[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!

Playlist

[2026] Karaoke songs to sing on New Year’s Eve: classic and popular Japanese hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Bye, see you again sometime!Yonezu Kenshi		An alluring Kenshi Yonezu song you’ll want to sing to ring in the New Year
2	A town where it snowsyunikōn		A moving masterpiece that depicts year-end scenes
3	IlluminationB’z		NHK Morning Drama Theme Song, Light of Hope
4	Bling-Bang-Bang-BornCreepy Nuts		Music that fuses country and hip-hop
5	Subaru -Subaru-Tanimura Shinji		An inspiring song that sings of the Pleiades star cluster
6	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Wada Akiko’s classic song filled with hopes for the New Year
7	New Year’s Eve SongRemioromen		A poignant classic for ringing in the New Year that resonates with the heart
8	December 31NMB48		NMB48’s moving New Year’s ballad that sings of determination toward dreams
9	ToughSaucy Dog		A Song of Struggle and Growth in Pursuit of Dreams
10	National Sake-Drinking Festival Song of Japanbarakūda		A masterpiece that celebrates drinking culture—perfect for New Year’s Eve.
11	Dance at my place (New Year’s Eve)Hoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino’s song that takes a positive view of the COVID-19 pandemic
12	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s masterpiece is sung and passed down across generations
13	365 daysMr.Children		Love messages, timeless songs that resonate with the heart
14	the last day of the monthsupittsu		A rock-spirited song of hope that echoes at the moment of the New Year
15	Would you like some Noto?Sakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s famous song depicting Noto, feelings for her hometown
16	Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimi		Tendo Yoshimi’s moving masterpiece about marital love and bonds
17	A Gift Without a StampZaitsu Kazuo		Kazuo Zaitsu’s classic — a song of gratitude to someone dear
18	Year-end songs from 12/26 onward[Alexandros]		An inspiring song that portrays the blank period at the end of the year
19	New Year’s Evesadamasashi		A song of gratitude and hope after overcoming a year of hardship
20	festivalKitajima Saburō		Celebrate the New Year with classic Red and White songs
21	New Year’s Evethe pillows		A moving song that sings about the boundary of the year
22	New Treasure IslandSakanakushon		A musical message to encourage the voyage of the New Year
23	Get-go!EXILE		EXILE’s moving and refreshing 52nd single
24	Tower (Empire Statement)People In The Box		Magnificent music that colors the city, traveling the world
25	Happy Endingback number		A poignant heartbreak song to listen to at Christmas
26	Turning Uparashi		Arashi’s 20th debut anniversary: a 20-year journey
27	broad daylightKing Gnu		King Gnu breaks out in a big way with their unique music
28	New Year (Japanese New Year)		A year-end song filled with thoughts of the New Year
29	Year-end party! BOU! NEN! KAI!A.B.C-Z		ABC-Z's year-end party song
30	travel anecdoteCreepy Nuts		A song that sings about Creepy Nuts' trajectory
31	New Year’s DayELLEGARDEN		ELLEGARDEN New Year-themed punk song
32	Tonight is a Hearty PartyJuice=Juice		Covers of Mariya Takeuchi’s classic songs, fun and warmth
33	five mon coinsMOROHA		MOROHA’s unique rap-sounding track
34	BYE! THIS YEAR!! HI! NEW YEAR!!Eijia Enjinia		Asia Engineer’s year-end cheer song
35	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		Introduction to Keisuke Kuwata’s winter ballad songs
36	RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		Overcome failures and succeed next year
37	A New WorldASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		A powerful song that energizes you and gives you a push
38	Toward where the sound leadsGoose house		The bright ending theme song of Silver Spoon
39	WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Start a Movement~H Jungle with T		An anthem cheering on those who strive, a song that praises giving your all.
40	December 31NMB48		A cheer song to encourage our friends—let’s do our best!
41	A Whole New WorldRegina Belle & Peabo Bryson		A love song from Aladdin, mellow and gentle
42	BRAND NEW TOMORROWTRF		TRF’s exhilarating party tune is perfect for the year-end.
43	Brand New Worlddenpagumi.inc		An inspiring song that gives you strength for the New Year
44	Spaceship on New Year’s EveSuga Shikao		A romantic song to spend with someone special on New Year’s Eve
45	Leave only loveNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s powerful anthem of encouragement, a movie theme song
46	To a new worldGasshou Kyoku		A bittersweet choral song of youth, a track brimming with nostalgia.
47	A New WorldUemura Kana		A positive, refreshing ballad for ringing in the New Year
48	Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi		Looking back on the year with Kenshi Yonezu’s “Uma to Shika” (Horse and Deer)
49	Goodbye ElegySuda Masaki		Masaki Suda showcases his appeal as both singer and actor with his first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku
50	Bura-bura BushiTakada Wataru		Wataru Takada’s melancholic yet humorous song
51	HAPPY HAPPY GREETINGKinKi Kids		A song of gratitude filled with celebratory feelings
52	Unstoppable ha~haYazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s signature song, perfect for ringing in the New Year
53	Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri		Feeling the year-end mood with “Amagi-goe”
54	A HAPPY NEW YEAR -Happy New Year-Matsutōya Yumi		A love song by Yumi Matsutoya that's perfect for the year-end season
55	New WorldL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		A fast-paced single perfect for ringing in the New Year
56	FateOfisharu Higedan Dism		A breakout band gaining attention for its distinctive music
57	You May DreamSHEENA&THE ROKKETS		A rock anthem cheering on those who chase their dreams
58	Ode to JoyLudwig van Beethoven		The Ninth is a long masterpiece only in its final movement.
59	dreamTHE BLUE HEARTS		An eternal classic, loved across generations
60	Violence – BOURIKI –Makishimamu Za Horumon		Let's sing away the bad memories!
61	We are the worldUSA For Africa		A love song for Africa’s hunger relief, a spirit of hope and solidarity