[For Seniors] Beloved songs to sing in December: heartwarming moments with nostalgic kayōkyoku and children’s songs

Waltz of StarlightSen Masao

Waltz of Starlight - Masao Sen

A gem of a waltz where the sorrow of parting and deep affection intertwine.

The lyrics were written by Sonoeda Shiratori and the music composed by Minoru Endo.

Released as Masao Sen’s single in 1966, it became a major hit in 1968, selling a total of 2.5 million copies.

The protagonist’s feelings—choosing a painful breakup while wishing happiness for a loved one—are deeply moving.

This classic has been covered across Asia, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, and is beloved across borders.

It’s a song I’d recommend for those winter nights when you gaze at the stars and reminisce about young love.

It also lends itself well to an emotionally rich performance at karaoke.

Snow TrainMaekawa Kiyoshi

The Snow Train / Kiyoshi Maekawa - Gaijin’s Japanese Lyrics and Chinese Translation

Snow falls quietly, a train whistle echoes in the distance.

There’s a song that perfectly captures the mood of a winter journey—released by Kiyoshi Maekawa in 1982.

With lyrics by Shigesato Itoi and music and arrangement by Ryuichi Sakamoto, this work boasts an illustrious lineup and features a forward-thinking sound that transcends the bounds of enka.

There’s even a behind-the-scenes story: they spent three days crafting the drum part to evoke the resonance of a taiko drum—testament to their meticulous attention to detail.

How about listening to it while gazing at a snowy landscape and recalling memories of journeys past?

You like whisky, don’t you?Ishikawa Sayuri

You like whisky, don’t you?

Sayuri Ishikawa’s song conjures the image of a grown-up, tranquil scene—lingering over a glass at a bar late at night.

Released in 1991 under the name SAYURI, the track was created as a commercial song for Suntory’s Crest 12-year-old whisky and marked a striking departure from her enka image, embracing a full-on jazz and mood-kayō flavor.

Composed by Makoto Sugii, its refined atmosphere—born from string arrangements and vocals that deliberately forgo enka-style embellishments—harmonizes beautifully with lyrics that feel as if they’re spoken across a bar counter.

Since 2007, it has been revived as the theme for commercials for Kaku-bin and has continued to be covered by many artists, including The Gospellers and Hanaregumi.

Though it presents a different kind of difficulty than enka, why not surrender yourself to its chic vibe and enjoy singing it with ease?

winter scenery

Winter Scenery (Song)

“Winter Scenery,” which was even adopted as an elementary school song in the Taisho era, depicts winter scenes from morning to evening, evoking images of watersides, farmlands, and village landscapes.

Its grand sound conveys a strong will to overcome the cold of winter.

Try listening leisurely while gazing at or imagining the rich natural scenery.

With choral work as beautiful as a hymn, it’s also recommended for group singing at recreational activities or events.

Be sure to listen to this piece that will warm the cold winter.

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Tsugaru Jongara-bushiHosokawa Takashi

Tsugaru Jongara-bushi

A representative folk song from Aomori Prefecture, performed by Takashi Hosokawa at the opening of his December 1978 folk album “Bokyō” (Nostalgia).

With powerful shouts and melodic turns, it vividly sings of Tsugaru’s scenery—Mount Iwaki, apple orchards—and the lives of its people, conveying a deep love for the homeland.

Mitsunori Sasaki’s shamisen creates a sense of speed, and the way it interweaves with Hosokawa’s expansive vocals is breathtaking.

In January 1978, it was also performed on Fuji TV’s “Yoru no Hit Studio,” bringing the brilliance of folk music to audiences nationwide.

Why not hum along with family or friends while picturing Tsugaru’s winter landscape?

A Journey Through Wind and SnowKitajima Saburō

Saburo Kitajima “Kansetsu Nagare Tabi” (Official Audio)

Released in 1980 by Saburō Kitajima, a giant of the enka world, this song was created by the golden duo of lyricist Tetsurō Hoshino and composer Tōru Funamura.

It portrays the life of a traveling performer journeying through the snowbound north with a Tsugaru shamisen in hand.

From childhood, he has roamed from place to place with only his shamisen, and his struggle to live on even amid blizzards is deeply moving.

The lyrics mention northern locales such as Tsugaru, Hakodate, and Otaru, conveying both the harshness of winter and the loneliness of the road.

As the chill of December sinks in, why not hum along while picturing the nostalgic scenery of the far north?

Winter Constellationsakushi: horiuchi keizō

Winter Constellations (with lyrics) - Song (from the 1947 middle school music textbook)

This is a song cherished as a school hymn that makes you want to look up at the clear winter night sky.

With lyrics by Keizo Horiuchi, it vividly depicts a quiet winter night after the wintry wind has stilled, and the starlight pouring from the frozen sky.

Set to a melody by American composer William Hays with Japanese lyrics, it was published in a 1947 textbook and has been sung by many ever since.

In 2007, it was selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Songs, and it continues to be loved as a classic winter piece that evokes the changing seasons.

On a winter night, why not hum it while gazing at the stars by your window? Its translucent melody will gently warm the cold season.