[80s Japanese Music] Popular Christmas songs: from hit tracks to hidden gems!
As the Christmas season approaches, even those who aren’t particularly into the holiday find themselves unconsciously humming timeless Christmas songs.
Japan’s 1980s music scene—an era that produced countless hits and classics in the nation’s musical history—gave rise to many Christmas songs that are still sung today.
In this article, we’re spotlighting those iconic Christmas tunes born in the ’80s, presenting a diverse lineup that ranges from chart-toppers everyone has heard at least once to hidden gems.
It’s also recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about 1980s kayōkyoku, which in recent years has been drawing keen attention from younger music fans.
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[80s Japanese Music] Popular Christmas Songs: From Chart-Toppers to Hidden Gems! (61–70)
I want to give you a wonderful Christmas present.Kobayashi Akiko
The smash hit song “Koi ni Ochite – Fall in Love -” is included on the album for the drama Friday Wives III.
With “Koi ni Ochite,” she won the 27th Japan Record Awards Composition Encouragement Prize and quickly became a popular singer-songwriter.
CHRISTMAS CALENDARAnri
A hidden Christmas gem crafted by Anri, a defining artist of 80s city pop.
Released in December 1985, the track is marked by its sophisticated sound and groove-filled melody.
It beautifully captures the wintry mood and the warm spirit of Christmas, while the poignant lyrics—looking back on a love that has passed—leave a deep impression.
Issued as the B-side to the single “TROUBLE IN PARADISE,” it never had a commercial tie-in, yet it has continued to appear on numerous compilation albums.
A song you’ll want to play on Christmas night while thinking of someone special.
It’s also perfect for a tender, heartfelt rendition at karaoke.
Blue ChristmasMatsuda Seiko
Seiko Matsuda is a quintessential idol singer in the Japanese pop scene.
Among her many hits, the Christmas-themed song that stands out is Blue Christmas, included on the 1982 album Golden Ribbon.
It portrays a scene of spending Christmas Eve alone, feeling lonely, and sings of a bittersweet yearning while waiting for the person she loves to appear.
With bell chimes and clear, shimmering strings ringing through the sound, her vocals unfold with both strength and fragility.
A beautiful yet fleeting story that resonates as a moving Christmas song.
LAST CHRISTMAS SONGHamada Mari
Here’s María Hamada’s mature Christmas song, “LAST CHRISTMAS SONG,” by an artist who could be called the foremother of female rock singers.
It’s a track she put real effort into—so much so that it was included on her second best-of album, Sincere, and it’s truly an adult Christmas ballad.
The lyrics, which tenderly recount “a youthful love remembered every time Christmas comes,” are wonderful.
Hamada wrote the words herself, and every expression chosen for a love that has ended is gentle.
In that sense, it might be a good song to listen to when getting over a breakup.
Her original album Soar, released to mark the 40th anniversary of her debut, is also highly recommended!
Merry Christmas to the worldOkamura Takako
Here is a classic song that represents the 1980s.
With Takako Okamura’s warm vocals and a message filled with love and peace, it’s a gem of a Christmas song.
Accompanied by the sound of jingle bells in the chorus, the melody evokes powdery snow fluttering through the winter night sky and gently touches the heart.
Okamura’s soft, clear voice beautifully captures both the stillness and warmth of Christmas night.
This track is included on the best-of album “T’s BEST season 2,” released in November 2014.
Presented as the “After Tone VI ver.” with fresh arrangements, it has been refined into an even more captivating piece.
Whether spending Christmas night with someone special or enjoying a quiet moment alone, this work will be by your side in a variety of scenes.
As a new standard Christmas song, it is sure to be cherished for years to come.
Lonely ChristmasMariko Nagai
“Lonely Christmas” is a Christmas song by Mariko Nagai, who hails from Gotemba City in Shizuoka Prefecture.
The song is included on an omnibus album released under the title “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU,” featuring four artists: Akiko Kobayashi, Mariko Nagai, Remi, and Midori Karashima.
Christmas in OctoberAsaka Yui
Yui Asaka’s debut catchphrase was “The girl who came from the Phoenix.” Back in the day, idols always had catchphrases—thinking about it now, it’s kind of endearing.
Her hits like “C-Girl” and “Cecile” are well-known, but this song, “Christmas in October,” is also a beautiful, heartfelt classic.
The lyrics, which sweetly capture a pure maiden’s feelings—“It’s still October, but I’ve already made a promise for Christmas, and I can’t wait for it to come”—are quintessential old-school idol pop.
It was Asaka’s fifth single and was also used in a commercial for Snow Brand’s “Yogul.”