Ryuichi Sakamoto Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Tokyo StorySakamoto Ryuichi29rank/position

Tokyo Story – Ryuichi Sakamoto

A masterpiece that captures the city’s breathing in sound.

Featured on the album “Sweet Revenge,” released in September 1994, this piece was inspired by the film “Tokyo Story.” The serene worldview woven by Ryuichi Sakamoto’s delicate sensibilities resonates deeply with listeners.

Its distinctive sound, which deliberately incorporates irregular rhythms, seems to express the multifaceted nature of Tokyo itself.

True to Sakamoto’s reputation as a master of film music, the track is rich in narrative quality.

It’s a perfect song for stepping away from the city’s clamor and taking time for quiet introspection.

a flower is not a flowerSakamoto Ryuichi30rank/position

A Flower Is Not a Flower

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 1997 piece “A Flower Is Not A Flower” can be regarded as one of the special works in his rich discography.

The track was originally contributed to the album of Taipei-born erhu player Kennei Wen, and was later included in Sakamoto’s compilation “The Very Best of Güt,” which collects several of his signature works.

Sakamoto’s musicality spans a wide range, and “A Flower Is Not A Flower” likewise reflects his experimental approach.

As its title—derived from a Chinese saying, “A flower is not a flower”—suggests, the piece explores the essence of things, likely evoking different feelings and thoughts in each listener.

andataSakamoto Ryuichi31rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto – andata

This is a piece whose piano timbre, like being in a quiet church, gently accompanies moments when you want to focus deeply.

It opens Ryuichi Sakamoto’s album “async,” released in March 2017 by the world-renowned musician.

As suggested by its title, which in Italian means “that which has gone away,” the solemn resonance that evokes an awareness of endings is striking.

It was also used in the documentary film “Ryuichi Sakamoto: Coda,” so many of you may remember it.

Simple yet spacious in sound, it strips away unnecessary thoughts and helps you immerse yourself in the task at hand.

It’s perfect for late-night study when you want to calm your mind, or as a companion to creative work.

Why not quietly lend an ear to the beautiful melody left to us by a great musician?

fullmoonSakamoto Ryuichi32rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto – “fullmoon” (from “async”)

Professor Ryuichi Sakamoto needs no introduction—he is one of Japan’s greatest musicians, celebrated worldwide.

The reason I chose to feature Sakamoto’s work under the theme of contemporary music is that, while he mastered the fundamentals of music theory and created many magnificent songs within those formats, he also awakened to contemporary music in his teens and continued composing without being bound by existing forms or rules.

The track fullmoon appears on async, his first original solo album in eight years, released in 2017, and it features vocals.

It’s also intriguing that the lyrics quote text from the novel The Sheltering Sky, for which Sakamoto composed the film score.

The album as a whole carries the concept of a “soundtrack to an imaginary Andrei Tarkovsky film,” making it a work that strongly evokes cinematic imagery.

Try to set aside as many preconceptions about music as possible, and approach it with an open mind.

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KOH-1

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kokoSakamoto Ryuichi33rank/position

koko

Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 2008 track “koko” was released as a single on his first independent label, commmons.

He reportedly considered naming the song “Kokoro” at first, but ultimately settled on “koko” because the original title felt a bit embarrassing—an anecdote that leaves an impression.

The CD containing this work was recorded and produced as a “carbon offset CD,” incorporating carbon offset initiatives as part of greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

Sakamoto’s forward-looking spirit and bold willingness to take on new challenges continues to inspire courage in all of us.

self portraitSakamoto Ryuichi34rank/position

self portrait (Playing The Piano 2009 Japan)

Self Portrait, created by Ryuichi Sakamoto, is an instrumental track released as a promotional video for the album Ongaku Zukan (Illustrated Musical Encyclopedia).

For this album, Sakamoto spent two years jotting down his musical ideas like sketches, resulting in a diverse collection of works.

Incorporating elements of synth-pop, the track also garnered attention for its star-studded collaborations with artists such as Tatsuro Yamashita and Yukihiro Takahashi.

Reflecting Sakamoto’s introspective musicality and experimental approach, the piece is also striking when performed as a piano solo.

Its refreshing melody is perfect for moments of quiet contemplation.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence – Piano Solo FeatureSakamoto Ryuichi35rank/position

Ryuichi Sakamoto – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

When it comes to piano solo pieces I want to play, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Merry Christmas, Mr.

Lawrence” is indispensable.

Its melody, centered on the five-note pentatonic scale, is achingly beautiful—a true classic.

I imagine many people started learning piano after hearing “Merry Christmas, Mr.

Lawrence.” Composed as the main theme for the 1983 film of the same name, it won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Film Music.

It is one of Sakamoto’s most well-known pieces and is included in numerous piano method books.

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Hamada Takuya

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