[1980s J-Pop] Popular winter songs: from chart-toppers to hidden gems!
Thanks to eternally beloved hits and the renewed appreciation for city pop, many masterpiece songs from Japanese music of the 1980s continue to be loved by people of all ages even now, well into the 2020s.
With the resort boom and the popularity of leisure activities, a stream of glamorous winter hits was also released.
In this article, we present winter hit songs from 1980s Japanese music!
We’ll cover everything from massive hits everyone knows to hidden gems that weren’t singles but have become beloved winter staples.
If you spent your youth in the ’80s, these will feel nostalgic; if you’re not from that generation, they’ll feel fresh—so be sure to check them out.
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[1980s Japanese Music] Popular Winter Songs: From Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (71–80)
Dreams shatteredNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
A track included on the self-cover album “NEVER CHANGE,” released in 1988.
It’s a song that conveys the feeling of hitting rock bottom—failing in your dreams and losing someone important.
When things aren’t going well, nothing seems to go right no matter what you do.
You end up feeling isolated, thinking it’s only you.
But realizing that even Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi went through slumps like that and climbed back up time and again might ease that loneliness a little, reminding us that we’re all in this together.
That’s sad, isn’t it?Watanabe Misato
Here is a song released in 1987 by Misato Watanabe, who scored a huge hit with “My Revolution” in 1986.
Like “My Revolution,” this track was composed and arranged by Tetsuya Komuro, letting you enjoy Komuro’s musical world with its dramatic key changes.
It can be considered one of the early signature songs of the Komuro sound.
The lyrics were written by Watanabe herself.
The words depict winter scenes, evoking a feeling where cold and sorrow seem to arrive intertwined.
YOUR CHRISTMAST-SQUARE
This is a track included on T-SQUARE’s 14th album, WAVE.
Although “YOUR CHRISTMAS” is an instrumental, it’s a Christmas-themed piece—T-SQUARE’s take on a Christmas song.
It’s quite rare for an instrumental song to be this widely known as a Christmas tune, isn’t it?
80s Japanese Pop: Popular Winter Songs. From Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (’81–’90)
Time of the AngelsOkamura Takako
This is Takako Okamoto’s 12th single, released in 1989.
She debuted with “Matsuwa” at Popcon as part of the duo Amin.
After Amin disbanded, she has been active as a singer-songwriter.
“Tenshi-tachi no Toki” is a Christmas song.
It’s an impressive love song with rhythmic, dramatic melodies and lyrics that express the desire to cherish the time spent with your smiling self.
The refrain is very effective, making it a highly polished track.
loadTHE toraburyū
A song with an emotionally rich melody and lyrics that pierce the heart.
When you listen, you can feel that aching, heartrending emotion that tightens your chest.
Since its release in February 1993, it has been known as a classic that captures people’s hearts and never lets go.
Depicting the sorrow of a man who lost a loved one in a traffic accident, the song reminds us of the importance of the small joys in everyday life.
Listening to it during the biting cold of winter makes it resonate even more deeply.
It’s a song that stays by your side in those moments when feelings for someone precious overflow.
Sha-la-laSazan Ōrusutāzu
That beloved song, cherished by many fans as a timeless classic that continues to shine in our memories.
It was released in November 1980 as the Southern All Stars’ 11th single.
Written and composed by Keisuke Kuwata and performed as a duet with Yuko Hara, it was also included on the cassette-only album “Early Southern All Stars.” The lyrics are striking for their message about a deep bond with a loved one and the feeling that your hearts remain together even when you’re apart.
It’s perfect for a winter night, listening while imagining time spent with someone special against the traditional charm of Yokohama as a backdrop.
And don’t miss the live performances!
Third ChristmasSHOW-YA
A winter ballad by the all-female rock band SHOW-YA that sings of the bittersweetness of Christmas.
Released in December 1988, the song is included on the album “IMMIGRATION,” with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and composition by Kyohei Tsutsumi.
While SHOW-YA is known for powerful female vocals and virtuosic playing, this track stands out for its emotional content rooted in heartbreak and parting.
It vividly captures the uniquely sentimental atmosphere of the Christmas season, and when paired with its rock sound, the song’s depth and weight as a ballad truly shine.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who has parted ways with a lover or is hoping to reunite with someone dear.