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.

Playlist

Masterpieces of Japanese instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	TRUTHT-SQUARE		T-SQUARE’s F1 theme song is absolutely thrilling.
2	StaySPECIAL OTHERS		Recommend an instrumental track that's easy on the ears.
3	JumpUP!PE’Z		PE’Z is an instrumental band that combines brightness and melancholy.
4	Merry Christmas, Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi		Ryuichi Sakamoto’s innovative music and film scores
5	SAYONARASAKEROCK		Hoshino Gen’s band SAKEROCK’s song before their breakup
6	Today’s skyNabowa		Nabowa from Kyoto, creators of soothing music
7	The Invention of SolitudeToe		The Allure of a Dreamlike Post-Rock Band
8	summer twilightDE DE MOUSE		A song by DE DE MOUSE that depicts summer scenery
9	SummerHisaishi Joe		The refreshing theme song of Kikujiro’s Summer
10	ONEDEPAPEPE		The heart-resonating music of the two-person acoustic guitar duo DEPAPEPE
11	Theme of Jonetsu TairikuHakasé Tarō		Taro Hakase’s masterpiece that paints passion
12	rydeenYellow Magic Orchestra		Broadcasting to the world as a pioneer of techno music
13	＃1090 〜Thousand Dreams〜Matsumoto Takahiro		A masterpiece showcasing Takahiro Matsumoto of B’z and his dazzling guitar work
14	TAKUMI / ArtisanMatsutani Taku		Theme song of an extreme makeover show, a soothing masterpiece
15	ibizaSawagi		Sawagi band on a South Africa tour
16	Symphonic Suite ‘Dragon Quest’sugiyama kouichi		Dragon Quest theme, a masterpiece that invites you to adventure
17	The CosmosYOUR SONG IS GOOD		YSIG evolved into dance music
18	typhoon→Pia-no-jaC←		Hybrid music of cajón and piano
19	ENGAWA DE DANCEHALLneco nemuru		An instrumental band known for its catchy music
20	Amachan Opening ThemeŌtomo Yoshihide		The morning drama theme by noise musician Otomo Yoshihide
21	sunjizue		A skilled instrumental band hailing from Kyoto
22	Beautiful FlightH ZETTRIO		Virtuosic piano technique, catchy and easy to listen to
23	relivetoconoma		A captivating band with flowing melodies and intricate grooves
24	AkatsukiPE’Z		A renowned band that pursued Samurai Jazz
25	HonyararaSAKEROCK		A popular band with a laid-back vibe and catchy melodies
26	PathToe		toe, a pioneering post-rock band
27	Ghost DanceLITE		A band with progressive elements, popular both domestically and internationally
28	Loop DaigakuinDJ Kentaro		The skills of the man who became the world’s No. 1 DJ at 13
29	Tufted puffinHakasé Tarō		Taro Hakase's signature piece “Beautiful Bird”
30	El Ron Zacapabohemianvoodoo		A Yokohama-based band that fuses jazz and pop
31	BondLITE		The captivating songs of the guitar band LITE
32	Paradise Has No Border feat.NO BORDER ALL STARSToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora		A supreme work of ska music’s freedom and emotion
33	sunflowerHakasé Tarō		Taro Hakase’s violin piece “Himawari”
34	Good Morning CharlieFULLARMOR		Bassist Hidekazu Hinata’s solo project unit
35	Taiyo ni Hoero OP ThemeŌno Katsuo		The melancholy portrayed by Katsuo Ōno, Japan’s manliest man
36	HomesickIchika Nito		Guitar instrumentals with clean tones are popular.
37	Tsugaru Jongara-bushiTerauchi Takeshi		Music that reinvented traditional songs with electric guitar
38	Racing Flashfox capture plan		A modern jazz-rock classic brimming with a sense of speed
39	beat laments the worldNujabes		The musical sensibility and expressive power of a track maker
40	AIMSSPECIAL OTHERS		The beautiful tone of the Fender Rhodes
41	Rootsindigo jam unit		indigo jam unit, moving jazz
42	Asian Dancerfox capture plan		A captivating modern jazz-rock trio
43	Dash (Run, run!)Sonoda Bando		Catchy, fast-paced music with a diverse array of instruments
44	Cyclic Red TruckBuffalo Daughter		An international Japanese band with funky music
45	Theme of the Silk Road / Silk Road (絲綢之路)Kitaro		Kitaro, a Grammy winner, and the sounds of Wa (Japanese harmony)
46	musical brainfoodLITTLE TEMPO		A renowned band captivating audiences with reggae dub
47	Lupin the Third Theme ’78Ōno Yūji		Yuji Ohno, the composer who created the music of Lupin the Third
48	The ‘convulsive’ beauty within sound is a wild shudder that visits the body beyond ideas.te’		Post-rock from Zankyo Records, long-titled tracks
49	Liar GameNakata Yasutaka		Music that colors the Liar Game
50	City LightsFantastic Plastic Machine		Stylish and sophisticated club music
51	Tokyo Disco Music All Night LongKagami		In remembrance of DJ Kagami of Denki Groove’s classic track
52	Fresh Push Breakin’HIFANA		HIFANA: creating music with samplers
53	Summer GoddessSOIL&”PIMP”SESSIONS		Met at a club event in Tokyo in 2001…
54	SkyH ZETTRIO		A piece by H ZETTRIO that paints the sky
55	THE TRICKSTERKAGERO		An unconventional band blending hardcore and jazz
56	SPICAROVO		Legendary band; their signature song “SPICA” is moving.
57	Butterfly Effectfox capture plan		The allure of a trio that has mastered club jazz
58	BLUE LAGOONKōsaka Masayoshi		Enjoying freedom with music that evokes the sea
59	Suite ”→Pia-no-jaC←		Innovative music for piano and percussion
60	Sanadamaru Main ThemeTakayuki Hattori		The historical drama’s theme song features an impressive violin.
61	Grandfather’s 11 monthsKurikōdā Karutetto		Cute music for recorder and ukulele
62	kyakkyaSawagi		A cross-genre dance music band
63	Arabesque No. 1Tomita Isao		Isao Tomita adds new interpretations to the classics
64	SUPER GO!!!!!BOREDOMS		The musical evolution and innovativeness of BOREDOMS
65	AwakeningKen Ishi		The techno world’s signature track, “Awakening”
66	company retreatSAKEROCK		Masterpiece by Gen Hoshino’s band: music that resonates with the heart
67	TorukiaKanno Yōko		Yoko Kanno’s beautiful music resonates around the world.
68	just forgetForce of Nature		The musical world of Samurai Champloo
69	Afro SandGOMA & The Jungle Rhythm Section		A band of rhythm instruments—the didgeridoo is captivating.
70	SamuraiJazztronik		Jaz..., led by Ryota Nozaki, who possesses a diverse array of talents
71	NewsummerboyNATSUMEN		NATUMEN, which fuses diverse genres
72	jah jhakakuruucrew		The appeal of a band representing the noise scene
73	IbukiYoshida Kyōdai		Conveying the allure of traditional culture through the sound of the shamisen
74	Wings ~Hoping for the FUTURE~Oshio Kotaro		Kotaro Oshio: Moving melodies from a single guitar
75	Enveloped by the starry skyTogi Hideki		Traditional instruments play the mysteries of the universe
76	Le RhôneHattori Katsuhisa		Approachable pieces by Katsuhisa Hattori to play on the piano
77	Ballad for Major TakahashiNRQ		Captivating music played on rare instruments
78	SakuraMasa Takumi		An album fusing traditional Japanese instruments and world music
79	PythagoraSwitch Opening ThemeKurikōdā Karutetto		Heartwarming masterpieces played on the recorder
80	I amMorita Manami		TV Asahi’s news theme song, Morita composition
81	YouAgatsuma Hiromitsu		Fusion of contemporary music and traditional Japanese (wa) with the shamisen
82	whistle of the windŌshima Michiru		The graceful music of the morning drama “Asuka”
83	bass drumKodō		The soul of Kodo, who play the taiko with their very life
84	Treasure IslandT-SQUARE		T-SQUARE’s exhilarating jazz fusion
85	Street Stars Breakin’DJ TASAKA		The success of the hugely popular DJ TASAKA