[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! (101–110)
Christmas NightOkamura Takako
“Christmas Night,” by Takako Okamura, portrays a sorrowful parting at Christmas.
Released in 1988 as a double A-side single together with “Refrain,” the song was cut as a single from the album “SOLEIL,” which had come out five months earlier.
Okamura has said that she had actually wanted it to be a fun Christmas song rather than a heartbreak song.
But even romantic snow and city lights become nothing more than a bittersweet scene in the face of the sad reality of a breakup.
It’s painfully moving to think of choosing to part ways—wishing each other happiness—despite still having lingering feelings in your heart.
Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō
This is one of Saburo Kitajima’s signature songs and the track that won the Best Vocal Performance at the 28th Japan Record Awards.
It’s a powerful winter song that celebrates the rugged masculinity of Hokkaido fishermen.
With an intro that rages like a stormy sea, a soaring, hype-inducing chorus, and a growling electric guitar sound, this classic anthem fires up the fighting spirit of men.
Christmas Dayofukōsu
This is the song included on the B-side of Off Course’s 22nd single, “Into the Love.” It is an original Christmas song produced for an FM radio program.
The song was later self-covered by Oda on the album “LOOKING BACK 2.”
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!
Winter GardenMatsuda Seiko
A song included on the 1980 album “North Wind.” It was Seiko Matsuda’s first Christmas song.
Her lustrous vocals are beautiful and match the winter scenes that make you long for someone.
It’s a song about a sweet, girlish heart in the second winter since a relationship began, hoping to deepen their love from here on.
Perhaps it evokes the image of strolling through a winter cityscape.
If it played in town, it might stir a touch of nostalgia along with a more grown-up feeling.
In conclusion
From chart-toppers to hidden gems, we’ve introduced plenty of winter songs born in the ’80s. In recent years, ’80s songs have also become popular with younger generations, so even those who weren’t born at the time may have heard some of them in passing. May you spend this winter with a warm heart, accompanied by these wonderful J-pop winter songs.