Masayoshi Fujita unveils “Portal to the Universe,” the first single from his upcoming album Forest of Tranquility, inspired by nature.
Japanese composer and vibraphone artist Masayoshi Fujita releases “Portal to the Universe,” the first single from his upcoming album Forest of Tranquility. Erased Tapes will release the seven-track album on November 13, 2026.
The project grew from Fujita’s work on the soundtrack for Expo 2025’s living nature installation in Osaka. The six-month event welcomed millions of visitors and featured around 1,500 trees, a pond, and an open-air sanctuary designed to offer visitors a space to rest and reconnect with nature.
Fujita created weather-responsive compositions for the installation. Sensor systems triggered different versions of the music based on sunny, cloudy, or rainy conditions. He also incorporated frog calls to reflect rainfall.
A Soundtrack for Nature and Reflection
“Portal to the Universe” captures the feeling of winding down after a long day. Fujita describes the track as a journey through “the vast universe and the sea of memory.”
The composition combines cicadas, chimes, woodwinds, and distant children’s voices. Meanwhile, acoustic instruments such as marimba, vibraphone, percussion, Armenian duduk, and Japanese shō create its organic foundation. Field recordings of birds and frogs further connect the music to its natural surroundings.
Fujita also leaves plenty of space between each sound. As a result, the music creates an open and immersive atmosphere that encourages quiet reflection.
Forest of Tranquility continues the tradition of Japanese environmental music, or kankyō ongaku. Fujita draws from the work of pioneers such as Hiroshi Yoshimura, Midori Takada, and Haruomi Hosono while developing his own contemporary approach.
The album unfolds across seven long-form pieces that follow the rhythm of a day. Brighter mallet sounds introduce the morning, while the music grows more active around noon. It gradually settles in the afternoon before moving toward quieter evening pieces.
From Rural Japan to a Global Audience
Fujita recorded the album across London, Los Angeles, Paris, Brazil, and Mexico. His creative process also reflects his life in rural Japan. After 13 years in Berlin, he moved to Kami-cho, Hyōgo, in 2020. He now works from a former kindergarten surrounded by mountains, water, and wildlife.
Moreover, Fujita will continue sharing his music with audiences across Asia. Japan ranks among his strongest streaming territories, while South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam also show growing audiences.
Through Forest of Tranquility, Fujita turns natural sounds, acoustic instruments, and electronic textures into an immersive musical experience. The result invites listeners to slow down and reconnect with the world around them.
Listen to Masayoshi Fujita’s “Portal to the Universe” now and immerse yourself in its tranquil blend of acoustic sounds, field recordings, and electronics.
