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Composer Dai Fujikura in an empty theatre

Music

14 October 2026

Dai Fujikura on Reizei, the Album He Wrote for His Shamisen Teacher

Why would a composer write fingerings into a score, then demonstrate them to the shamisen master who taught him? Dai Fujikura explains Reizei....

Music

Kanawanai: Centimillimental’s Opening Theme for Hello, I Am a Witch

In Japanese, kanawanai can mean a wish that will n...

In Japanese, kanawanai can mean a wish that will n...

Written by: Giulia Wilzewski
12 October 2026
Music

Haruki Murakami and Jazz: Peter Cat, the Records and the Novels

At 25, Haruki Murakami put off finishing universit...

At 25, Haruki Murakami put off finishing universit...

Written by: Simon Martin
5 October 2026
Music

Japanese Jazz at EFG London Jazz Festival 2026

Shuya Okino closes this year's London Jazz Festiva...

Shuya Okino closes this year's London Jazz Festiva...

Written by: Simon Martin
22 September 2026

The Sounds of Japan: Exploring Music, Genres & Subcultures

Japan’s music scene is a bold mix of genre-defying sound and cultural storytelling. From the polished pop of J-Pop idols and the nostalgic glow of City Pop, to the experimental edge of Japanese hip-hop, lo-fi beats, and indie rock, the country’s soundscape reflects a culture in constant creative motion.

Our Music section brings you closer to the voices shaping Japan today. Explore features on underground scenes in Tokyo and Osaka, breakdowns of iconic albums, rising artists, and the global reach of Japanese music across anime, gaming, and fashion.

This is your window into a world where sound, identity, and subculture collide—and where Japan’s creative spirit is always turned up to eleven.

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