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