[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)
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.
Tokusa-gari (Scouring Rush Cut)rakugo debayashi
The entrance music used by the rakugo storyteller Danshi Tatekawa.
Whenever I hear this tune, I picture Master Danshi’s scowling face in my mind.
This piece, Tokusagari, originally comes from nagauta, a form of music used in kabuki dance.
By the way, when Master Danshi was young, he used the children’s song “Ano Machi Kono Machi” as his entrance music.
[Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful Tones Woven by Japanese Tradition (31–40)
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.
sixth dansōkyoku
Pieces that feature the koto are called sōkyoku.
Among them, the most well-known is Rokudan.
With its tempo changes and rising and falling scales, it brings out the koto’s characteristics to the fullest.
It captivates even listeners who aren’t familiar with traditional Japanese music.
Genroku Cherry-Blossom Viewing Dancenagauta
In old period films, whenever the scene switched to a lavish banquet at a castle, this piece of music was invariably used as the background score.
Well-known rakugo storytellers like Shinosuke Tatekawa and the late Enraku Sanyutei used it as their entrance music.
This video features a performance by the Kumamoto Prefecture Traditional Japanese Music Association.