Lovely hit song

[1980s J-Pop] Popular winter songs: from chart-toppers to hidden gems!

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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.

[80s Japanese Pop] Popular Winter Songs: From Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (101–110)

Winter LionOkita Hiroyuki

Singing 'Winter Lion,' the Captain Tsubasa ending theme

Winter LionOkita Hiroyuki

This single, released in 1983, was used as the ending theme for the famous soccer anime Captain Tsubasa.

The lyrics let you feel the fiery spirits of boys sprinting across the field, even in the cold of winter, just like the anime’s worldview.

Blended with the voice of legendary star Hiroyuki Okita, who transitioned from idol to actor, its strength truly makes it a “lion of winter.”

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Sentimental ChristmasHamada Shogo

Sentimental Christmas

Sentimental ChristmasHamada Shogo

A winter masterpiece by Shogo Hamada that delicately portrays lovers braving the cold wind and the scenes of Christmas night.

Included on “Before the Generation of Love” in November 1981, this song continues to be cherished by many as one of the quintessential Christmas songs of the 1980s.

Hamada’s warm vocals and Kimio Mizutani’s delicate arrangement create a track that conveys warmth even amid the winter chill.

Its distinctive sensibility and emotionally rich melodic lines resonate deeply with listeners.

It’s a song you’ll want to play on a cold winter night while thinking of someone special—perfect as background music for Christmas spent with a loved one.

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The Checkers’ Christmas SongChekkāzu

Checkers’ Christmas Song

The Checkers’ Christmas SongChekkāzu

A dreamy Christmas song that colors winter nights.

Included as the B-side to The Checkers’ 1984 single “Julia ni Heartbreak,” this track is marked by its romantic lyrics and warm melody.

With lyrics by Fumiya Fujii and music by Toru Takeuchi, it beautifully depicts a scene celebrating a special night for two, and it remains beloved among fans.

Though a slow-tempo ballad, it retains The Checkers’ signature feel, influenced by rock ’n’ roll and doo-wop.

It unfolds a fantastical world—vows of eternal love beneath a shimmering tree, wishes to Santa Claus, and more.

It’s a heartwarming song that pairs perfectly with winter evenings spent with someone special—why not give it a listen?

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Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō

Northern Fishing Grounds - Saburo Kitajima

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.

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Sha-la-laSazan Ōrusutāzu

Sha-la-la

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!

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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.