[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: Wintery J‑Pop & Christmas Songs [2026] (111–120)
Love & Happiness (Let’s Be a Santa)Hirai Dai
Set against the special season of winter, this warm song carries a message of sharing love and happiness.
It expresses the wish to give love like Santa Claus, woven together with a comforting melody.
Released in November 2022 as part of a collaboration project with Starbucks, it was created in harmony with the holiday season’s theme.
Filled with Dai Hirai’s signature, love-infused lyrics, it’s a heartwarming track.
In the everyday hustle where we often forget to appreciate those we cherish, this song gently reminds us of the importance of sharing love.
[Songs to Listen to in December] J-Pop and Christmas Songs that Feel Wintry [2026] (121–130)
Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN
A heartwarming love story portrayed through the chill of winter.
Released by BUMP OF CHICKEN in December 2002, this song gently yet poignantly depicts a couple’s relationship against a snowy backdrop.
It uses the cold of winter as a pretext for the two to draw closer, expressing their bond through differences in stride and the rhythm of their footsteps.
The delicate emotions woven into the winter scenery resonate quietly with listeners.
Since its release, it has remained a beloved staple of the winter season.
It’s a recommended track when you want to etch the bittersweetness of love and winter landscapes into your heart, or when you feel like immersing yourself in memories with someone special.
Winter Hot MusicYUI
It’s a song that expresses through music the things everyone goes through in winter—mornings are so cold you can’t get up or leave the covers, you know you have to wake up but end up falling back asleep—and it’s easy to relate to.
I’d love to greet the morning listening to YUI’s uniquely cute lyrics and voice.
Jin jin jingle bellMoritaka Chisato
It’s a Christmas song with an unforgettable “shan-shan” sleigh-bell sound.
The cute lyrics make it a great choice to sing with young children.
The melody is very catchy and easy to remember, letting you fully savor the Christmas atmosphere.
GIFTICEx
A pop love song that delivers a heartwarming gift on Christmas night.
It’s ICEx’s fourth single, released digitally on December 25, 2024.
The gentle soundscape evokes images of snowy scenery and holiday lights.
The lyrics express gratitude to a loved one and a desire to keep spending time together, leaving listeners with a cozy, contented feeling.
If you listen to it with your partner, you might just fall even more in love.
White ChristmasJUN SKY WALKER(S)
A love song that weaves a poignant breakup story in the romantic season of Christmas.
While the title evokes images of a pure white snowy landscape, the song actually paints an indelible picture of a parting scene unfolding in a torrential downpour.
Released in November 1989, this track by JUN SKY WALKER(S) became the band’s first number-one hit on the Oricon charts.
It was also featured in a commercial for Matsushita Electric (now Panasonic) promoting their CD radio-cassette player, earning widespread acclaim.
In this work, the punk rock band takes on a ballad, skillfully contrasting the city’s glamorous Christmas atmosphere with the protagonist’s heart swaying with a sense of impending separation, creating a unique world of its own.
It’s the perfect song for spending a winter night alone or soothing a heart unsettled by love.
Tonight is a Hearty PartyJuice=Juice
This work, a cover of Mariya Takeuchi’s classic song, is brimming with fun and warmth.
It portrays how people forget their everyday worries and gain energy for tomorrow through parties with friends.
It’s included on a single set for release in February 2025 and has also been chosen as a TV program theme.
When it was first performed at the Nippon Budokan in November 2024, the Christmas party–themed production reportedly brought the house down.
It’s the perfect track for when you want to enjoy time with friends or when you need a boost of energy.