[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)
Ding DongTOKIO
Layered over a sound that evokes the crisp air of winter, the lyrics portray the importance of trust and bonds, warming the listener’s heart.
This song is a classic Christmas love ballad that sings of straightforward love for someone special and the joy of spending time together.
Released in December 2002, it was also used as the theme song for the drama “Yan Papa,” starring group member Tomoya Nagase, so many people may have heard it back then.
Whether you listen to it during a family Christmas or on a chilly walk home, it’s sure to leave you feeling warm and cozy.
[Songs to Listen to in December] J-Pop and Christmas Songs that Feel Wintry [2026] (121–130)
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.
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.
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.