[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)
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.
[Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful Tones Woven by Japanese Tradition (31–40)
“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.
AwakeningTsugaru shamisen shūdan Hayate
A performance by Tsugaru Shamisen Collective Hayate, a Tsugaru shamisen unit produced by Kenichi Yoshida—the younger brother of the Yoshida Brothers, who are both mega-stars and idols in the shamisen world.
It’s an extraordinary performance, with a depth that’s hard to believe comes from just four instruments, beautiful interwoven melodies, and a delicate, almost vanishing upper register whose harmony and resonance are stunning.
Though contemporary in style, it carries a poignant sorrow—highly recommended.
The sun rises.saundotorakku
Among the tracks on the soundtrack of the popular 2006 video game Okami, one of the most beloved is The Sun Rises.
True to this masterpiece of Japanese-style action-adventure, the piece is used to great effect in step with the game’s progression, giving players goosebumps.
Lots of BeatlesKoto Shiki no Kai
Have you ever listened to Western songs or J-pop played on the taishōgoto? Professional musicians perform on it, but amateurs also play it at recitals.
This is a Beatles medley performed by a hobby group.
The taishōgoto’s sound is soft and gives you a warm, relaxed feeling.
Awa Odori (Awa Dance Festival)matsuribayashi
In our daily lives, when we think of the most familiar “Japanese music,” isn’t it the festival hayashi? Among them, the melodies of Awa Odori have quite a strong groove.
The ensemble of flute, drums, and shamisen—further enriched by kane (small gong) and odaiko (large drum)—makes your body start moving just by listening.