[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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80s Japanese Pop: Popular Winter Songs. From Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (’81–’90)
winter groveogura kei
Kei Ogura, who has the unusual background of having gone from bank clerk to folk singer, enjoys enduring popularity for his clear, beautiful voice and wistful melodies.
This winter song is included on the album “Kaze no Kagami” (Mirror of the Wind).
It’s very dark, but a good song.
Poem of Miso SoupSen Masao
On cold winter days, nothing warms the body and soul like a bowl of hot miso soup, right? This is a song released in 1978 that sings about that love for miso soup.
Most of the song is spoken lines by Masao Sen, expressing his feelings for his hometown and his longing for his mother back home—and for her miso soup.
Listen to it, and you’ll find yourself craving your mom’s miso soup too!
freezing rainHino Mika
Mika Hino covered Akio Kayama’s 1977 debut song and released it in December 1982.
It became a big hit in 1983 as a joint competing release with Kayama; on TV music shows, the two sometimes performed it as a duet or took turns singing.
With this song, Hino appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Holy Night for LoversIshikawa Yuko
A classic song that depicts the beautiful yet fleeting moments lovers spend on Christmas Eve.
Yuko Ishikawa’s sultry vocals and the sparkling, wintery soundscape leave a strong impression.
Included on the mix album “Remember,” released in December 1987, it also gained attention when it was used in JR Tokai’s image commercial “Christmas Express.” As a song that symbolizes late-1980s Japan, it remains in the hearts of many.
This is a track you’ll want to play on Christmas night with someone special—not only for couples, but also a warm, heartening song to share with family and friends.
Valentine KissKunikyo Sayuri
Sayuri Kokusho’s debut song is a classic that people still love today as a winter tradition! Its lyrics compare sweet young love to chocolate, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day.
It’s also charming that her fellow Onyanko Club members provided the backing vocals.
Released on February 1, 1986, it became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the Oricon charts.
For those who spent their youth with it, it’s a nostalgic favorite, while younger generations can also feel its fresh appeal.
As winter comes—especially as Valentine’s Day approaches—you’ll often hear it on TV and radio, so be sure to give it a listen.
Surf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumi
Known by the nickname “Yuming,” singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya has released numerous hit songs, from her own original works to tracks she’s written for others.
Her song “Surf Tengoku, Ski Tengoku,” included on her 10th album SURF & SNOW, was used as the theme song for the film Take Me Out to the Snowland.
Its lyrics, which heighten the anticipation of winter’s snowy landscapes, set hearts dancing alongside an urban ensemble.
Despite never being released as a single, it has become a staple winter song and stands as a representative number of the 1980s.
[80s J‑Pop] Popular winter songs: From chart-topping hits to hidden gems! (91–100)
Snow reportMatsutōya Yumi
When it comes to timeless songs that delicately depict winter scenes of the ’80s, many people are likely to think of this one.
Included on Yumi Matsutoya’s 25th album, “SURF & SNOW,” this track was released in December 1980.
It’s a ballad that gently portrays the melancholy of heartbreak and the hope of reunion, themed around a chance meeting at a ski resort, expressing memories carried by the snow and the changing seasons.
The soft piano and string accompaniment are striking, and the gentle, medium-tempo melody resonates deeply.
It remains beloved by many as a mature love song perfect for quiet winter nights alone.