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.
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Songs from From Up on Poppy Hill. Theme and insert songs (21–30)
Red River Valley (Chorus)Takebe Satoshi
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.
Weather GirlTakebe Satoshi
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.
spring cleaningTakebe Satoshi
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!
Rainy Way HomeTakebe Satoshi
When you hear the phrase “a rainy walk home,” what kind of place comes to mind? It gives you a slightly gloomy feeling, doesn’t it? But this piece won’t let you feel that way.
If anything, it carries a buoyant, almost bouncy atmosphere.
The springy piano rhythm and repeating melody are instantly catchy.
And it’s not just fun—there’s a touch of poignancy in the timbre as well.
Why that is—watch the film and find out!
Nostalgic townTeshima Aoi
This is Aoi Teshima’s “Natsukashii Machi,” included in the From Up on Poppy Hill song collection.
It’s a song that really warms the heart.
Although this wasn’t depicted in the film, looking at the lyrics, it seems possible that Umi and Shun might have been separated for a time when Shun went on to higher education.
The song gives me the impression that the two of them meet again and walk together through their nostalgic hometown.
flagTeshima Aoi
This is the song “Flags,” included in the From Up on Poppy Hill song collection.
Speaking of flags, in the story she raised maritime signal flags in her yard every morning to honor her father, a sailor who died after hitting a mine during the Korean War.
After watching the film and then reading this song’s lyrics, it feels like a song that portrays Kazama’s feelings as he wrote a poem about the girl who actually raises the flags.
It also seems as if her father is gently watching over her—though maybe I’m reading too much into it… It’s a very gentle song that resonates deeply in the heart.
spring breezeTeshima Aoi
From the “From Up on Poppy Hill Song Collection,” this is Aoi Teshima’s “Spring Wind.” Around the time when Umi and Shun began to develop feelings for each other in the story, there was an episode suggesting they might be siblings.
Shun tried to remain just friends with Umi, and Umi followed his lead.
In the end, Umi learned the truth about Shun’s parentage and realized it had been a misunderstanding, and this song may be about the resolve she found at that moment.
It’s a ballad with a very quiet, wistful melody that leaves a strong impression, yet the lyrics convey a powerful determination.