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 song and insert songs (1–10)
Breakfast SongAoi Teshima
This is also an insert song from From Up on Poppy Hill.
It’s the kind of song that makes you look forward to breakfast.
If you listen to it when you’re hungry, you’ll get even hungrier.
The food that appears in Ghibli films always looks so delicious that if we could step into the anime, we’d definitely want to go eat it, right?
A navy-blue undulationAoi Teshima
This song was written by director Goro Miyazaki and his father, Hayao Miyazaki, based on the poem “To the Students” by the poet Kenji Miyazawa.
It is included in the 2011 album “From Up on Poppy Hill Song Collection,” along with other pieces used in the film.
When I was in my first loveAoi Teshima
One of the insert songs in this work is “In the Days of First Love.” It’s a track perfectly suited to its title, beautifully matched by Aoi Teshima’s pure vocals.
In the film, it plays during the scene where Umi and Shun grow closer.
The song’s lyrics were written by Gorō Miyazaki and Hiroko Taniyama, the music was composed by Hiroko Taniyama, and the arrangement was by Satoshi Takebe.
It’s a gentle song that evokes the bittersweet feeling of remembering a first love in youth.
EscapeAoi Teshima
The piano rhythm at the beginning already puts you in a cheerful, excited mood, doesn’t it? This is “Escape,” a track included in the Kokuriko-zaka kara Song Collection.
Aoi Teshima often sings gentle, mellow songs, but these light and cute tunes suit her wonderfully too.
When you’re worn out by the many constraints of everyday life and feel like you need to break free, listening to this will really lift your spirits.
I look up as I walkKyu Sakamoto
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)Satoshi Takebe
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?
A heart yearning for motherSatoshi Takebe
You’ve probably seen the sun reflecting on a river and turning it golden as it sets.
This piece lets you feel that kind of natural beauty.
The track itself is very short, but paired with its sparse notes, it’s packed with a tender sense of longing.
The slow, flowing melody feels like a real canal.
Doesn’t it make you want to walk along a riverside where the sunset is beautiful while listening to this song?