[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 J‑Pop] Popular winter songs: From chart-topping hits to hidden gems! (91–100)
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
This is a 1989 track by JUN SKY WALKER(S), known as Junsuka, who reunited in 2007 ten years after their 1997 breakup.
It’s a song about a lonely farewell, in contrast to a joyful Christmas.
It depicts how the colorful scenes floating against a white Christmas only heighten the heartache.
The distorted guitar tone further amplifies that feeling.
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.
winter galaxyfuki no tō
This is the 16th single, released in 1980.
It has a mood that seems to seep into the clear winter scenery.
It was reportedly rushed into being released as a single because it was sung so often at weddings and graduation ceremonies.
With its relaxed tempo, it conveys a sense of romance and ease that’s rare to find today.
The harmonies are pleasant and give you a warm feeling.
It’s also included on the self-cover album “ever last,” so be sure to give that a listen as well.
Cry On Your SmileKubota Toshinobu
With Toshinobu Kubota’s warm vocals and melody, “Cry On Your Smile” feels like it softens the cold.
Released in 1987, the song was later chosen as the theme for the 1991 film “Kami-tsukitai” (I Want to Bite You).
It’s a track overflowing with the feeling of cherishing someone deeply, even when you’re far apart.
That warmth seems capable of easing not only winter’s chill but also the heart of someone you love.
When the cold of winter leaves you feeling a bit lonely, why not let this song soothe you?
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!
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.
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.