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Joe Hisaishi Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Joe Hisaishi, whose melodies truly strike a chord with the Japanese soul, is recognized around the world.No matter when you listen, they always make you feel nostalgic, don’t they?His stage name, Joe Hisaishi, comes from the famous American producer Quincy Jones.This time, I’ve selected some of his popular songs.

Playlist

Joe Hisaishi Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joe
Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The moving theme song of Howl’s Moving Castle that stirs the heart
2Time to Depart ~Asian Dream Song~sakushi: dorian suke kawa / sakkyoku: hisaishi jō
Time to Depart ~Asian Dream Song~sakushi: dorian suke kawa / sakkyoku: hisaishi jōplay_arrow
A song of hope and courage, a melody that resonates in the heart
3The Pigeon and the BoyHisaishi Joe
The Pigeon and the BoyHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Pazu's trumpet from Castle in the Sky (Laputa)
4To That SummerHisaishi Joe
To That SummerHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The famous song from the Ghibli film Spirited Away resonates in my heart.
5SummerHisaishi Joe
SummerHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A commercial introducing Kirin’s Immunity Care initiative
6Name of LifeHisaishi Joe
Name of LifeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s film music expresses life and self-exploration
7strollHisaishi Joe
strollHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
How to play Totoro’s theme song, “Sanpo”
8My Neighbor TotoroHisaishi Joe
My Neighbor TotoroHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Neighbor Totoro Performance Guide
9Time of DepartureHisaishi Joe
Time of DepartureHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s graduation song, a song of hope and new beginnings
10A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joe
A Town with an Ocean ViewHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Let's practice the song from Kiki's Delivery Service
11Dragon BoyHisaishi Joe
Dragon BoyHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Studio Ghibli’s iconic song from Spirited Away
12strollSakushi: Nakagawa Rieko / Sakkyoku: Hisaishi Joe
strollSakushi: Nakagawa Rieko / Sakkyoku: Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A bright, lively march-style song is perfect for enjoying with your child...
13Carrying YouHisaishi Joe
Carrying YouHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The Laputa theme song is suitable for beginners.
14Path of the WindHisaishi Joe
Path of the WindHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The famous piece from “My Neighbor Totoro,” orchestral version
15Always With MeHisaishi Joe
Always With MeHisaishi Joe
The theme song of Spirited Away.
16The Path of the WindHisaishi Joe
The Path of the WindHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
As an insert song in the Studio Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro, ...
17Ashitaka SeikIHisaishi Joe
Ashitaka SeikIHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
An Emotional Masterpiece Explained: Princess Mononoke
18The Legend of AshitakaHisaishi Joe
The Legend of AshitakaHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s music expresses nature and humanity.
19Village in MayHisaishi Joe
Village in MayHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The melody of My Neighbor Totoro is refreshing.
20The River of That DayHisaishi Joe
The River of That DayHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Spirited Away, a melody that lingers in the heart
21CatbusHisaishi Joe
CatbusHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The music from My Neighbor Totoro was moving when performed by an orchestra!
22First workday of the yearHisaishi Joe
First workday of the yearHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A breezy piece from the score of Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service
23Legend of the WindHisaishi Joe
Legend of the WindHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Nausicaä’s piece—the piano melody is moving.
24Ashitaka and SanHisaishi Joe
Ashitaka and SanHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Composed by Joe Hisaishi, one of Japan’s most renowned composers...
25Oriental WindHisaishi Joe
Oriental WindHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Motoki and Nagano talk about the appeal of Iyemon tea in a commercial.
26againHisaishi Joe
againHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Iconic songs from Spirited Away, moving music
27Howl’s Moving Castle ‘Merry-Go-Round of Life’Hisaishi Joe
Howl's Moving Castle 'Merry-Go-Round of Life'Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The theme song of Howl’s Moving Castle is captivating.
28The girl who fell from the skyHisaishi Joe
The girl who fell from the skyHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The Mysterious Theme Song of Castle in the Sky (Laputa)
29My Neighbor Totoro ‘Sanpo’ (Stroll)Hisaishi Joe
My Neighbor Totoro 'Sanpo' (Stroll)Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
An upbeat and cheerful theme song from a Studio Ghibli film...
30My Neighbor Totoro – Duet VersionHisaishi Joe
My Neighbor Totoro - Duet VersionHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Arrange Ghibli masterpieces for piano duet
31Nausicaä RequiemHisaishi Joe
Nausicaä RequiemHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Composed by Joe Hisaishi, one of Japan’s most renowned composers…
32Mother’s BroomHisaishi Joe
Mother’s BroomHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s classic from Kiki’s Delivery Service resonates with the heart.
33Soot SpritesHisaishi Joe
Soot SpritesHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The song of the soot sprites, Makkuro Kurosuke
34Sheeta’s ResolveHisaishi Joe
Sheeta's ResolveHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A masterpiece that conveys Sheeta's strong determination
35Music of the CelestialsHisaishi Joe
Music of the CelestialsHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The Celestials’ Music in The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
36Paradise LostHisaishi Joe
Paradise LostHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Paradise lost, a wistful piano stirs the heart
37Playful quarrel (chase)Hisaishi Joe
Playful quarrel (chase)Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A tense track that plays during a chase scene
38Ashitaka DiaryHisaishi Joe
Ashitaka DiaryHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The epic music of Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke
39Aboard the Tiger MothHisaishi Joe
Aboard the Tiger MothHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Music of the sky pirates’ ship; the crew’s excitement rises.
40Merry-Go-Round of Life – Duet VersionHisaishi Joe
Merry-Go-Round of Life – Duet VersionHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Introduction to the waltz piece from Howl's Moving Castle
41Chihiro’s WaltzHisaishi Joe
Chihiro’s WaltzHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Spirited Away, Joe Hisaishi's Waltz
42Kiki, Busy as a BeeHisaishi Joe
Kiki, Busy as a BeeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A song that brightly expresses Kiki’s busyness
43DepartureHisaishi Joe
DepartureHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A famous song from Kiki’s Delivery Service that expresses hope and a new journey
44The Boy Who Drank a StarHisaishi Joe
The Boy Who Drank a StarHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A beautiful piece that portrays the relationship between Howl and Calcifer
45Suleiman’s Magic Circle: Return to the CastleHisaishi Joe
Suleiman’s Magic Circle: Return to the CastleHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Suleiman appears, mysterious piano sounds
46MAMMAIUTOHisaishi Joe
MAMMAIUTOHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The sky pirates “Mamma Aiuto Gang” that appear in Porco Rosso…
47Vengeful SpiritHisaishi Joe
Vengeful SpiritHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A high-energy song with the feel of a Tatarigami’s rampage
48Castle in the SkyHisaishi Joe
Castle in the SkyHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
It feels as if some kind of story or adventure is about to begin…
49Days of No ReturnHisaishi Joe
Days of No ReturnHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
In the adult classic Porco Rosso, the protagonist Marco...
50Journey (Dream Flight)Hisaishi Joe
Journey (Dream Flight)Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The strength and fragility of those who face their dreams
51The Princess Who Loves InsectsHisaishi Joe
The Princess Who Loves InsectsHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s heartrending, lonely piano piece
52Kiki’s Delivery ServiceHisaishi Joe
Kiki's Delivery ServiceHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
After all, Joe Hisaishi is indispensable to Ghibli’s music...
53Cinama NostalgiaHisaishi Joe
Cinama NostalgiaHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A musician born in Japan who is active on the global stage...
54The sixth stationHisaishi Joe
The sixth stationHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Lonely and nostalgic on the train
55Kiki’s Delivery ServiceHisaishi Joe
Kiki’s Delivery ServiceHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The heartwarming classic from Kiki’s Delivery Service
56Runner of the SpiritHisaishi Joe
Runner of the SpiritHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The moving piece for the Hakone Ekiden created by Joe Hisaishi
57SpringHisaishi Joe
SpringHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Expressing the anticipation and tension of spring in a piano piece by Joe Hisaishi
58Name of Life from Spirited AwayHisaishi Joe
Name of Life from Spirited AwayHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The Appeal and Impact of the Theme Song from Spirited Away
59My Neighbor Totoro ‘Catbus’Hisaishi Joe
My Neighbor Totoro 'Catbus'Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A lighthearted and mysterious rid—unfolding in the film…
60CatbusHisaishi Joe
CatbusHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
‘Catbus’ is a song that soothes the children at weddings.
61Sky of my hometownHisaishi Joe
Sky of my hometownHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A famous piece composed by Joe Hisaishi that expresses the beauty of Toyama
62To the Adriatic SeaHisaishi Joe
To the Adriatic SeaHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A lyricism that makes you nostalgic for that Adriatic Sea…
63Lady EboshiHisaishi Joe
Lady EboshiHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Expressing Eboshi’s resolve and inner conflict
64Morning in the Slug GorgeHisaishi Joe
Morning in the Slug GorgeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Music that captures a refreshing morning in a valley
65Women Treading the Tatara – Eboshi Tatara Song –Hisaishi Joe
Women Treading the Tatara - Eboshi Tatara Song -Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A work song sung by the women of the tatara furnace, in rhythm with their labor.
66Howl’s Moving Castle: Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joe
Howl’s Moving Castle: Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Introduce the theme song of Howl’s Moving Castle
67boiler bugHisaishi Joe
boiler bugHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The Boiler Room Song of Kamaji
68Robot Soldiers (Revival ~ Rescue)Hisaishi Joe
Robot Soldiers (Revival ~ Rescue)Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Introduction to the Robot Soldiers’ Theme from Laputa
69parting (farewell)Hisaishi Joe
parting (farewell)Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A poignant song that portrays a farewell.
70Twilight BreezeHisaishi Joe
Twilight BreezeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Introduction to the beautiful songs featured in My Neighbor Totoro
71Ponyo on the CliffHisaishi Joe
Ponyo on the CliffHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Ponyo, the fish girl who wishes to become human, and a human...
72Departure — Westward —Hisaishi Joe
Departure — Westward —Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The music of Princess Mononoke is a masterpiece that expresses nature and history.
73On a sunny day…Hisaishi Joe
On a sunny day...Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A refreshing and hopeful piece from the Kiki's Delivery Service soundtrack
74A Town with an Ocean View (from “Kiki’s Delivery Service”)Hisaishi Joe
A Town with an Ocean View (from “Kiki’s Delivery Service”)Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A rare, as if a beautiful seaside town were spreading out before your eyes, ...
75Interaction with the OhmuHisaishi Joe
交流 with the OhmuHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The beautifully terrifying requiem of Nausicaä Requiem
76godsHisaishi Joe
godsHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The lively bustle of a bathhouse where gods gather
77I Became a BirdHisaishi Joe
I Became a BirdHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
I Became a Bird: Arika Takarano’s Free Song
78Porco RossoHisaishi Joe
Porco RossoHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The bittersweet, soothing melody of Porco Rosso
79Runner of the SpiriHisaishi Joe
Runner of the SpiriHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s masterpiece that conveys the emotion of the Hakone Ekiden
80My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi / Hisaishi Joe
My Neighbor TotoroInoue Azumi / Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A famous Totoro tune, playfully performed with both hands
81The Path of the WindInoue Azumi / Hisaishi Joe
The Path of the WindInoue Azumi / Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s masterpiece that portrays the nature in Totoro
82Battle between a Möwe and a CorvetteHisaishi Joe
Battle between a Möwe and a CorvetteHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Battle scene BGM of Nausicaä’s glider, the Mehve
83Distant DaysHisaishi Joe
Distant DaysHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Nausicaä’s Different Values and Feelings Toward the Insects
84Howl’s Moving CastleHisaishi Joe
Howl's Moving CastleHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Studio Ghibli’s popular film Howl’s Moving Castle...
85Stand AloneHisaishi Joe
Stand AloneHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Theme song of Saka no Ue no Kumo, a historical epic
86“Always With Me” to “Reprise” from Spirited AwayHisaishi Joe
“Always With Me” to “Reprise” from Spirited AwayHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A lovely, atmospheric song resonates with the heart.
87Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — OpeningHisaishi Joe
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind — OpeningHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi composed the music for Nausicaä.
88Departures ~memory~Hisaishi Joe
Departures ~memory~Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The moving music from the film “Departures”
89Princess MononokeHisaishi Joe
Princess MononokeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Yoshikazu Mera’s beautiful singing voice adorns the film.
90Promise of the WorldHisaishi Joe
Promise of the WorldHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Theme song of 'Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea,' sung by Chieko Baisho.
91Symphonic Suite “Princess Mononoke”Hisaishi Joe
Symphonic Suite “Princess Mononoke”Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A moving work that makes you feel the importance of nature
92Symphonic Suite “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind”Hisaishi Joe
Symphonic Suite “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind”Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The music in Nausicaä is powerful and captivating.
93Departure ~To the West~Hisaishi Joe
Departure ~To the West~Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The moving song from Princess Mononoke, a blessing for the journey ahead
94Theme song of the movie ‘Princess Mononoke’Hisaishi Joe
Theme song of the movie 'Princess Mononoke'Hisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The music of countertenor Yoshikazu Mera
95Mother of the SeaHisaishi Joe
Mother of the SeaHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
A beautiful theme song that portrays the allure of the sea
96Crimson WingsHisaishi Joe
Crimson WingsHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Included on the image album for “Porco Rosso”…
97Kiki’s Delivery Service: Original Soundtrack Music CollectionHisaishi Joe
Kiki’s Delivery Service: Original Soundtrack Music CollectionHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Ghibli movies and Joe Hisaishi’s music are the best.
98Bird personHisaishi Joe
Bird personHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
Joe Hisaishi’s moving music expressing the harmony between nature and humanity
99Marco and Gina’s ThemeHisaishi Joe
Marco and Gina’s ThemeHisaishi Joeplay_arrow
The relationship and feelings between Marco and Gina come vividly to mind…
100Nahoko (Encounter)Hisaishi Joe
Nahoko (Encounter)Hisaishi Joe
A fateful love between two people who met amid war and earthquakes