[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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[1980s Japanese Music] Popular Christmas Songs: From Hits to Hidden Gems! (41–50)
Merry Xmas to youOda Kazumasa
This is a classic Christmas song that represents the 1980s, with Kazumasa Oda’s gentle voice and melody resonating in the heart! Released in December 1989 as his fourth single, it was produced as a commercial song for Dai-ichi Life.
Accompanied by striking footage of Oda running across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, it was reportedly aired for only two days.
The lyrics, which balance poignancy and warmth, express the loneliness of not being able to be with a loved one while conveying a heartfelt Merry Xmas—capturing a complex emotional state.
In 1995, it was released with a new arrangement, with live bass and drums adding even more warmth to the track.
It’s the perfect song to listen to on Christmas Eve, filled with feelings for someone special.
Yellow ChristmasSugi Makoto with Pops All Stars
“Yellow Christmas” is a song performed by an all-star lineup called Sugi Masamichi with Pops All Stars.
The members include Sugi, as well as Shogo Hamada, Yoshitaka Minami, Seishiro Kusunose, Pizzicato Five, Mari Iijima, Hi-Fi Set, Yasuhiro Abe, PSY•S, EPO, and others—eleven artists in total collaborating on the track.
Merry Christmas SnowKusunose Seishiro
Beloved by many listeners as a Christmas song whose gentle voice seeps into the heart, it features Seishiro Kusunose’s soft vocals and melody that beautifully paint a winter scene.
The lyrics intertwine a snow-covered townscape with feelings of love, leaving a warm afterglow in the listener’s heart.
Among Kusunose’s solo works, it stands out as an especially memorable track, earning high praise from fans.
Released after Flipper’s Guitar disbanded, this piece showcases the breadth of his musicality.
It’s perfect for a quiet night of relaxed listening or as BGM for spending Christmas with someone special.
WHITE X’MASTHE BLUE HEARTS
You can’t leave out their presence when talking about the Japanese rock scene from the ’80s to the ’90s.
This is a song by the legendary rock band THE BLUE HEARTS that was performed only once, at their Christmas live show in 1985.
The original is the globally renowned Christmas song White Christmas by composer Irving Berlin.
They turned it into a characteristically fast-paced, quintessentially punk sound that’s unmistakably theirs.
Holy Night for LoversIshikawa Yuko
This 1988 release, “Koibito-tachi no Seiya” (Holy Night of Lovers)—am I the only one who feels that the ’80s sound doesn’t feel dated and still holds up today? Yuko Ishikawa’s clear, crystalline voice delivers the lyrics in a straightforward, heartrending way, and there are plenty of songs today with similarly direct, bittersweet lyrics.
Rather than something to listen to as a couple, this feels like a song for an adult to enjoy alone, sinking into old memories and recalling past love.
It’s perfect for that kind of situation.
Highly recommended.
Kissin’ ChristmasKuwata Keisuke & His Friends
It’s a Christmas song created by Keisuke Kuwata, the vocalist of Southern All Stars, singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya, and the KUWATA BAND.
It was used as the theme song for the music program “Merry X’mas Show,” broadcast on December 24 in 1986 and 1987.
Christmas is the big year-end event.
Looking back on the year, you were always by my side… Those feelings are woven into the lyrics of this heartwarming love song.
Couples and married partners should definitely give it a listen.
Christmas Nightsaitou yuki
This song by Yuki Saito, which paints a romantic picture of Christmas night, is her 12th single, released in November 1988.
With lyrics written by Saito herself, it poignantly depicts a special moment shared by two people.
Peaking at No.
49 on the Oricon chart, the song celebrates the preciousness of quiet moments spent in love.
Released as a CD single that included a Christmas card, it’s a track that showcases Saito’s rich musicality and timeless appeal.
A heartwarming ballad recommended for a Christmas night spent with someone special.