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Music

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.

My Neighbour Totoro Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, brought to life
on stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company
The family’s move to the countryside,
recreated live on stage
Soot sprites swarming live on stage,
just as you remember them from the film
Joe Hisaishi's iconic score,
performed by a live band and singer
Musicians play from treehouses
above the stage at every performance
Winner of six Olivier Awards
and five WhatsOnStage Awards
The beloved Totoro made real, with puppets
built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Totoro and the Catbus, live Satsuki and Mei, live in London The soot sprites are real Hisaishi's score, live nightly Musicians in the treehouses Award-winning, final months Six Olivier Awards Book your seats From screen to stage Choose your date Book tickets Book tickets Book tickets See Totoro live

More From Our Music Archive

  • black and white portrait of mariya takeuchi japanese city pop singer known for plastic love and the revival of 1980s city pop music online.

    Everything You Need to Know About Japanese City Pop

    By Jihyun Lee

    19 December 2021

  • lo fi anime girl studying at night with headphones listening to lo fi hip hop music in a calm bedroom setting representing relaxation focus and mental health benefits

    Lo-fi Hip-Hop Music: Mental Health & Focus Benefits

    By Jihyun Lee

    8 November 2021

  • Analysing The Top 10 Songs from Studio Ghibli Films

    By Aaron Ang

    29 June 2021

  • japanese band performing live with guitars drums and vocals representing modern japanese music culture including jpop rock and alternative music scenes.

    Japanese Musicians You Should Be Listening To

    By Samantha Arnaldo

    12 May 2021

  • japanese lo fi hip hop

    Top 10 Japanese Inspired Lo-fi Hip-Hop Youtube Channels

    By Simon Martin

    17 May 2020

  • Enka

    10 Best Enka Songs That Define Japan’s Timeless Sound

    By Lee O'Neill

    12 May 2020

  • peaceful japanese zen interior view overlooking mount fuji with cherry blossoms and calm lake evoking ambient music relaxation meditation and emotional reflection.

    3 Relaxing Albums by Japanese Composers

    By Cleary Mallard

    3 April 2019

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My Neighbour Totoro Studio Ghibli’s beloved film, brought to life
on stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company
The family’s move to the countryside,
recreated live on stage
Soot sprites swarming live on stage,
just as you remember them from the film
Joe Hisaishi's iconic score,
performed by a live band and singer
Musicians play from treehouses
above the stage at every performance
Winner of six Olivier Awards
and five WhatsOnStage Awards
The beloved Totoro made real, with puppets
built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
Totoro and the Catbus, live Satsuki and Mei, live in London The soot sprites are real Hisaishi's score, live nightly Musicians in the treehouses Award-winning, final months Six Olivier Awards Book your seats From screen to stage Choose your date Book tickets Book tickets Book tickets See Totoro live
Rebellious Bodies Butoh Festival 2026
16 Oct to 22 Nov 2026
Three generations of butoh on one UK stage, for the first time
Mitsuyo Uesugi returns to The Place after 46 years
London · Bangor · Newcastle · Norway
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Final show 3 Jan 2027 My Neighbour Totoro Book tickets

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