[Songs to Listen to in December] J-POP and Christmas Songs that Feel Like Winter [2026]
December, which wraps up the year, becomes even more beautiful with illuminations lighting up and sometimes snow falling.
There are plenty of events too, like Christmas and New Year’s countdown concerts.
Around this time every year, you hear more Christmas songs and winter tunes on TV and in the streets.
In this article, we’ll introduce winter songs perfect for December, including the latest tracks! From songs that hype up your events to Christmas-themed pieces that warm a chilly heart, enjoy a variety of Japanese winter songs!
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[Songs to Listen to in December] J-Pop and Christmas Songs That Feel Like Winter [2026] (71–80)
MHamasaki Ayumi
A singer-songwriter who rose to such popularity from the late 1990s into the 2000s that she was called a “charismatic high school girls’ icon,” Ayumi Hamasaki became one of the defining artists of the Heisei era’s diva boom.
This is her 19th single.
The song was used in a TU-KA commercial in which she herself appeared, and it is also known as her first single composed by Ayumi Hamasaki under the name CREA.
Its passionate message of love and hints of parting evoke the duality and drama of the winter season.
With an arrangement that is both ethereal and intense, it’s a million-selling hit that you’ll find yourself wanting to listen to when winter comes.
City of StardustGosuperāzu
Among songs by The Gospellers, one of Japan’s premier a cappella groups, a winter recommendation is “Hoshikuzu no Machi” (“Stardust Town”).
Released in 2002 as their 21st single, it was also included on their album A Capella released the same year.
The song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama The Life of Professor Yanagisawa, the Genius, and it reached No.
3 on the Oricon singles chart.
A cappella, performed using only voices, naturally evokes Christmas.
Be sure to listen to “Hoshikuzu no Machi” to heighten the Christmas mood!
With you ～Luv merry X’mas～EXILE ATSUSHI
A gem of a love ballad that paints a warm, tender time spent with someone special on a holy night.
EXILE ATSUSHI’s sweet, richly textured vocals meld with the smooth, R&B-tinged melody, resulting in a track you can savor slowly.
Originally a song by the vocal group LUVandSOUL, it’s also known for being covered in December 2008 by COLOR, a group produced by ATSUSHI.
It’s the perfect song for strolling through streets aglow with illuminations or spending a cozy Christmas night indoors—one that will leave you enchanted by its beautiful harmonies.
everlasting snowAimer
It’s a song by Aimer released in 2016.
The lyrics evoke the image of a snowy town, don’t they? Her clear, translucent voice really seeps into your heart.
How about listening to it on a quiet night alone, sitting on the sofa and sipping some coffee?
silverEVE
This is a song that resonates deeply with the heart as winter arrives.
Its melody is striking—quiet like softly falling snow, yet warm even within the chill.
Chosen as the theme song for the JR SKISKI 2019–2020 campaign, it was released as a digital single in December 2019.
As Eve’s third major-label release, this work beautifully portrays winter scenes.
It makes you feel as if you’re standing in a silver-white world, so it’s especially recommended to listen while gazing at a snowy landscape.
It will wrap you in a gentle warmth that soothes the soul.
DEPARTURESglobe
DEPARTURES is the signature song—and mega-hit single—by globe, the three-member music unit led by Tetsuya Komuro.
Chosen as the CM song for JR East’s “JR Ski Ski,” it became widely known as a winter anthem.
KEIKO’s vocals—at times powerful, at times gentle and warm—draw us into the world of DEPARTURES.
Though it’s a mid-tempo ballad, Komuro’s distinctive sound adds a unique spice to the track.
Christmas Nightatarayo
Atarayo is a Tokyo-based three-piece band with the tagline “a band that grows by feeding on sorrow.” Their 10th digital-only single, “Kurisumasu no Yoru,” features a spacious ensemble centered on piano and strings that conjures a wintry atmosphere.
The lyrics, which recall someone you’ve parted ways with, may evoke that feeling where the glitter of Christmas only makes the pain sharper.
It’s a lyrical mid-tempo ballad whose beautiful yet sentimental melody stirs the heart.