[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for New Year’s Parties: Nursery Rhymes, Children’s Songs, and Popular Songs to Liven Up Even on Cold Days

Are you having trouble choosing songs to liven up your New Year’s party? When singing with seniors, nothing is more important than nostalgia and familiarity.

We’ve gathered songs that naturally bring smiles, from classic Showa-era hits to heartwarming melodies.

They’re all easy to enjoy just by humming along and clapping, so even those who aren’t confident in their singing can join in with peace of mind.

How about celebrating the start of the new year with songs that resonate in the heart? You’re sure to create warm connections and a wonderful time together!

Playlist

[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for New Year’s Parties: Nursery Rhymes, Children’s Songs, and Popular Songs to Liven Up Even on Cold Days
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	EnchantedJudi Ongu		Judy Ong’s signature song “Aegean Sea,” passionately performed in a pure white dress
2	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Cape of Hokkaido, the soul-stirring classic song ‘Erimo Cape’
3	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		The classic song that sings of dreams and hope, “Itsudemo Yume wo”
4	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		Longings woven in a northern inn, a bittersweet love song
5	January 1stSakushi: Senke Sonpuku/Sakkyoku: Kami Magayuki		A classic New Year’s song, a heartwarming tune
6	campfireSakushi: Tatsumi Seika / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru		The Story of the Children's Song 'Makibi' about Burning Fallen Leaves
7	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s emotion-filled classic, the scene of an izakaya
8	Mount FujiSakushi: Iwaya Konami/Sakkyokuka: Fushō		A song describing the beauty of Mount Fuji
9	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s classic songs resonate with many people.
10	Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi		Hikawa Kiyoshi’s signature songs that resonate with the heart, a Bon Odori staple.
11	A Journey Through Wind and SnowKitajima Saburō		A winter man's journey: the power of the shamisen and song
12	New Year (Japanese New Year)shouka		New Year’s games and a nostalgic children’s song
13	Snowy TownTakayoshio		A classic song that depicts a winter scene in a snow-covered town.
14	Early Spring OdeSakushi: Nakata Akira / Sakkyoku: Yoshimaru Kazumasa		A famous song that sings of early spring’s beauty, with the landscapes of Nagano resonating in the heart
15	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		An inspiring song recommendation perfect for a New Year’s party
16	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s classic that nestles up to the starry sky
17	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s classic that paints the river of life
18	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Timeless songs that sing of hope, moving deeply in the heart
19	Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		A masterpiece depicting Aomori’s snowy scenery and the Tsugaru Strait
20	365 Steps MarchSuizenji Kiyoko		Kiyoko Suizenji’s “365 Days,” a forward-looking song message
21	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Step by step forward, a song of hope, with high spirits
22	Hymn to the Snowy Mountainsdaakudakkusu		A classic song that sings of strength and vitality in snowy mountains
23	Early Spring OdeSakushi: Ichimasa Yoshimaru / Sakkyoku: Akira Nakata		Singing of the early spring chill and a wish for spring
24	Brr, it’s so cold.warabe uta		Let's cheerfully sing 'O Osamu Kosamu' in the cold winter!
25	The Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsMiyahira Rie		A nursery rhyme that depicts how to read the zodiac signs and the reasons they were chosen
26	winter sceneryMonbushō shōka		The Natural and Scenic Beauty in the Taishō-era Song 'Winter Scenery'
27	Kantarō the North Wind Kiddōyō		Kantaro brings the arrival of winter and the cold wind
28	Song of the Seven Herbswarabeuta		An important event to pray for health with nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge).
29	Kimigayokokka		Japan’s national anthem features a distinctive gagaku (ancient court music) melody.
30	Love RadiantMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s classic, a song that resonates with the heart
31	Ozasiki SongWada Hiroshi to Mahina Sutāzu, Matsuo Kazuko		Liven up your New Year’s party with “Ozashiki Kouta”
32	snow camelliaKobayashi Sachiko		Sachiko Kobayashi’s “Yukitsubaki” is a masterpiece that portrays the strength of women.
33	Daikoku-samaMonbushō shōka		Daikoku-sama is a traditional folk song that suits the New Year, with a heartwarming melody.
34	Octopus SongMonbushō shōka		Let's enjoy kite flying at the New Year's party
35	Winter nightMonbushō shōka		A nostalgic Japanese scene on a winter night
36	It’s okayHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa’s songs deliver hope in life.
37	When I turn around, the Sea of JapanItsuki Hiroshi		Introducing Hiroshi Itsuki’s famous songs about the Sea of Japan
38	Album of MemoriesSakushi: Masuko Toshi / Sakkyoku: Honda Tetsuma		A heartwarming song about memories from kindergarten
39	Come, springSakushi: Soma Gyofu / Sakkyoku: Hirota Ryutaro		An old, nostalgic children’s song that has endured the winter and awaits the spring
40	Northern SpringSen Masao		A classic song that portrays the spring scenery of the northern country and a longing for one’s hometown
41	wintering swallowMori Masako		A classic that sings of a swallow’s budding love—a heartwarming piece
42	What a nice bath.Za Dorifutāzu		A legendary classic song that joyfully sings about hot springs!
43	Ladybug Sambacherisshu		A dreamy masterpiece depicting a forest wedding, heartwarming
44	Pechka (a type of Russian masonry stove)Sakushi: Kitahara Hakushū / Sakkyoku: Yamada Kōsaku		A gentle hymn of hope that enjoys winter with the warmth of the pechka and awaits the coming of spring.
45	mochi poundingSakushi: Kobayashi Junichi / Sakkyoku: Nakada Yoshinao		New Year's rice-cake pounding, a fun children's song
46	New Year (Japanese New Year)Sakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro		The joy and memories of children enjoying the New Year
47	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		Rimi Natsukawa of Okinawa, the classic song Nada Sou Sou
48	The Journey of TwoŌkawa Eisaku		Eisaku Okawa’s moving song: deep bonds and hope
49	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		A masterpiece that views parting in a positive light—Ozaki’s song.
50	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Song of Departure, Carrying Hopes and Memories
51	skiingMonbushō shōka		A refreshing scene of skiing in the snowy winter mountains
52	snowMonbushō shōka		A perfect song for a New Year’s party in the snowy season
53	Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri		Depicting Amagi Pass, a signature song by Sayuri Ishikawa
54	Kuroda-bushiFukuoka ken min’yō		A folk song praising the hearty drinking and martial prowess of Mori Tomonobu
55	Blue MountainsAoyama Ichirō		Let's sing 'Blue Mountain Range,' the classic song filled with postwar hope.
56	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		A poignant love story set in Yoshikazu Ikuzō’s Snow Country
57	Snow Festivalminami ranbou		A heartwarming song of the snow festival, longing for the arrival of spring