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)
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.
Red riverbedTeshima Aoi
One of the songs included in Kokuriko-zaka kara Kashu is Aoi Teshima’s “Akai Mizusoko” (Red Waterbed).
This song is about Umi’s father, a sailor whose ship met with disaster and went missing.
It conveys a mix of complex emotions—grief over the loss of a loved one who will never return and anger toward the war that caused it.
The lyrics depicting her final memories of her father are especially moving—they bring uncontrollable tears.
rainTeshima Aoi
This is “Rain,” Aoi Teshima’s song included in the From Up on Poppy Hill song collection.
Both the lyrics and the melody evoke a profound sadness.
It brings to mind the scene in the film where Umi and Kazama stand in a daze after learning they’re actually brother and sister.
“Rain” feels like a cry—or perhaps a plea—from Umi, crushed by an inescapable reality.
Listening to it is quite heartbreaking.
PartyTakebe Satoshi
In From Up on Poppy Hill, a send-off party is held for Hokuto, who was boarding at the protagonist Umi’s house.
The song playing at that party is this one.
Sending someone off always brings a touch of sadness, doesn’t it? So despite being a party, a sense of loneliness lingers throughout.
It’s a mid-tempo track with a gently restrained rhythm that feels comforting.
What happens at this party is also very important, so be sure to check it out in the film.