Songs from From Up on Poppy Hill. Theme song and insert songs.
From Up on Poppy Hill, released in 2011, was directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Gorō Miyazaki.
It’s a coming-of-age story set in Showa-era Japan, imbued with a sense of romance and retro charm.
While its historical backdrop gives you a lot to ponder, the film has an easygoing feel that lets you savor that era of Japan with both your eyes and ears.
In this article, I’ve put together the main theme and insert songs from From Up on Poppy Hill.
By all means, don’t just listen to the songs—watch the film itself as well.
You’ll enjoy the music in this article even more that way.
- Songs of Studio Ghibli: List of Theme Songs, Insert Songs, and BGM from Ghibli Music
- Songs from Whisper of the Heart: theme song and insert songs
- Songs from Spirited Away: theme song and insert songs
- The Wind Rises songs: theme song and insert songs
- Songs from Howl's Moving Castle: theme song and insert songs
- Songs from Castle in the Sky (Laputa): the theme song and insert songs.
- Songs from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Main theme and insert songs.
- The songs of Pom Poko. Theme song and insert song.
- The song from Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Theme song and insert song.
- Songs from 'When Marnie Was There': theme song and insert songs
- Songs from Porco Rosso. Theme song and inserted songs.
- The song from My Neighbor Totoro. Theme song and insert song.
- Song(s) from The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. Theme song and insert song(s).
Songs from From Up on Poppy Hill. Theme song and insert songs (1–10)
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
An insert song from the Studio Ghibli film From Up on Poppy Hill.
Ue o Muite Arukō is sung by Kyu Sakamoto, and in the film it is used in a scene where the song is heard coming from a television.
The person who recommended this track was Producer Suzuki, who spent his youth in 1963, the year in which the film is set.
After watching this work and hearing this song, didn’t many people feel a wave of nostalgia?
signal flag(s)Takebe Satoshi
Set in the Showa era just before the Tokyo Olympics, From Up on Poppy Hill.
This is a single brimming with nostalgia that perfectly suits the film’s backdrop.
The gentle, soothing piano melody is beautiful.
Just like the title “A Heart Longing for Mother,” it has a certain warmth and an embracing atmosphere that is truly calming.
It’s a comforting piece that gives a sense of security—how about making it your last song before bed?
With love. UmiTeshima Aoi
The song “With Love, Umi,” included in the From Up on Poppy Hill song collection, is recognized among fans as a long-distance love song about Kazama, who has gone far away, and Umi, who waits for his return.
Looking at the title and lyrics, you can indeed feel Umi’s unwavering feelings.
It’s a song that makes you hope they trust each other even while apart and walk toward a bright future.
Songs from From Up on Poppy Hill. Main theme and insert songs (11–20)
Welcome to the Latin QuarterTakebe Satoshi
Here’s the soundtrack that welcomes you when you enter the boys’ cultural club facility, “Quartier Latin.” It’s mid-tempo, but its bouncy shuffle rhythm is super jazzy and incredibly stylish.
With instruments like saxophone and trumpet, it sounds like a ska band! This chic song is a perfect match for the atmosphere of Quartier Latin—definitely a must-listen!
Dawn ~ The Breakfast Song (Film Version)Takebe Satoshi
Every morning, our protagonist Umi raises a flag in a spot visible from the route to school.
Here’s the soundtrack for that moment: a tune whose cheerful accordion melody and timbre linger in your ears.
The melody is incredibly catchy—you’ll remember it after just one listen.
Before the music kicks in, you can hear snippets of everyday life, and there are curious percussive sounds, too—full of playful touches.
Be sure to make this track your companion on your walk to school.
Navy Swell (Chorus) (Movie Version)Takebe Satoshi
One of the insert songs in this work is the choral piece “The Indigo Swell,” which also features Teshima.
Inspired by Kenji Miyazawa’s poem “To the Students,” the first verse was written by Hayao Miyazaki and the second by Goro Miyazaki.
When you listened to the song, didn’t the melody remind you a bit of a school anthem? In the film, too, it was striking how the students sang it like a school song while Mr.
Tokumaru was talking about the charms of the Quartier.
Quartier LatinTakebe Satoshi
An extremely important building in the film is the boys’ cultural club facility, “Quartier Latin.” It’s already quite dilapidated, sparking a debate over whether it should be torn down.
Here is the theme song for that history-filled building.
As you’d expect from an old structure, it exudes a very nostalgic atmosphere.
It’s a curious track whose tempo changes partway through.
Be sure to listen to it while taking in the appearance of Quartier Latin as shown in the film.