Lovely anime song

Songs from From Up on Poppy Hill. Theme song and insert songs.

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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 from From Up on Poppy Hill. Main theme and insert songs (11–20)

ReminiscenceSatoshi Takebe

[Piano] Reminiscence / Satoshi Takebe (from the soundtrack of 'From Up on Poppy Hill')

Remembrance: Satoshi Takebe

This one will put you in such a bubbly mood you’ll want to skip along.

The bouncy, intricate rhythms pair perfectly with the catchy pop melody! It’s extra fun on sunny days, and on rainy ones it’ll fill you with excitement—just that kind of track.

At the end, there’s a punchline-like melodic twist that feels like a short movie.

Be sure to listen all the way through.

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Red River Valley (Chorus)Satoshi Takebe

Here is the song everyone sings in the film to send off Hokuto-san: “The Red River Valley.” Although originally an American folk song, it is beloved in Japan as one of its school songs.

Hayao Miyazaki is said to have sung it in a chorus during his high school days.

There are Japanese lyrics by poets such as Kanji Kobayashi and Hiroo Sakata, but the version of “The Red River Valley” used in the film features newly adapted lyrics by director Goro.

It is a song filled with feelings for someone setting off on a journey.

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Weather GirlSatoshi Takebe

Weather Girl (Piano) ~ from the film 'From Up on Poppy Hill' ~

Weather Girl Satoshi Takebe

In the film, the signal flags play a very important role.

Every morning, the protagonist, Umi, raises these flags for her missing father.

This song is filled with that aching feeling.

The piano melody, played in a relatively high register, is exquisitely beautiful.

Its slow tempo amplifies the sense of sorrow and delicacy.

It’s a song imbued with Umi’s feelings as she continues to raise the signal flags while thinking of her father.

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recollectionSatoshi Takebe

[Piano] Reminiscence / Satoshi Takebe (from the soundtrack of “From Up on Poppy Hill”)

Reminiscence Satoshi Takebe

This one is recommended for those who want to listen to something relaxing and soothing.

The flowing, calm melody makes you feel more at peace the more you listen.

It’s a slow-tempo ballad, but the melody has plenty of notes packed in at times, so you won’t get bored and can enjoy it to the end.

Another highlight is that it’s not a monotonous ballad!

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UnitySatoshi Takebe

Unity (Piano) ~ from the film “From Up on Poppy Hill” ~

Satoshi Takebe Unites

When people come together, it takes a lot of energy, doesn’t it? This piece lets you feel that powerful energy intensely.

The first half features low tones resonating rhythmically, conveying a resolve to move forward with courage.

In the second half, it transforms into a gentle timbre that seems to embrace that strength.

It’s a very short piece, but it’s filled with many emotions.

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dreamSatoshi Takebe

[Piano] Yume / Satoshi Takebe (from the soundtrack of “From Up on Poppy Hill”)

Satoshi Yumetake

If you’re looking for a song packed tightly with a sense of aching poignancy, I recommend “Yume” (“Dream”).

As the title suggests, it’s an exquisitely fleeting piece.

The slow tempo and sparse melody double down on its transience.

Don’t you feel the earnest wish to keep dreaming a phantom-like dream forever? Watch the film, and it’s sure to resonate even more deeply.

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Songs from From Up on Poppy Hill. Theme and insert songs (21–30)

spring cleaningSatoshi Takebe

Big Cleanup (Piano) ~ from the film 'From Up on Poppy Hill' ~

Satoshi Takebe, the Great Cleanup

In the film, the protagonists do a big cleanup to protect the boys’ cultural club building, “Quartier Latin,” whose demolition has been under debate.

It’s a really fun song with a tempo that rises and falls.

The deep bass gives a sense of the weight of a historic building.

When you clean, don’t you often start off sluggish and gradually get more motivated? This song captures that feeling perfectly—highly recommended!

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