Joe Hisaishi Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

The Path of the WindInoue Azumi / Hisaishi Joe81rank/position

Path of the Wind (Easy Piano) Slow • Beginner Practice • Introductory Tutorial

This work, which poetically depicts the relationship between nature and humans, is a piece composed by Joe Hisaishi.

It was included in the soundtrack for the 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro, and with its serene, transparent melody, it expresses the beauty of nature like a breeze passing through.

Centered on piano and orchestra, the quiet tone evokes elements of classical and minimal music.

With a relaxed tempo and no complex rhythms, it’s perfect for beginners on the piano! Try playing it while imagining a forest.

Battle between a Möwe and a CorvetteHisaishi Joe82rank/position

The Battle between Mehve and Corvette (from ‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’)

Möwe is the name of the flying device that Nausicaä rides.

In German, it means seagull.

Many people probably admired Nausicaä as she stretched out her legs, glided through the vast sky on the Möwe, and rode the wind.

Corvette is likewise the name of an aircraft that appears in the film.

It has four wings and a distinctive shape with pointed tips.

This is the background music used in the battle scene featuring the Möwe and the Corvette.

Distant DaysHisaishi Joe83rank/position

Distant Days — from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — Joe Hisaishi

Nausicaä was a girl who, from a young age, held values that were a little different from those around her.

This song evokes the sadness of being rejected when she tries to protect the insects and the frustration of not being able to save them in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

Many people may remember it because it is strikingly sung in the voice of a small child in the film.

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Howl’s Moving CastleHisaishi Joe84rank/position

Joe Hisaishi – Merry-Go-Round of Life (from “Howl’s Moving Castle”)

This piece, which also serves as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s popular film Howl’s Moving Castle, has a slow tempo and evokes a sense of grand scale.

It also carries a nostalgic feel, helping you study with calm focus.

Stand AloneHisaishi Joe85rank/position

Stand Alone

“Stand Alone” is a piece by Joe Hisaishi that resembles a grand historical epic, composed as the theme song for the drama “Saka no Ue no Kumo,” which portrays the turbulent era of modern Japan.

The lyrics, imbued with words expressing Japan’s spirit of independence and enterprising ambition, evoke the policies of the Meiji government and the history of Japan’s subsequent development.

Released as the main theme for an NHK special drama, it moved the hearts of many viewers.

In the scene where a friend gives a speech with this song playing, the couple’s hopes for the future and the guests’ warm blessings will merge into one, enveloping the moment in a deeply moving atmosphere.

“Always With Me” to “Reprise” from Spirited AwayHisaishi Joe86rank/position

“Always With Me” / “Reprise” from “Spirited Away” (“Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi”)

This one also has a wonderful atmosphere and has turned out to be a lovely piece.

It’s a song I love—I watched the movie many times and was captivated by the music.

I adore the melody that makes you want to keep listening forever.

It has become a work that makes the xylophone feel incredibly cool.

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — OpeningHisaishi Joe87rank/position

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind Opening Joe Hisaishi [Piano]

This is the opening theme of the film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, titled “The Legend of the Wind.” The composer is Joe Hisaishi.

He went on to score later Hayao Miyazaki works as well, becoming an indispensable presence in Studio Ghibli films.

It is a poignant melody tinged with melancholy, evoking the wind sweeping across the desolate lands of a world laid waste after scientific civilization was destroyed by war.

Departures ~memory~Hisaishi Joe88rank/position

Joe Hisaishi – Departures

A gem-like instrumental piece that colored the film Departures (Okuribito).

The profound tones performed by thirteen of Japan’s leading cellists and the lyrical melodies strike straight to the heart.

Meticulously crafted by Joe Hisaishi, the music beautifully conveys, alongside the film’s themes, both the solemnity and warmth inherent in the profession of a nokanshi—those who prepare the deceased for their final journey.

Also included on the album “Songs of Hope: The Essential Joe Hisaishi Vol.

2,” this work was released as the film’s soundtrack in September 2008 and won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Music that year.

It was also used in the 2010 stage adaptation, where live performances captivated audiences.

This is a highly recommended piece for moments of parting with someone dear—when you wish to quietly send them off while cherishing the memories you shared.

Princess MononokeHisaishi Joe89rank/position

Princess Mononoke Main Theme

From Princess Mononoke.

Yoshikazu Mera is a countertenor.

This song brought him widespread recognition, and in 1998 he became the first recipient of the Theme Song Award as a Special Prize at the 21st Japan Academy Awards.

After Hayao Miyazaki was moved by hearing Mera’s 1996 song “Mother’s Song” on the radio, he selected him the following year to perform for the film.

His beautifully high voice, surpassing even that of many women, has been acclaimed worldwide.

This mysterious piece invites listeners into the world of the film.

Promise of the WorldHisaishi Joe90rank/position

Howl’s Moving Castle – Promise of the World (piano cover)

From Howl’s Moving Castle.

This song by Chieko Baisho, who also voiced the heroine, was used as the theme song.

It was originally composed by Yumi Kimura for her own album, with lyrics commissioned from Shuntaro Tanikawa, but director Hayao Miyazaki selected it as the film’s theme song.

The arrangement is by Joe Hisaishi.

The lyrics embody the lyricist’s wish to embrace hope for the future, and the song wraps the listener in a gentle vocal tone.

“Merry-Go-Round of Life,” used in both the opening and ending, is also performed by Chieko Baisho.