[2026] Karaoke songs to sing on New Year’s Eve: classic and popular Japanese hits
As we enter the latter half of December and the year-end approaches, opportunities to go to karaoke increase with year-end and New Year parties during the holiday break.
If you’re thinking, “Since it’s the end of the year, I want to sing karaoke songs that are perfect for ringing in the New Year,” this article introduces recommended Japanese songs for year-end karaoke.
We’ve put together a selection that includes beloved classics from the Showa era, recent masterpieces that capture the New Year’s mood, and even the latest songs performed on the quintessential New Year’s Eve program, the Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
Be sure to check it out!
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[2026] Karaoke songs to sing on New Year’s Eve: Classic and popular Japanese hits (21–30)
New Year’s Evethe pillows
This is a song that straightforwardly voices the sense of loss and lingering attachment everyone feels when standing at the threshold of a new year.
It’s included on the pillows’ 2004 album “GOOD DREAMS,” and centers on the boundary of time at year’s end, portraying relationships like unfinished puzzles and a heartfelt desire to remain within a dream.
Sawao Yamanaka’s metaphor-rich lyrics and the melodious guitar rock sound create a poignant lyricism.
Perfect for karaoke when rock fans get together.
New Treasure IslandSakanakushon
This is a 2015 single that also became the theme song for the movie Bakuman.
Doesn’t the synthesizer in the intro make you think of New Year’s? It’s a feel-good, ’80s-style techno track that feels great to sing along with.
As we head into a new year, let’s set sail toward our destination!
Get-go!EXILE
Released in September 2025, this work is the 52nd single and the first in about four years and five months.
The lyrics were written by ATSUSHI himself, expressing the joy of reuniting with his companions and gratitude to the fans.
It fuses EXILE’s signature R&B flavor with an exhilarating pop sound, creating a groove that feels both nostalgic and new.
It’s the perfect track for when you want to make a fresh start or feel the bond with your cherished friends.
Tower (Empire Statement)People In The Box
It’s a grand composition set in cities around the world, portraying the rhythms of people’s lives.
It features scenes like the view from the roof of the Empire State Building and appearances by different cities—New York, Vietnam, and Shinjuku—woven together across various times of day.
It’s included on the album “Weather Report,” released in October 2013, and the CD has a unique structure in which all tracks are docked into a single track.
It’s a perfect song to listen to at the moment of the New Year, inviting you to reflect on New Year celebrations around the world.
Listening to it repeatedly while traveling might create a powerful association between your journey and the music.
Happy Endingback number
Buck Number has Christmas songs like “Heroine” and “Christmas Song,” but in fact, this “Happy End” is also a Christmas song.
It’s a tearjerker, too: the girlfriend suddenly tells him they should break up for no good reason.
The word “winter” never appears, but it’s perfect for the season—highly recommended to sing at the end of a year when you’ve had your heart broken, with the mindset of “Next year I’ll show you.”
