[2026] A roundup of popular theme and opening songs from TV period dramas

An important genre in the history of Japanese film and television drama is the jidaigeki period drama.

Originally developed in cinema, jidaigeki later declined as a boom, but it went on to find a new home on television and has continued to produce many classics.

Many actors became popular stars through jidaigeki, and unforgettable theme tunes and songs are also indispensable when talking about the genre.

This article presents a roundup of representative jidaigeki theme music and theme songs.

It also includes dramas produced from the 2000s onward, so it’s something viewers of all generations can enjoy!

Playlist

[2026] A roundup of popular theme and opening songs from TV period dramas
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Toyotomi brothers!Kimura Hideaki		The Hot Anthem of the Toyotomi Brothers’ Quest for Unifying the Realm
2	Last Samurai StandingŌmama Kō		The overwhelming soundtrack music of Netflix’s “Ixagami”
3	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō		Theme song of 'Tōyama no Kin-san', a masterpiece by Ryōtarō Sugi
4	Beloved DaysHoriuchi Takao		The Byakkotai theme song moves people across time
5	Lone Wolf and CubHashi to Wakakusa Jidou Gasshoudan		A classic song that portrays the bond and bittersweetness of parent and child through raindrops
6	Someday, the day of loveMitsui Yumiko		Yumiko Mitsui, a disciple of Masaaki Hirao; ending theme of a period drama
7	Flower in the mirror, moon on the waterThe SHIGOTONIN		The theme song of Shigotonin 2009, a melancholic masterpiece
8	In a dreamKobayashi Akira		A theme song that conveys emotion with a deep, mellow singing voice
9	Eve FestivalSatomi Kotarō		An evocative masterpiece that portrays a festival night
10	Spinning Wheel of MemoriesMitamura Kunihiko		The iconic ending theme song of Hissatsu Shigotonin
11	daylilyNakaijō Kiyoshi		Introducing the classic song “Wasuregusa” from Hissatsu Shigotonin III
12	Smile at meSatomi Kotarō		The theme song of 'Choshichiro Edo Nikki' starring Kotaro Satomi
13	Taiheiki Main ThemeSaegusa Shigeaki		Theme song of Taiheiki, Shigeaki Saegusa’s moving melody
14	Man of FireKitajima Saburō		Saburō Kitajima’s period drama theme song, singing of courage and resolve
15	Theme of the Oedo Detective NetworkTAMAKI Hiroki		The theme song of Ōedo Sōsamo: the allure of irregular time signatures
16	A Man’s YearsSatomi Kotarō		Kotaro Satomi's period drama theme song 'Otoko no Saigetsu'
17	Ah, there are tears in life.Satomi Kôtarô, Yokouchi Masashi		The famous song from Mito Komon, singing of life's hopes
18	Theme of the Unruly ShogunKikuchi Shunsuke		The heroic theme song of 'Abarenbō Shōgun'
19	Opening ThemeTsushima Toshiaki		Onihei opening: a masterpiece that’s heavy and brimming with tension
20	in the flower of (one’s) youthMatsukata Hiroki		Theme song of Tōyama no Kin-san, sung by Hiroki Matsukata.
21	Love MandalaUmezawa Fumio		Umezawa Tomio’s “Koi Mandala” is striking.
22	Onihei Crime RecordsKinoshita Tadashi		Onihei Hankachō, a classic theme from a masterpiece period drama
23	Zenigata HeijiKitaōji Kin’ya		The theme song of Heiji Zenigata, a heartwarming performance by Kinya Kitaoji
24	Ōoka Echizen Main ThemeYamashita Takeo		The opening theme of Ooka Echizen has a memorable whistling.
25	Hattori Hanzō: Shadow Warriors Main ThemesupeKUTORAMU		SPECTRUM’s Hattori Hanzō theme song, a track brimming with a sense of speed
26	wishSaigō Teruhiko		A wistful theme song colors the heart of the period drama.
27	The Three Swordsmen Slash! Main ThemeKobayashi Asei		The rousing period drama’s theme song about three masterless samurai cutting down evil
28	Someone in the windKamijō Tsunehiko		A Song of Sorrow and Hope for Traveling Monjirō
29	Dream LightMatsudaira Ken		Makoto Matsudaira’s “Yumeakari” is a famous song from Abarenbō Shōgun.
30	The Whirlwind of Edo Main ThemeHattori Katsuhisa		Edo Whirlwind 2, a cool detective-drama-style theme song
31	Tetego BridgeBābu Satake		The famous parent-and-child travel theme song from 'Lone Wolf and Cub'
32	Song of Momotaro the SamuraiMinami Haruo		The theme song of Momo Taro Samurai, a famous piece by Haruo Minami.
33	shadowChiba Shinichi		Kage no Gundan concludes with Sonny Chiba singing and new costumes.
34	At the end of the wildernessYamashita Yūzō		In the 1970s, Yuzo Yamashita’s masterpiece resonates in the heart.
35	Hama Chidori Love StoryKanazawa Akiko		The memorable ending theme of Hissatsu Shigotonin
36	Gaman HillKitajima Saburō		The shogun’s theme song sung by Saburo Kitajima
37	madder-red cloudskawada tomoko		Hissatsu Shiojin Theme Song - Tomoko Kawada’s Masterpiece
38	Footsteps ~Be StrongMr.Children		A new song that sings of hope and courage for the future
39	A pair of two travelersAmachi Shigeru		Fangs of Edo: the special investigative unit under the town magistrate
40	Wandering SongOzawa Miyuki		Sure-hit, sure-kill melancholy ending theme
41	Set it up, kill, and the sun goes down.Hirao Masaaki		Masao Hirao’s “Hissatsu Shigotonin” Opening Theme
42	A woman is like the sea.Izumi Ayukawa		The moving theme song of Hissatsu Shigotonin V: Gekitō-hen
43	Traveling crowItsuki Hiroshi		Theme song of a period drama based on Shin Hasegawa's original work
44	the sunKatsu Shintarō		The first Zatoichi TV drama is born.
45	Hurry like the windHirata Takao to Serusutāzu		A period drama about a female Nezumi Kozō fighting evil
46	Song of Osen the Traveling SparrowMatsuyama Yōko		The theme song of the period drama “Tabigarasu”
47	DEEPNESSMISIA		MISIA's deep singing voice and expressive emotional power
48	Moonlit Shadow: Theme of Ishikawa GoemonAgatsuma Hiromitsu		Hirokazu Agatsuma's Ishikawa Goemon Theme Song
49	Go with the flowItsuki Hiroshi		A classic enka song that sings of hope and love for life
50	Hurry like the windHirata Takao to Serusutāzu		A masterpiece packed with the charm of Showa-era kayōkyoku (classic Japanese pop)
51	The Black Panther of EdoSugi Ryōtarō		Melancholy and justice of men, the soul of the Showa era
52	Zenigata HeijiFunaki Kazuo		Theme song of Kazuo Funaki’s period drama “Zenigata Heiji”
53	The Young Lord Samurai of Flowering EdoHashi Yukio		The Tale of the Sake-Loving Samurai: Young Lord Samurai Casebook