[Songs to Listen to in December] J-POP and Christmas Songs that Feel Like Winter [2026]

Gather the starsotsumami feat.mikan

Collecting Stars / otsumami feat. mikan [Music Video]

A project where a collective of composers, a visual artist, and a vocalist honed in the idol scene come together as one: otsumami feat.

mikan.

Released in December 2025, this track was chosen as the theme song for the Christmas market held at Kobe TOTTEI PARK.

Its hallmark is the warmth of live instruments—piano, strings, and wind chimes—and the way a melody with a four-beat feel is layered over a three-beat pulse, balancing ballad-like calm with forward momentum.

The lyrics avoid overt Christmas clichés, instead conveying a universal message that brings light to those quietly doing their best.

Mikan’s clear, crystalline voice will gently accompany listeners in their daily lives.

It’s a perfect song for strolling through streets aglow with illuminations or for a peaceful night spent reflecting on the year.

Christmas☆ParadeAsaka

Asaka “Christmas☆Parade” Music Video Full ver.

Marking the 10th anniversary of her artist debut and arriving as the second installment of her three-month consecutive digital release project, a Christmas song by Asaka landed in November 2025.

She penned the lyrics herself, warmly portraying special moments spent with a loved one while sprinkling in winter imagery like city illuminations, frosty breaths, and powdery snow.

The festive, exuberant sound is layered with shimmering bells, combining parade-like splendor with a gentle warmth that seeps into the heart.

In the music video, the sight of an energetic dog dashing through glittering scenes leaves a strong impression, adding a cozy atmosphere that further expands the song’s world.

It’s perfect as Christmas BGM for time with a partner or friends, and it’s a track that longtime fans who have followed her journey as an anisong singer will especially want to hear.

ZeppelinAshita no jokē

Asunojokei – Zeppelin [Official Music Video]

Asunojokei, a one-of-a-kind presence that fuses the ferocity of post-black metal with J-pop-like lyricism, has been drawing significant attention.

This track, included on their album “Think of You,” released in January 2025, premiered alongside a music video shot in the depths of a Hokkaido winter, where the vast snowy landscapes blend seamlessly with the band’s sonic world.

Centered on themes of life and relationships with others, the lyrics—grounded in shouts—carry an uncanny warmth.

Guitarist Tonriki reportedly used single-coil pickups on every song to capture the sound of winter.

If you want to feel a burning spirit amid freezing cold, or are drawn to the coexistence of intensity and beauty, this is the song for you.

On a night lit by illuminations, why not experience something that shakes you to your core?

If we become loversFukushima Sayaka

"If We Become Lovers" Music Video

When Christmas melodies begin to echo through the city, do you ever find yourself thinking of someone special? Singer-songwriter Sayaka Fukushima, originally from Mito City in Ibaraki Prefecture, crafted a Christmas song in December 2025 that warmly intertwines winter cityscapes with tender feelings of love.

Painting seasonal scenes—like the crisp air and the sparkle of shop windows—it carefully expresses the wish to make a loved one smile.

The motif of wanting to deliver dreams and hope like Santa Claus leaves a strong impression, and its down-to-earth emotions resonate beyond mere festivity.

Released as a three-track digital project, the work also includes a song depicting a bittersweet farewell and another born from a collaboration with a sake brewery.

You can savor the flow of emotions from the beginning of love to its end, and then into memory.

It’s a perfect track for a date strolling under illuminations or for keeping you company on a quiet night alone.

Merry Tomo-smassYukitomo

[MV] Merry tomoSmas / Tomoe Yuki

If you’re looking for a sparkling pop song you’ll want to listen to while strolling through Christmas streets, we recommend Tomoe Sachi’s track released in November 2025.

It delicately paints winter-only scenes—the sway of a white coat in the wind, a smile reflected in a shop window, warmth conveyed through gloves—so just listening lets you feel the atmosphere of December.

While the “Tomoe Santa” persona takes center stage, the lyrics resonate by giving you a gentle push to honestly express your feelings to someone special.

Drawing on her experience as a former idol and her popularity from sharing on social media with her husband, the song is bright and cute in a way that’s distinctly hers.

This release also includes a piano arrangement, making it a perfect companion both for lively party scenes and quiet nights.

Listen while gazing at the illuminations, and that winter excitement will soar even higher!

LALALA (Baby it takes two)Hirai Dai

Hirai Dai / LALALA (Baby it takes two) (Lyric Video)

Singer-songwriter Dai Hirai is loved by a wide range of generations for his warm sound rooted in surf rock and acoustic pop.

This is the title track of the EP “LALALA (Baby it takes two),” which was released on November 26, 2025, and it was chosen as the image song for Christmas markets held in five locations across Japan.

The piece features an evocative acoustic guitar tone.

It’s a winter song that sings about the preciousness of everyday life spent with someone special, delivering a message that sharing feelings as a pair brings color to our days—a sentiment that truly resonates.

A perfect track for the holiday season.

SNOW SMILENEW!Shimizu Shota

Shota Shimizu “SNOW SMILE” Music Video (Full Size)

This heartwarming winter song portrays the joy of two people who live far apart finally reuniting, and the bittersweet parting that eventually follows.

Released in November 2014 as Shota Shimizu’s 17th single, it also became well-loved as an insert song for Ikspiari’s projection mapping show “Christmas Carol Clock.” The music video, featuring Nana Komatsu and Kentaro as a couple, drew attention for its sweet-and-sour storyline.

Blending R&B and pop, the sound perfectly suits the crisp winter air.

It’s a recommended track not only for those in long-distance relationships, but for anyone who wants to feel someone’s warmth in the cold season.