The J-pop scene of the ’90s was truly a golden era—a time when CDs sold explosively and countless mega-hits were born.
It was also an era when numerous winter songs colored the streets.
Cityscapes glowing with illuminations, white breaths in the cold air, moments spent with someone special.
When you picture those winter scenes, don’t the winter songs of that time naturally resonate in your heart? From bittersweet yet warm ballads to pop numbers that hype up Christmas, this article delivers a rich selection of ’90s J-pop winter tunes—from massive hits to hidden gems.
Whether you’re reminiscing about those days or discovering them for the first time, enjoy these exquisite tracks along with the winter air!
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Winter songs from 90s J-POP. Top popular winter tracks (1–10)
Winter, againGLAY
Released in 1999, this is an iconic winter song that crowned the end of the ’90s! Even for GLAY—already a household-name rock band thanks to a string of huge hits—this track became their biggest success.
TERU’s high notes in the C-melody were a challenge many men tried to tackle at karaoke, but few could pull off perfectly.
GLAY are famously from Hokkaido, and TAKURO’s lyrics brilliantly weave in scenery only someone from Hokkaido could depict.
The impact of the snow-drenched music video, filmed in Biei, Hokkaido, is also unforgettable.
Incidentally, that MV mostly features TERU, so a new version was later created to show all the members more evenly.
White LoveSPEED
A timeless winter song that colored the late 1990s, this was the biggest hit by SPEED, the four-piece group from Okinawa who were taking the world by storm at the time.
It won the 39th Japan Record Award and is said to have sold a total of 2 million copies.
With this track, the group made their first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Beyond the powerful impact of opening with the chorus, the song also showcased a more mature side of the group, who had been known for their energetic releases, and many women were singing it at karaoke back then.
Be sure to pay attention to the contrast between the two vocalists with distinctly different timbres—the younger members, Eriko Imai and Hiroko Shimabukuro!
DEPARTURESglobe
Among the TK sound hits crafted by music producer Tetsuya Komuro that dominated the charts in the ’90s, this classic by globe was a blockbuster, selling a total of 2.288 million copies.
Released on January 1, 1996, it was also featured in a JR SKISKI commercial, and is widely known as a quintessential song that colored the winters of the ’90s.
I fondly remember how it played every winter back then.
The instantly recognizable TK sound driven by electronic programming, KEIKO’s beautiful vocals that so many women tried to take on at karaoke, and Marc Panther’s cool rap—listening to this song brings back memories of those winters from that era any time.
Because it’s a cold nightTRF
Alongside globe’s “DEPARTURES,” one of the quintessential winter songs produced by Tetsuya Komuro is TRF’s “Samui Yoru Dakara.” It’s nostalgic to remember that they were credited as trf in lowercase back then, and the track is also a milestone in the group’s career as their first to break into the Oricon Top 10.
The structure that kicks off right with the chorus—a hallmark golden pattern of the time—is nothing short of perfect.
The gently wistful melody and lyrics are outstanding, and vocalist Yuki’s beautiful voice is remarkable as well.
It’s remained a karaoke staple for years, and it was even covered in Hideaki Tokunaga’s “VOCALIST” series.
Cinderella ChristmasKinKi Kids
A classic winter song by KinKi Kids, perfect for the glittering season.
Released in December 1998 as a double A-side with the single “Happy Happy Greeting,” this track features lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, whose romantic lines—modeled after the fairy tale Cinderella—leave a lasting impression.
With imagery like glass slippers and watching the clock, it captures those bittersweet yet happy moments shared by lovers.
At the time, it was released as a limited edition of one million copies and soared to No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
The lavish strings and comfortable tempo make it ideal for a nighttime drive date under holiday lights.
Revisit this timeless song loved across generations and enjoy it again this winter!
BreathLaputa
Laputa, a flagship band of the Nagoya-kei subgenre that steadfastly upheld its own aesthetics in the ’90s visual kei scene.
The winter scenery they depict goes beyond a mere seasonal song, coexisting with taut tension and beauty.
Released as a single in January 1999, this work also reached living rooms as the opening theme of the TV program “Rank Kingdom.” True to its title, within a worldview where even “breath” seems to freeze white, the interplay of aki’s heartrending, piercing vocals and Kouichi’s meticulous guitar work can only be described as art.
Also included on the album “Sho ~Kakera~ Hadaka,” it remains beloved by fans as a signature number from the band’s later period.
It’s a winter masterpiece that lingers in the history of ’90s visual kei, the kind you’ll want to listen to alone on a frigid winter night, sinking into the silence and its profound afterglow.
STRIPE!Makihara Noriyuki
This beloved winter classic by Noriyuki Makihara—familiar to many as the CM song for Alpen’s “Alpen Winter Fair”—was released in 1998! From the intro, shimmering synthesizer tones ring out, vividly conjuring the contrast between pure white snowy landscapes and bright blue skies.
Makihara handled the lyrics, composition, and arrangement himself, and his pop sensibility—turning even winter’s chill into a thrilling sense of excitement—is nothing short of genius.
The chorus opens up the view all at once, overflowing with a sense of freedom, making it the perfect track for the slopes, whether you’re skiing or snowboarding.
Also included on the album “Cicada,” this song continues to shine as the ideal in-car BGM on your way to winter leisure.
WHITE BREATHT.M.Revolution
When it comes to T.M.Revolution’s summer songs, HIGH PRESSURE and HOT LIMIT come to mind, but for a winter song, it has to be WHITE BREATH.
Released in 1997, it became the biggest hit of his career and earned him his first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen that same year.
The track features a driving digital rock sound characteristic of producer Daisuke Asakura, and lyrics that showcase the playful wordcraft of Akio Inoue, a truly golden duo.
Watching the music video—where he sings in a suit and tie with a bare torso amid a snowstorm—you’re reminded that while Takanori Nishikawa now proudly sports a finely honed physique, he was promoted at the time as a more androgynous character.
SNOWB’z
A hidden gem of a ballad by the rock duo B’z, it evokes a winter landscape wrapped in silence.
Included on the mini-album FRIENDS II released in November 1996, this track reins in the flashy guitar sound in favor of a delicate arrangement that leans heavily on piano and falsetto.
Its worldview—depicting the quiet of a snowy night and a loneliness that spreads through the heart—carries a cold yet beautiful resonance that seems to gently lower the listener’s body temperature.
Though it wasn’t released as a single and had no prominent tie-ins, it holds a special presence for fans, even closing out the ballad best-of The Ballads ~Love & B’z~.
It’s a deeply introspective winter song that makes you want to listen alone on a quiet winter night, far from the bustle.
Someday Merry ChristmasB’z
Among the many classic ballads B’z have created, this song stands out for its particularly high popularity and name recognition.
It’s also a staple Christmas song, and many younger music listeners likely know it.
Interestingly, it wasn’t released as a single; its first appearance was on the conceptual mini-album “FRIENDS,” released in December 1992.
Since then, it has frequently been included on best-of compilations and has become a beloved song over many years.
The music-box intro that echoes the chorus, the warm-toned acoustic guitar, the lyrics that depict delicate, cinematic scenes and shifting emotions—every element is truly wonderful.
There are many versions of this track as well, so be sure to listen and compare them.