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Wedding songs that are perfect for traditional Japanese attire: A roundup of recommended tracks for weddings and receptions

Many couples may be unsure about choosing BGM for weddings and receptions with traditional Japanese attire (wasou).

Many popular wedding songs are Western-style, which can make you wonder, “They might not really suit a wasou scene…” In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs that are perfect for weddings and receptions featuring wasou.

We’ve selected everything from classics to unexpected picks—whether with or without vocals, Western or Japanese, across various genres—so please use this as a reference when choosing your BGM.

Wedding songs that go perfectly with traditional Japanese attire. Recommended tracks for weddings and receptions (41–50).

Palace Museum (Palace Memories)S.E.N.S.

S.E.N.S. / Palace Memories of the National Palace Museum
Palace Museum (Palace Memories)S.E.N.S.

This piece was composed for the NHK Special “The Forbidden City: 5,000 Years of Chinese History Told by Its Treasures.” It evokes the grandeur of the Forbidden City itself, while blending the piano’s beautiful melodies with the gentle timbres of traditional Chinese instruments to create a magnificent, dreamlike atmosphere.

It’s recommended for adding a touch of opulence to a traditional Japanese-style entrance.

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A perfect wedding song for traditional Japanese attire. Recommended songs for weddings and receptions (51–60)

Thank youYoshida Kyōdai

This is a piece by the Yoshida Brothers, sibling performers of Tsugaru-shamisen.

A fusion of shamisen and pop music, “Arigatou” is a calm, emotionally rich track that conveys the shamisen’s deep tenderness.

It can set a solemn, refined entrance scene that evokes the beauty of Japanese tradition.

It also suits traditional Japanese attire and hairstyles.

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The Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki

Miyuki Nakajima “Song of Wheat” Music Video (Short Ver.) [Official]
The Wheat SongNakajima Miyuki

This is a song written by Miyuki Nakajima for the NHK morning drama Massan.

The series portrayed the lives of Nikka Whisky founder Masataka Taketsuru and his wife, Rita.

The lyrics are themed around barley, the raw material of whisky, and the melody features the Scottish folk instrument, the bagpipes—both of which leave a strong impression.

While the wedding standard Ito works well for the exit scene, this song would be a great choice for the entrance.

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AngelMISIA

MISIA’s songs add a chic and romantic touch to weddings.

“Happiness Forever” and “Everything” are popular, but this song is also recommended for a Japanese-style entrance.

It brings a sophisticated feel to the moment when entering in a kimono with a Western-style hairstyle.

It’s also great for night weddings.

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StormYoshida Kyōdai

(Shamisen) – Yoshida Brothers – Storm
StormYoshida Kyōdai

A piece by the Yoshida Brothers, now well-known as Tsugaru-shamisen performers.

The powerful sound of the Tsugaru shamisen gives it a somewhat grand, expansive feel, while the title’s reference to a storm also lends the piece a raw, pressing intensity.

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The Wedding SongKenny G

It’s an instrumental piece performed by American saxophonist Kenny G.

The album that features this track, Breathless, achieved exceptional sales for an instrumental album.

It’s a romantic song that gently and sincerely celebrates marriage.

While it’s popular for letter-reading scenes, it’s also recommended for stylishly accompanying a traditional Japanese-style entrance.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a wide selection of songs perfect for weddings with traditional Japanese attire.

In addition to pieces centered on Japanese instruments, there are also beautiful piano and violin tracks—ranging from instrumentals to vocal songs.

Choose the perfect music to match the atmosphere you want to create for each scene.

I hope this article helps you plan a wonderful wedding reception.