RAG MusicWinter-Songs
Lovely winter song

[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!

[Songs to Listen to in December] J-Pop and Christmas Songs that Feel Like Winter [2026] (31–40)

orionYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Orion, Kenshi Yonezu
orionYonezu Kenshi

Riding the shogi boom, the hugely popular anime March Comes in Like a Lion, based on Chica Umino’s original work, featured in its second season the ending theme Orion, the sixth single released by Kenshi Yonezu in 2017.

As the title suggests, it’s a song written with the winter-constellation Orion as its motif.

It’s a winter love song that gently brings to mind a clear, star-filled sky in the crisp winter air and fills you with warmth.

It’s a track you’ll want to listen to while gazing up at Orion.

My PrincessROIROM

ROIROM ‘My Princess’ Music Video
My PrincessROIROM

This is a love song, the second pre-debut release from ROIROM, the duo of Hiromu Honda and Michi Hamakawa.

Set against a Christmas backdrop, the lyrics are memorable for expressing feelings toward an irreplaceable person.

Winter motifs like candlelight and snowy scenery are woven throughout, creating a romantic world.

Sonically, warm melodies blend with a stylish beat, resulting in contemporary pop that avoids leaning too sweet.

It’s a song that gently stays by your side on a winter night spent with someone special.

I want to fall in love so much that the slopes melt.Hirose Kōmi

Kohmi Hirose / I Want to Fall in Love Until the Slopes Melt
I want to fall in love so much that the slopes melt.Hirose Kōmi

A singer-songwriter in the J-POP scene known as the “Queen of Winter,” beloved for her overwhelming vocal prowess and quirky, funny persona—Kohmi Hirose—released this as her seventh single.

The song served both as the theme for the film “I Want to Fall in Love Until the Slopes Melt” and as a commercial song for Alpen, a double tie-in that has helped it remain a beloved winter classic since its release.

Its melody, marked by piercing high tones, heightens the anticipation of winter, while the refreshing arrangement feels invigorating—an enduring winter song that never loses its shine and blows away the cold.

HappinessAI

This is one of singer-songwriter AI’s signature songs, a highly popular Christmas tune with a bright, cheerful vibe.

Since it was used in Coca-Cola commercials starting in 2011, many people strongly associate it with Coke and Christmas.

The jingle of sleigh bells creates a festive atmosphere that makes you feel excited just by listening.

AI’s powerful vocals deliver uplifting lyrics that, just like the title “Happiness,” fill you with a warm, happy feeling!

A town where it snowsUNICORN

A Town Where It Snows / Unicorn (Cover)
A town where it snowsUNICORN

Snowy Town is UNICORN’s eighth single, released in 1992.

It’s quintessentially UNICORN: a laid-back, mellow vocal delivery with a touch of snark toward the world at large.

Once Christmas ends, the mood of the town changes in an instant, doesn’t it? While watching that frantic city from the sidelines, the song keeps its own pace—calmly chronicling the “ordinary everyday.” It’s also a track you’ll find yourself wanting to listen to as the year draws to a close.

Songs to Listen to in December: J-Pop and Christmas Songs That Feel Like Winter [2026] (41–50)

Because the Christmas tree is beautifulEXILE THE SECOND

EXILE THE SECOND’s first Christmas song overlays the city’s winter illuminations with the memory of a love that lingers in the heart.

Released as a digital single in December 2024, the track features lyrics by SHOKICHI and is a mid-tempo ballad co-written with SKY BEATZ.

Carried by a warm sound with touches of R&B and city pop, it portrays the bittersweet ache of days gone by and a protagonist who still strives to look ahead.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play on a winter night, when memories of that day drift back even though you know there’s no going back.

First Christmas feat. JUNON (BE:FIRST)Reiko

REIKO ‘First Christmas feat. JUNON (BE:FIRST)’ Music Video
First Christmas feat. JUNON (BE:FIRST)Reiko

A collaboration by REIKO and BE:FIRST’s JUNON, portraying a December romance deepening in the cold, leaves you with a warm feeling.

Written and composed by singer-songwriter Shota Shimizu, the song delicately captures the thrill and happiness of spending a first Christmas with a loved one.

Released digitally in November 2024 and included on the EP “Debut” released in December, the track was also performed at “REIKO’s Winterland” held at Billboard Live YOKOHAMA on December 16.

The duo’s crystal-clear harmonies make a perfect soundtrack for couples strolling through city streets aglow with holiday lights.