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Goodwin, Will. "Musical Instruments of Kabuki." Asiantheatre - Musical Instruments of Kabuki. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

Miller, Terry E., and Andrew Shahriari. World Music: A Global Journey. Concise ed. N.p.: Routledge, n.d. Print.

Rosemary Overell Lecturer in Cultural Studies, University of Otago. "Explainer: What Is K-pop and J-pop?" The Conversation. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

"Jazz in Japan: A History of Tradition and Modernity | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization." Http://www.unesco.org. UNESCO, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

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Music, or ongaku, in Japan has a long history with various different styles and traditions stemming from China. Although opposed to China, Japanese music tends to be much more conservative in that they would much rather preserve the traditional music as it was heard centuries ago. The three most important instruments incorporated into Japanese tradition are the koto (zither), shakuhachi (flute), and the shamisen (lute).

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Two of the earliest forms of Japanese music are Shōmyō and Gagaku; Shōmyō being a distinct style of Japanese Buddhist chant music and Gagaku being an early form of of classical/imperial court music. Something interesting to note is that both styles utilize a pentatonic scale as seen in various other traditions in the region of Asia.

Gagaku
This style, along with the instruments, were actually brought over from China in the early 7th Century. Many different aerophones, chordophones, and membranophones go into the construction of pieces like this. Here is an example of what a traditional Gagaku would sound like back when it was first conceived in the Heian period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OA8HFUNfIk&feature=youtu.be
As you can hear/see, this style of music utilizes many more traditional instruments as compared to Shōmyō. Some of the more prominent instruments being a koto (zither), a biwa (lute), and a ryūteki (bamboo flute). The timbre is very calming and earthy, as the mixture of the aerophones and chordophones sound very in-tune with the natural world. It's not too rhythmically dense and has a simple melodic contour and phonic structure. Seeing as it was performed mainly in imperial court, you can tell that it is quite ceremonial in nature.

Shōmyō
Below is an example of what a traditional Shōmyō ritual would sound like as well as a few more pieces of information about the form. As you can hear, this style of music is very sacred and does not rely on a constant beat or tempo to keep it moving. The phonic structure is quite simple and the melody, even with the introduction of the drum and bell, is not very rhythmically dense. The timbre is very majestic and mystical due to the performers holding notes in unison at a deeper pitch.

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There is many types of theatrical/performance-based music in the Japanese culture, but the two that are largely popular among multiple cultures and are found most prominently are that of Taiko and Kabuki.
Taiko
Taiko (literally meaning "big drum") is a form of musical expression conceived in 1951 by Daihachi Oguchi, who was inspired by Western jazz, specifically the drum kit. It is an ensemble that encompasses the large, low-pitched odaiko used to emulate the kick drum, and high-pitched shimedaiko which emulates rhythms similar to that of the snare drum. Below are some examples of a Taiko performance as performed by the group Ondekoza:
These Taiko performances have an immense amount of kinetic energy out into them and are very powerful displays of music. The timbre is very grounded and is reminiscent of the forces of nature at play (like the crashing waves of a tsunami). It sounds very ceremonial as some inspiration was also drawn from Shinto rituals. It's also incredibly well synced and organized, with an intense, pulsating tempo; the rhythmic density is overwhelming at times.

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Ondekoza is a professional taiko drumming troupe based at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Japan. Formed in 1969, they have been widely influential in introducing and popularizing taiko drumming around the globe. They are known to have set the groundwork for many of the styles seen in taiko today.

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Kabuki
A rather prominent form of musical expression in Japan is Kabuki Theater. This is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on stage by a group of actors who use aragoto, an exaggerated style of dramatic acting, in order to tell a historical story usually revolving around love. It was introduced in the 17th century and was originally performed by both men and women, but is now mainly performed by all men (onnagata). One of it's distinguishing features is the use of keshÿ, which is the white and red makeup that covers each actors entire face. Another distinguishable feature is the use of traditional instruments that go along with the performances offstage (Geza); such as, shamisen,  okedo, dora, rei, and mokkin. Here is an example of a traditional Kabuki as performed by popular Kabuki onnagata Bandō Tamasaburō:
As you can hear the timbre of this tradition is quite romantic yet comedic. It is generally upbeat and higher pitched due to the prominent use of the twanging shamisen.

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Japan's musical influences welcomed many new genres to the scene, some being recognized as Jazz and pop music influenced by, not only Western styles and culture, but other Asian cultures and styles as well.
Below is a piece of a Japanese jazz where the Western influences come through in the utilization of western instruments such as a drum kit, guitar, and the melody of the piano. The upbeat rhythm being played has a catchy tempo and shares an obvious timbre to that of the jazz that originated from the west. This piece has a much more sporadically free rhythm than that of the intensely organized and articulated sounds of traditional Japanese music.

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from the album "ghibli jazz 2" by all that jazz.. this is for all them ghibli fans including me =] 2010 Banana Music Publishing http://bananamusic.jp/

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Japan is home to many other contemporary musical styles; among these, the ones that really show influences through rhythms and melodies are the Japanese styled acoustic, metal, rock, and pop genres.
Anamu & Maki- Aru Ga Mama are nice examples of a Japanese style acoustic song. This piece has a soothing tone to it, and because it's acoustic you can really hear the vocal dynamics of the two female singers due to the different pitches they harmonize in. The western styled melodies are ever-present here in the ornamentation and the phonic structure of this particular selection.

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[PV] Anamu&Maki (アナム&マキ) - Aru Ga Mama (あるがまま)

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Second ending song to the anime series Nabari no Ou from anamu&maki's single of the same name (Aru ga mama). Another great song from these two, from 2008! They can really do no wrong in my eyes - some of the best folk music I've heard.

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What comes to mind when you think of, brightly colored and uniquely dressed girls singing in a high pitch, meticulously choreographed dancing, and highly stylized sets paired with a electronic-based song that has a quick tempo? If you guessed K-pop, then you're incorrect. J-pop was actually a style of music that existed before K-Pop, the former only recently became popular among various cultures. One Japan-native artist definitely fits the description and her name is Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Her hit song 'PONPONPON' is a stylized overload of color and odd imagery, and it is easy to tell where K-Pop found its influences. The sound and style of J-Pop has remained relatively the same since its conception which is why it is not as popular with the younger generations today, hence why it's not as heard of as its other cultural successor.

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What is fascinating about music is that it can inspire more music to be made through collaborations between, artist, languages, and especially cultures; the following artist mentioned are some examples of said collaborations.
Taemin- Sayonara Hitori
Taemin is a Korean artist who released a hit single in Japan, and is among many other Korean artist and bands who release Japanese influenced singles; and in some cases entire albums. "Sayonara Hitori," featured below, was beautifully arranged and shows off a mixture of sounds and melodies between Korea and Japan, as well as including the western-style electronic sounds of dub-step. The rhythm and dynamics along with the vocal range all coming together is nothing short of entertaining for the ears and eyes.
One OK Rock
http://www.oneokrock.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjZqcDYbvAE
One OK Rock  (pronounced in Japanese as "one o'clock") is an Japanese alternative rock band that is heavily influenced by Western music styles. They ditched traditional Japanese instruments and melodies in favor of having a more contemporary lineup (lead vocalist, lead guitar, bass, and drum set). The fusion not only comes in style but in language as well, as they commonly use their native language and English together in their music; with the chorus usually being the part that's in English. The timbre of their music is pretty dark and utilizes deeper pitches, and for the most part deals with heavier themes.They have performed at Vans Warped Tour and Soundwave, and currently have a distribution deal with Warner Bros. in order to release their music in the U.S.