Masterpieces of Japanese instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.
We’re introducing recommended masterpieces and popular tracks from among Japan’s signature instrumental songs.
Even when we say “instrumental,” there are countless pieces—guitar solos, piano works, bands, jazz—spanning a truly wide range.
Many of you may be unsure where to start listening.
We’ve included plenty of selections, so you’re sure to find a favorite track!
Enjoy a dream playlist performed by superstar players who continue to be loved across generations.
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Masterpieces of Japanese instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks (41–50)
Dash (Run, run!)Sonoda Bando
A popular band that uses a variety of instruments to deliver very clear instrumentals built on highly entertaining, catchy tracks.
Drawing on rock and club music as well, they express the titular sense of momentum with disarming ease, and yet—even amid the headlong rush—the song retains a proper elegance.
A true classic.
Cyclic Red TruckBuffalo Daughter
A Japanese band that has been active worldwide since the 1990s and is also known for its connection with the Beastie Boys.
The track “Cyclic” is included as the first song on their album Psychic, which achieved their highest ranking on the Oricon charts.
Theme of the Silk Road / Silk Road (絲綢之路)Kitaro
Kitaro, a synthesizer player who has won a Grammy as a Japanese artist.
His hallmark—and what makes him remarkable—is crafting grand, expansive compositions that make full use of the distinctive timbres of the synthesizer.
With sounds that feel both ethnic and distinctly Japanese, his music lets you immerse yourself in an oriental atmosphere.
musical brainfoodLITTLE TEMPO
A dub band formed in 1992.
Their songs, rooted in reggae dub, are all wonderfully pleasant to listen to, and once you hear them, they’re guaranteed to stick in your head.
Their performance skills are exceptionally high, so you never get bored listening.
They’re a top-tier, accomplished band active on the front lines.
Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji
A piece composed by Yuji Ohno, a man who could be said to have devoted his life to the TV anime Lupin the Third.
While it has a hard-boiled feel, its up-tempo drive perfectly captures the dynamism of Lupin the Third, in my opinion.
The ‘convulsive’ beauty within sound is a wild shudder that visits the body beyond ideas.te’
This is a post-rock band led by Akihiro Kono, a figure well known among those in the know at Zankyo Records.
They’re also famous for their long song titles, and “The ‘convulsive’ beauty within sound is a wild shudder that transcends ideas and visits the body” is so long it’s hard to remember, right? Just as the title suggests, it’s an emotional track.
Liar GameNakata Yasutaka
Liar Game is a song by Yasutaka Nakata—widely known for producing Perfume and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and often hailed as a genius.
As its title suggests, the track is known from Liar Game, the popular TV drama and film series.