now, it’s still moving.
Spirit of TaikoKodo
Next up is a piece with quite a few traditional phrases and performance techniques.
Speaking of heartbeat, there’s a group based in Sado that is often called a leading pioneer for bringing Japanese taiko music to the global stage, thanks to their engaging performances that feel good right down to the groove—especially within today’s world of WAGO (Japanese) music fusion.
Among relatively arranged fusion styles, their pieces often stay calm and remarkably faithful to traditional Japanese playing methods, setting them apart from current trends like techno.
This is a big part of why they’re popular across generations and countries.
TsugaruUttara-Kuru ＆ Mizuyo Komiya
First up is a Japanese-style yet danceable track.
It’s a deeply cool, irresistibly stylish song by Uttara Kuru, a Wa unit that fuses Tsugaru shamisen + shakuhachi + Buddhist chant into techno-electro.
It genuinely sounds like something you could hear in a club—overwhelmingly cool.
It’s also very popular with international audiences, and enjoys huge easy-listening sales online.
By the way, the group’s name refers to an ideal land in Indian tradition, which feels very Buddhist, doesn’t it?
Grand Japanese-style music (Wafu rock)gēmu myūjikku
Grand, Japanese-style rock stirs a blazing soul.
The game music of “NARUTO: Ultimate Portable — Mugenjo no Maki” masterfully fuses the timbre of traditional Japanese instruments with modern beats, drawing listeners into a mysterious world.
The delicate tones of the koto and the powerful crunch of guitar riffs weave a melody in exquisite balance—an embodiment of Japan’s tradition meeting the contemporary.
Created as the soundtrack for a game released in March 2010, it vividly captures the spirit of a hero-themed comic universe, with an expansive, cinematic sound that captivates.