[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.
- [Winter Songs] Popular Winter Tunes. Classic Winter Song Masterpieces
- [80s Japanese Music] Popular Christmas songs: from hit tracks to hidden gems!
- Autumn songs that were hits in the 80s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
- [Winter Songs] Classic Showa-era masterpieces. Popular songs you’ll want to listen to in winter.
- Recommended winter songs for people in their 60s. Timeless masterpieces of winter songs.
- [Winter Songs] Recommended Winter Tracks for Women
- [Songs to Listen to in December] J-POP and Christmas Songs that Feel Like Winter [2026]
- A collection of timeless classics! Exquisite winter songs recommended for people in their 50s
- [Nostalgic Classics] Hit Japanese Love Songs from the 1980s
- I want to hear more than just the classics! Hidden gems of winter songs
- Winter songs you'll want to listen to in the cold season! Recommended for the yutori generation
- [For Seniors] Heartwarming Winter Classics: A Cozy Moment with Nostalgic Kayōkyoku and Traditional Songs
- [Winter Songs] Recommended for Instagram Reels! Classic winter hits
[80s J-Pop] Popular winter songs: From hit tracks to hidden gems! (41–50)
Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi
This song is the theme for the film Merry Christmas, Mr.
Lawrence, released in Japan in 1983.
The film is a co-production between Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, and Ryuichi Sakamoto also appears in it.
English musician David Bowie is among the cast as well, and the film has earned a reputation as a masterpiece passed down through the generations.
Its piano-driven melody exudes an indescribable nostalgia, making it a profoundly captivating piece.
[1980s J-Pop] Popular Winter Songs: From Hit Tracks to Hidden Gems! (51–60)
Winter FairyMatsuda Seiko
A number with lyrics by hitmaker Takashi Matsumoto and music by Eiichi Ohtaki.
It’s a track from Seiko Matsuda’s fourth album, released in 1981.
As a renowned top idol who debuted in the 1980s, she remains extremely popular to this day! In live performances, she’s an eternal idol you can’t miss—showcasing adorable steps perfectly suited to the title “Winter Fairy.”
Lovers’ PavementTHE ALFEE
It’s a pleasant, mid-tempo song by THE ALFEE that highlights each member’s individuality and showcases their three distinct charms.
Since its 1984 release, it has gripped listeners’ hearts and became THE ALFEE’s first number-one on the Oricon chart.
It also marked Toshihiko Takamizawa’s debut as lead vocalist, drawing attention for his uniquely high, inimitable voice.
Its romantic atmosphere makes it a perfect song for winter.
White LoverMatsuda Seiko
Seiko Matsuda’s “White Lover” depicts an adorable, heart-fluttering winter crush.
It’s a popular winter song included on her 1980 album North Wind.
Although the romance doesn’t progress as hoped, it doesn’t end in pure sadness; instead, its cute side shines through—so quintessentially Seiko Matsuda! Even if he just won’t turn around, her feelings can’t be stopped, and she doesn’t want to let it end like this.
You can feel that strong resolve, too.
snowNakajima Miyuki
This is a winter song filled with the poignant qualities of Miyuki Nakajima’s signature kayōkyoku style.
It’s included on the 1981 album “Rin’getsū” (Full Term).
It was written with thoughts of Nakajima’s late father.
The regret over selfish things done before his passing makes it a sorrowful piece that feels as if it could be buried beneath the quietly accumulating snow.
It would be nice if we could live in a way that doesn’t let a day with bad memories become the very last day…
On such a lovely daySano Motoharu
It’s a track from the 1983 album “No Damage.” It’s a winter song that sings about an urban, grown-up date: heading out into the winter city with your lover, dining at a stylish restaurant, and dancing to the music.
At the time, Motoharu Sano was shifting from an American sound reminiscent of early Bruce Springsteen to a more British musical approach.
The jazzy, stylish sound remains very appealing even today.
Snow Falling on the SeaŌta Hiromi
Set against a winter seashore blanketed in snow, this work portrays a sudden shift that emerges from the silence.
Hiromi Ota’s translucent voice conveys the delicate emotions of the lyrics with even greater depth.
Released in December 1980, the song is included on the album “The Traveler of December.” The lyrics are striking, evoking unchanging hot tears within the flow of time and flashes of fleeting brilliance.
It’s especially recommended for a stroll along the winter coast.
Delicately depicting stillness and motion, past and present, and the sense of distance that exists between people, it stands as a moving winter classic.