Heartfelt: Recommended Touching Ballad Songs for Christmas [2026]

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.
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

When you think of Christmas, many people picture it as an event for couples.

Because of that, there are lots of ballads with a romantic theme among Christmas songs.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of classic ballads that are perfect for the holiday season!

They range from songs that depict happy couples to ones that portray heartbreaking breakups.

Besides love songs, there are also moving tracks that are sure to touch your heart, so be sure to find the one that matches your mood.

Now, let’s dive into the world of Christmas ballads!

Heart-Touching: Recommended Emotional Christmas Ballad Songs [2026] (41–50)

Christmas WishAmuro Namie

Christmas Wish / (Lyric Video)

Christmas WishAmuro Namie

The songstress Namie Amuro’s Christmas song “Christmas Wish.” It had a unique release style: the track was included on a music card sold in 2016 as part of the “Magical Christmas” collaboration with 7-Eleven.

It was later included on her final album, Finally.

Every Christmas season it frequently takes the No.

1 spot on USEN Requests.

The lyrics are adorable, capturing the joy of love coming true and the feeling of eagerly waiting for someone’s return.

It’s a happy number that wishes for a bright future to come.

The fun, bell-like jingling sound adds to the excitement and really lifts your spirits! It’s the kind of song you’d want playing around town or at a Christmas party.

It’s more of a pop song than a ballad, but it’s a Christmas tune that celebrates the miracle of having found each other.

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White LightAmuro Namie

White Light / (Lyric Video)

White LightAmuro Namie

A Christmas ballad by Namie Amuro released in 2005.

Along with glittering, Christmas-like sounds, the crisp beats characteristic of Amuro’s music lightly color the track.

The lyrics depict a couple in love spending Christmas together.

Amuro’s transparent, pure vocals that sing those words create a pristine impression perfectly suited to the holiday mood.

It’s a recommended track for those who want a moderately upbeat Christmas ballad.

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DEAR…againHirose Kōmi

Kohmi Hirose – DEAR…again (Official Video)

DEAR...againHirose Kōmi

When it comes to Christmas songs sung by Kōmi Hirose—also known as the Queen of Winter Songs—this is the one! The lyrics feature a couple in a long-distance relationship.

The female protagonist is portrayed wishing, “Please come home for Christmas!” You can’t help but smile at how eagerly she longs to spend the holiday together, and the deep feelings they share for each other warm the heart.

While Hirose is often associated with brisk, upbeat tracks, she also sings gentler, more subdued songs beautifully.

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Merry ChristmasSaitō Kazuyoshi

Merry Christmas

Merry ChristmasSaitō Kazuyoshi

A singer-songwriter whose songs, with their moving vocals and messages, are beloved by a wide range of listeners—Kazuyoshi Saito.

This track, included on his 17th album “Kazuyoshi,” opens with an intro that evokes a sense of floatiness and depth, conjuring images of Christmas scenes.

The story of trying to get back together with someone you can’t forget by listing all sorts of reasons is likely something many listeners can relate to.

It’s an emotional Christmas song that makes you want to believe in the magic of the season.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Tearful ChristmasMakihara Noriyuki

namidano Christmas

Tearful ChristmasMakihara Noriyuki

If you’re looking for a Christmas song that’s heartbreakingly sad and will make you cry, this is the one.

Noriyuki Makihara’s “Namida no Christmas” (“A Tearful Christmas”) tells the story of a man who gets his heart broken right before Christmas.

The lyrics open with him spotting his ex-girlfriend in town, spending the holiday with her new partner.

The cheerful, blissful atmosphere of Christmas contrasts with the protagonist’s lingering feelings for his ex, soaking into you right down to your core.

The saxophone that comes in during the interlude and toward the end sounds achingly emotional, as if mirroring the state of his heart.

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