Relaxing BGM. Music that calms the mind.
To everyone working hard every day at your jobs and at home—thank you for all that you do.
How about taking a moment to pause and relax?
In this article, we introduce relaxing background music perfect for those times when your mind and body feel a bit tired.
From the sounds of nature we don’t usually pay attention to, to calm music that lulls you to sleep, it’s all music that brings a sense of peace.
Whenever you feel, “I’m exhausted,” or “I haven’t been sleeping well lately,” please give it a listen and let yourself be soothed.
Relaxing BGM. Calming music (1–10)
Like the windNEW!S.E.N.S.
When you’re busy every day and feeling tired, you find yourself craving a gentle melody that soaks into your heart, don’t you? For those moments, I recommend this work, released in November 1993.
Created by the instrumental unit S.E.N.S., it was used as the main theme for the Fuji TV drama “Asunaro Hakusho.” Precisely because there are no lyrics, the beautiful tones of piano and strings quietly stay close to your emotions.
Capturing the bittersweetness of youth, this piece is perfect for a quiet moment before sleep or when you want to spend time alone at a relaxed pace.
Why not let yourself drift on the calm melody and give your heart a rest?
Fubuki ~ Asuka’s Theme ~NEW!Ōshima Michiru
Famous as the theme music for the NHK morning drama series “Asuka,” this piece is an instrumental composed by Michiru Oshima.
It was included at the beginning of the 1999 soundtrack “Asuka Original Soundtrack,” and the performance by world-renowned oboist Fumiaki Miyamoto is deeply moving.
Its gentle melody, evoking a natural breeze, and the warm harmony of the strings slowly seep into a weary heart.
In 2000, it was also featured on the healing-themed compilation album “image,” helping it become a long-loved choice for everyday background music.
It’s a tender piece that quietly stays by your side on restless nights or when you want to pause and take a deep breath.
sunflowerNEW!Hakasé Tarō
This is a piece by Taro Hakase, widely known as the opening theme of the NHK morning drama series Teppan.
It is included on his 14th album, EMOTIONISM, released in September 2010.
Though instrumental, its bright, expansive melodic lines evoke nostalgia and a sense of warmth and embrace.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the piece also came to be cherished as a song supporting recovery.
Its gentle, warm tones that color the start of each day will quietly stay by your side when your heart is weary.
Why not spend a soothing moment surrendering yourself to the crystal-clear melodies that call to mind the tranquil Seto Inland Sea?
Tufted puffinNEW!Hakasé Tarō
Taro Hakase is one of Japan’s foremost violinists, and he also shows his multifaceted talent as a composer and producer.
Featured as the first track on his August 1998 album “Walking with You,” this soothing piece has long been beloved as the ending theme of the documentary program “Jounetsu Tairiku” and as an image song for AC Japan commercials.
Its title, which means “beautiful beak” in the Ainu language, suits the violin’s transparent melody that seems to cut through the air and unfurl a serene landscape in the listener’s mind.
Give it a listen during a quiet moment before bedtime or whenever you want to relax your body and mind.
Theme Song of ‘The Era of the Heart’NEW!Wong WingTsan
Wong WingTsan has worked on numerous film and television scores.
This piece was composed in 2001 as the theme music for NHK E-TV’s long-running program “Kokoro no Jidai: Religion and Life.” It was later included on the album “Farther Than the Sea,” released in October 2003.
The quiet piano tones layered with synth strings create a beautiful melody that seems to convey emotional depth without words.
This instrumental evokes a silence akin to deep reflection or prayer, making it perfect for nights when you want to pause and calm your mind after a busy day.
Its gentle, expansive sound will softly stay by your side.
Path of the WindNEW!Hisaishi Joe
This piece features a melody that seeps into the heart, evoking the presence of nature and the mysterious atmosphere of a forest.
Composed by Joe Hisaishi, its warm resonance—imbued with a quiet, nostalgic feeling—is truly captivating.
It is widely known as part of the score for a Studio Ghibli film released in April 1988.
The anecdote that the world of the visuals was built from the music alone speaks to its high level of craftsmanship.
Perfect for moments when you want to step away from the busyness of daily life and take a deep, cleansing breath.
If you close your eyes and listen at a relaxed pace, gentle landscapes and the scent of summer wind will come to mind, and you’ll feel your heart gradually unwind.
Savor it during a quiet, relaxing night.
Silk RoadNEW!Kitaro
This is the theme music for NHK Special “The Silk Road—絲綢之路—,” composed by Kitaro.
1980年5月にリリースされたアルバム「Silk Road（絲綢之路）」の幕開けを飾り、番組の大きな反響と相まって、全国を席巻する一大現象を巻き起こした。
The sound—woven from the rich resonance of synthesizers and Eastern-style melodies—evokes boundless deserts and an eternal sense of history.
With flashy developments held in check and a structure that gradually expands the space, it frees the heart from the clamor of everyday life.
How about immersing yourself in this vast sonic landscape alone in the stillness of night, sipping tea at your leisure? It’s an evergreen masterpiece of comfort, gently enveloping a weary heart.