[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 Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (11–20)
Christmas in OctoberAsaka Yui
This is Yui Asaka’s fifth single, released in September 1986.
It was used as the commercial song for “Snow Brand Yogurt,” in which she appeared, and was later included on the album “Star Lights.” Although the title references Christmas, the song endearingly portrays a world not of the day itself, but of an impatient, budding love and a promise made a little early.
Megumi Wakakusa’s lavish string arrangement creates a sophisticated wintry atmosphere within the brightness befitting an idol.
It could be called a hidden gem that blends the fresh innocence and bittersweetness of the night before her breakthrough.
Why not listen to it slowly as autumn dusks deepen and the footsteps of winter begin to sound, while letting your feelings swell for someone special?
Midnight Flight – A Lonely Christmas EveHamada 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.
Before Christmas comesWatanabe 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.
Last Christmas EveYazawa 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.
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.
