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[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.

1980s Japanese Music: Popular Winter Songs. From hit tracks to hidden gems! (1–10)

Rizo Raba -Resort Lovers-NEW!bakufū suranpu

It may have a strong summery image, but in fact it’s a unique song that vividly portrays scenes at a winter ski resort as well.

Sung by Bakufu Slump, the piece uses biting irony to express the thrill of resort romance and the emptiness behind it.

Released as a single in July 1989, it was also included on the album “I.B.W.” It became widely known as a Cosmo Oil commercial song, and it’s also remembered for ranking third on the final episode of the music show “The Best Ten” that same year.

Set to a catchy melody, the lyrics depict the push-and-pull of love that repeats even as the seasons change.

If you want to recall the glamorous atmosphere of the bubble era, or if you listen to it in the car on your way to the slopes, the heat of those days is sure to come rushing back.

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Last Christmas EveNEW!Yazawa Eikichi

A hidden winter masterpiece sung by Eikichi Yazawa, who continues to reign as one of Japan’s iconic rock stars.

While Yazawa is strongly associated with a hard-rock image, his performance of a delicate, lyrical ballad like this one is equally captivating.

Reportedly, the melody came to him on a Keikyu train, and the song—simple yet evocative—conjures up a romantic nightscape.

Released as a single in November 1983, it also drew attention at the time as the theme for a Johnnie Walker Red Label commercial.

Though recorded during the production of the album “I am a Model,” it was initially left off the album and has since been cherished by fans.

It’s the kind of Christmas song for adults that you’ll want to savor quietly on a winter’s night with a glass in hand.

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Snowlit TownNEW!saitou yuki

Yuki Saito, a top idol representing the 1980s who continues to shine today as a skilled actress.

This work is included on the album “Yuki no Danshō Sound Sketch,” released in December 1985 as a related piece to the film “Fragments of Snow – Passion,” in which she starred.

The contrast between the snowy scenery painted by Takashi Matsumoto and the artificial lights seeps into the heart, carried by Takao Kisugi’s poignant melody.

Although it was never released as a single, its serene beauty has made it a beloved hidden gem among fans.

On a winter night when the cold bites, if you want to sit quietly and reflect in a warm room, why not listen to Yuki Saito’s crystal-clear singing voice?

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[80s J-Pop] Popular Winter Songs: From Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (11–20)

Midnight Flight – A Lonely Christmas EveNEW!Hamada Shogo

A hidden gem by Shogo Hamada that portrays the loneliness of spending time alone at an airport, in stark contrast to the festive air of Christmas Eve.

It was included on the mini-album “CLUB SNOWBOUND,” released in November 1985, and was also used as an insert song in the TV anime “Ping Pong THE ANIMATION.” The protagonist, burdened by the magnitude of a lost love and unspoken feelings, is depicted dramatically over a rich, ’60s-style sound.

By deliberately giving it a glittering musical tone, the poignancy of the lyrics stands out even more.

It’s a song I recommend for winter nights when you long for connection, or when you want to quietly sink into sentimentality.

Shogo Hamada’s wistful vocals may gently keep company with a lonely heart.

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Before Christmas comesNEW!Watanabe Marina

When the signs of winter begin to creep in, there’s a bittersweet love song I suddenly find myself wanting to hear.

Sung by Marina Watanabe—who was also popular during her time with Onyanko Club—this hidden gem paints a true-to-life portrait of unrequited love, a different flavor from glitzy party anthems.

Set against everyday scenes like walking home from a seminar or passing a shop with a red roof, it captures a girl’s wavering emotions as she hopes he’ll notice her feelings before a special day arrives.

Released in October 1986 as the B-side to her debut single “Shinkokyuu Shite” (“Take a Deep Breath”), the song may not have had a specific tie-in, but it remains a perennial favorite among fans.

Why not listen to it on a night when you want to step away from the city’s bustle and quietly think about someone you like? Its pure expression of young love is sure to leave you feeling warm.

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Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko

Kyoko Koizumi’s “Kogarashi ni Dakarete” sings of a heartbreaking love kept secret in one’s heart.

Released in 1986, the song is also well known for having been written and composed by Toshihiko Takamizawa, the guitarist of THE ALFEE.

The following year, THE ALFEE released a self-cover of the track.

It depicts a scene where a love that sprouted in the cold season goes unspoken, burning only within the heart without ever reaching the other person.

This wistful, melancholic song may well resonate with your own hidden feelings of love.

SAKI
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Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo

Sadness Like Snow (ON THE ROAD 2011 “The Last Weekend”)
Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo

When the chorus comes on, a lot of people might feel like singing along.

This is Sadness Is Like Snow, a signature song by Shogo Hamada, a singer-songwriter from Hiroshima Prefecture.

It was released in 1981 as his 14th single, and when it was used as the theme song for the 1992 TV drama As Long As We Have Love, a remake version was released.

The original’s simple, straightforward arrangement is wonderful, but the 1992 version’s deep, mature soundscape is also very appealing.

Both are outstanding in their own right.

It’s a poignant winter song that reflects on the missed connections between people.

Araki Jakkan
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