[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?

Playlist

[Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful tones woven from Japanese tradition
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	three-starTogi Hideki		A fusion piece of Gagaku and synthesizers by Hideki Togi
2	fireworks (launched into the sky)AUN J kurashikku ōkesutora		A musical work that expresses the feelings of summer love through traditional Japanese instruments
3	The Legend of AshitakaYoshimura Naoya		Reconstructing Princess Mononoke’s music with the ryuteki (dragon flute)
4	Eternal Landkafuugetsu		An instrumental piece fusing traditional Japanese instruments and piano
5	Etenraku		Introduce famous pieces of traditional Japanese gagaku music
6	Luv LetterDJ Okawari		A poignant piece for piano and strings
7	Hymn of Ten Thousand PraisesHakasé Tarō		A composition by Taro Hakase that expresses the journey of life
8	Come, spring.Wagakki Ansanburu Masu		Expressing the sentiment of awaiting spring through traditional Japanese instruments
9	Dancing GirlKazuya Sato		The warm melodies of shinobue player Kazuya Sato
10	Thank youYoshida Kyōdai		A celebrated song of gratitude by the Yoshida Brothers that fuses Tsugaru shamisen with contemporary music
11	From the suite MATSURI “NIPPON”Hakasé Tarō		A grand composition where the shakuhachi and shamisen are fused with an orchestra
12	clan; family; tribe; race; lineageKodō		Kodo’s taiko drum performance captivates with its power and resonance.
13	-EN-Agatsuma Hiromitsu		The fervor and dynamism of Japanese festivals as portrayed by the Tsugaru shamisen
14	Poem of FateAgatsuma Hiromitsu		An inspiring Tsugaru-shamisen instrumental
15	Main Theme from the film “Ōoku”Muramatsu Takatsugu		The epic theme song of the gender-reversed Ōoku
16	‎New ASIATogi Hideki		Hideki Togi’s representative work, the song of Asian hope
17	Eternal Great RiverTogi Hideki		Fusion of Gagaku and progressive rock
18	Grand Festival 2DRUM TAO		The wild performance of the taiko drum group TAO
19	my styleAgatsuma Hiromitsu		Tsugaru shamisen player delivers a high-speed, artistic performance
20	Spring SeaNomura Houzan, Higuchi Yukimi		Japanese New Year music played with the shakuhachi and koto
21	Poem of the GodsHimekami		The Jōmon language name song, wonderful sound
22	Shanghai Alice Gengakudan [Bad Apple!!] Shourinka [ShouRinka]Wagakki no juuchin-tachi		The world-acclaimed challenge of a Niconico featured song
23	Music of the CelestialsHisaishi Joe		The Celestials’ Music in The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
24	A collection of cool, fast-paced Japanese-style BGMotowabi, hoka		Japanese music: a fusion of tradition and modernity
25	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Togi Hideki		Gagaku musician Hideki Togi performs “Hanamizuki” on the hichiriki.
26	TsugaruUttara-Kuru ＆ Mizuyo Komiya		Japanese-style techno music popular with foreigners
27	Grand Japanese-style music (Wafu rock)gēmu myūjikku		Hot game music that fuses Japanese-style and rock
28	“PRANA” – Naruto – Exhibition Main ThemeYoshida Kyōdai		Shamisen by the Yoshida Brothers, theme song for the Naruto exhibition
29	Tokusa-gari (Scouring Rush Cut)rakugo debayashi		Danshi’s stage entrance music “Tokozukari” originates from Kabuki.
30	The sun rises.saundotorakku		The iconic track “The Sun Rises” from Okami is striking.
31	Awa Odori (Awa Dance Festival)matsuribayashi		The Awa Odori festival music is hot.
32	sixth dansōkyoku		The representative koto piece “Rokudan” is beautiful.
33	Samurai RiderYoshida Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Yoshida is a Japanese-style composer and a visual music artist.
34	Spirit of TaikoKodo		Kodo: A Pioneer of Japanese Music Fusion
35	AwakeningTsugaru shamisen shūdan Hayate		A soul-stirring performance by the Tsugaru shamisen ensemble Hayate
36	Lots of BeatlesKoto Shiki no Kai		Playing Western music and J-pop on the taishogoto
37	Genroku Cherry-Blossom Viewing Dancenagauta		Period drama banquet BGM and rakugo debayashi
38	heartbeatYoshida Kyōdai		The Yoshida Brothers of Tsugaru-shamisen are active.
39	Kagemusha2CELLOS		The music of Kurosawa’s films, the allure of a true individualist
40	[Healing Effect] A soothing Japanese-style music medley that feels like an autumn festival [BGM for Work]Royalty Free Music		A medley of elegant, Japanese-style songs with the atmosphere of an autumn festival
41	Sakura Variationssōkyoku		Miyagi Michio’s koto piece to listen to during cherry-blossom viewing
42	Statement Four Wisdom Sanskrit HopeKōyasan Nanzan Shinryū		Shomyo performance of Mount Koya: Hymn to Mahavairocana (Dainichi Nyorai)
43	25-string kotosakura		Kasumi Watanabe’s enchanting 25-string koto, Sakura
44	Tsugaru Jongara-bushihanawachie		Jonkara-bushi, a representative folk song of Tsugaru shamisen
45	Moon over the Ruined CastleNoie Gassōdan		The taishogoto is an instrument that can be played on a tabletop.
46	The Subscription ListWajuku Kotsuzumi Tai		The timbre of the small hand drum awakens the spirit of Wa (Japanese harmony).
47	Kabuki Gomen-Jyo [Japanese drums]Wadaiko Saiza		A masterful taiko drum piece brimming with sensitivity, still popular around the world.
48	Yoshiwara Lament LIVE 2017Wagakki Band		The allure of Wagakki Band: beautifully refined performances
49	Voice and Performance as One VOL.1 ‘Heart Sutra’seimei ongaku raibu		Musical live performance of the Heart Sutra
50	Isn’t she lovelyŌhira Mitsumi, hoka		A koto and jazz session—surprisingly harmonious
51	raccoon dogIchikawa Seizan		The mainstream of the shamisen traces back to the Edo-period hosozao (thin-neck) style.
52	Shamisen & Tap DanceShimura Ken & Biito Takeshi		Ken Shimura makes headlines with a Tsugaru-shamisen collaboration
53	Wadaiko + drum performance [Leap Forward]Garyū		A new music unit that fuses Japanese taiko drums and a drum set
54	Wagaku: Heart Sutra PopKineya Nanami Shachu with Semimaru P		The pop version of the Heart Sutra by Wagaku resonates with the heart.
55	SHI-BU-KIHayashi Ei & Kinoshita Shin’ichi		A dazzling virtuoso collaboration of taiko drums and shamisen
56	SenbonzakuraBiwa ensō		A rare video covering 'Senbonzakura' on the biwa
57	A serious Lupin the Third with traditional Japanese instruments!Mahora wagakki ansanburu		Music captivated by a Japanese-style arrangement of Lupin
58	I tried playing “Roku Chōnen to Ichiya Monogatari” (Six Trillion Years and One Night Story)Koto Manon		Playing 'Roku Chōnen to Ichiyamonogatari' on the koto.
59	Ecchu Owara BushiWakabayashi Michiko		The kokyū is a Japanese string instrument similar to the shamisen.
60	Nozakirakugo debayashi		The traditional entrance music of a rakugo performer
61	Gagaku Arrangement of ‘Princess Mononoke’Gakūkai		The theme song of the movie Princess Mononoke performed in gagaku
62	Bittersweet Japanese-style BGM		A soothing medley to heal the heart with Japanese-style music
63	Japanese-style EDM compilationOmunibasu (“Koto” by Clozee… )		How to find Japanese-style EDM on YouTube
64	From Zatoichi, FestivoOrijinaru Saundo Torakku		Keiichi Suzuki’s music and rhythm have a distinctly Japanese character.
65	medaka (Japanese rice fish)Senba Kiyohiko to Haniwa Ōrusutāzu		A large ensemble centered on traditional Japanese instruments, with the power of its sound as its appeal.
66	Tsugaru Shamisen / Jonkara Improvisational StrummingYoshida Brothers · Hiromitsu Agatsuma · Shinichi Kinoshita		Overwhelming music by a master of the shamisen
67	Desert of the MoonFujiwara Dōzan		The enchanting Japanese world woven by Dozan Fujiwara’s shakuhachi
68	Shamisen: Kineie Nami (Kineie Nanami); Shakuhachi/Flute/Nohkan: Takei Makoto; Koto: Yamada AkemiShamisen, shakuhachi (fue), koto de Kurumiwari Ningyō o hiite mita		The true ability of popular performers in the classical world
69	Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence performed with traditional Japanese instrumentsMitsuzuka Yukihiko, Ono Mihoko		Evocative traditional Japanese instrumental performance by Entonon
70	Tsugaru Jongara-bushiAgatsuma Hiromitsu		Hiro Mitsune Agatsuma, the consummate art of the Tsugaru Jongara-bushi
71	A powerful live session of Senbonzakura performed with Tsugaru shamisen and Okinawan sanshin.sako-ya & 530		Senbonzakura: a dynamic performance on shamisen and sanshin
72	The condor flies away.Shohei		A superb performance of 'El Cóndor Pasa' on the shakuhachi
73	Wa Rock [Yosakoi ’14 Track]hatenkō		Yosakoi Soran, a lively song, is popular
74	I want to go far away.Wakitani Toshiaki		Eiji Nagae’s radio theme song gains popularity with a shakuhachi cover
75	Passion ContinentNinagawa Beni		Wagakki Band: Ninagawa Beni’s Passionate Shamisen
76	Rising SunSamurai Collection		Introduction to the Samurai Collection “Rising Sun”