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Songs of Studio Ghibli: List of Theme Songs, Insert Songs, and BGM from Ghibli Music

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

Studio Ghibli films, enjoyed by both adults and children, are also famous for their wonderful music.

Every work features songs that perfectly fit the story and leave an unforgettable impression after just one listen.

We’ve gathered not only the popular theme songs and insert songs from Studio Ghibli works, but also image songs that bring back memories of famous scenes and evocative moments.

If you want to listen to Ghibli’s masterpieces or hear again the song that played in that one scene, be sure to check these out!

Howl's Moving Castle (1–10)

Cave of MindJoe Hisaishi

Cave of Mind

Cave of Mind Joe Hisaishi

“Cave of Mind” means “the cave of the heart” in Japanese.

Have you ever felt like there’s a gaping hole in your heart? This piece is perfect for times like that.

The orchestral sound is incredibly powerful.

The layered timbres of various instruments create a cave-like depth.

The combination of this depth and the slow tempo is sure to evoke a sense of sweeping grandeur.

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Sophie's CastleJoe Hisaishi

Sophie’s Castle (Piano) ~ from the film “Howl’s Moving Castle” ~

Joe Hisaishi of Sophie's Castle

Many of you have probably heard this one.

It’s a soundtrack themed around the heroine Sophie’s castle.

The lively, bouncing rhythm and the driving piano make it a memorable track.

In the middle section, it dramatically transforms into a sound dominated by tense, resonant low tones.

It’s a popular piece that lets you enjoy a variety of moods throughout a single song!

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To the Lake of StarsJoe Hisaishi

To the Lake of Stars (Piano) – from the film “Howl’s Moving Castle”

Joe Hisaishi to the Lake of Stars

Howl and his companions travel across mountains and wilderness in the moving castle.

Along the way, they arrive at the Lake of Stars.

Beneath dim, drifting clouds, the deep-blue lake is breathtakingly beautiful.

This piece lets you feel the magic of that mysterious lake.

Its delicate, gentle piano tones seep into the heart.

The calm, unhurried sound throughout brings back the lake’s tranquil scene—doesn’t it make you feel a bit sentimental?

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Waltz of the MagicianJoe Hisaishi

Merry-Go-Round of Life – Howl’s Moving Castle [Piano] / Joe Hisaishi

Joe Hisaishi - Waltz of the Wizards

As you’d expect from a waltz, its triple meter feels wonderfully comfortable.

But this is no ordinary waltz! It’s the “Witch’s Waltz,” so an air of mystery lingers throughout.

The middle section, with its unstable bass rumbling away, is a must-hear.

The tempo sweeps you along at times, then settles into a relaxed, steady pulse—making this a busy but highly recommended piece.

True to its name, the Witch’s Waltz is anything but straightforward.

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Secret GardenJoe Hisaishi

Song From A Secret Garden, Secret Garden, Arr. Chiaki Teranishi, piano

Joe Hisaishi – Secret Garden

In Howl’s Moving Castle, there’s a scene where Howl takes Sophie to a secret garden with beautiful nature.

This is the soundtrack for that secret garden: a simple piano ballad with a mid-tempo rhythm.

It maintains a calm atmosphere throughout.

Since it’s a secret garden, can’t you just picture the quietly blooming flowers and fruit-bearing trees hidden from everyone’s eyes? Listen to this, and you’ll surely feel as if you’ve been whisked away to your own secret garden.

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It's love!Joe Hisaishi

“It’s love, isn’t it?” – Howl’s Moving Castle / Joe Hisaishi

Love, right? Joe Hisaishi

With its relaxed triple meter and seamlessly flowing piano, this piece is wonderfully soothing.

In Howl’s Moving Castle, the protagonist Howl and the heroine Sophie fall in love.

This track captures that sweet, slightly bittersweet feeling of the moment they do.

Its simple, piano-only sound and short length make it an easy, breezy listen.

By all means, give it a spin while recalling the moment you fell in love!

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Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (11–20)

When it comes to dance tracks that became social phenomena!

The theme song of Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, sung by Nozomi Ohashi, was a huge hit. The choreography was adorable as well, and back then kids would often dance along. We’ll be introducing not only that theme song, but also the standout masterpieces used in the film! Related article:The song from Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. Theme song and insert song.

Ponyo on the Cliff (1–10)

Ponyo’s LullabyNozomi Ohashi

"Ponyo's Lullaby" from "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea" played by ocha

Ponyo Lullaby Nozomi Ōhashi

It’s included on the 2008 release “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea Image Album.” The singer is Nozomi Ohashi, who also performed the main theme and became a breakout star.

As the title suggests, it’s a gentle lullaby that naturally makes you close your eyes and listen intently.

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