Songs to Play at the End of 2026! A Roundup of New Year’s Eve and Winter J‑Pop
The year that felt both long and short is already coming to an end.
From around the time Christmas passes, you really start to sense that the year is winding down, don’t you?
And as we reach the year’s end, a variety of music programs and events take place, starting with the Red and White Song Battle on New Year’s Eve.
Every year, I bet a lot of people ring in the New Year while listening to music.
With that in mind, this article rounds up a bunch of songs perfect for the end of the year, including tracks about New Year’s Eve and classic winter tunes.
It’s a playlist you can enjoy on your own to reflect on the past year, or throw on with everyone to hype up the countdown.
[2026] Year-End Must-Listen! New Year’s Eve Songs and Winter J-POP Roundup (1–10)
Year-end songs from 12/26 onward[Alexandros]
![Year-end songs from 12/26 onward[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dr4CKuZmjSw/sddefault.jpg)
In December at the end of the year, it’s all Christmas vibes until the 25th, and once that’s over, the atmosphere shifts to New Year’s.
This is a song by [Alexandros] that focuses on that rising end-of-year mood from the 26th onward.
Starting with an acoustic guitar-centered sound, the arrangement gradually brings in the full band, and the light, lively rhythm conveys a sense of fun.
While it signals that the moment the year changes is drawing near, it also encourages you to take this opportunity to reflect on the past year.
The lyrics as a whole depict self-reflection on the year, yet the airy sound also evokes a sense of hope for the year to come.
New Year’s Eve SongRemioromen
Remioromen’s “New Year’s Eve Song” is included on their 2010 album Kacho Fugetsu.
It’s a story-driven track that begins with a scene of buying New Year’s soba and heading home on New Year’s Eve.
The song tenderly portrays two people spending the countdown together, and it’s heart-fluttering.
Packed with year-end-themed words, it’s the perfect recommendation for that moment when you’re just about to ring in the New Year!
A town where it snowsyunikōn
It’s a laid-back track that brings year-end scenes to mind.
It’s by the rock band Unicorn, which includes singer-songwriter Tamio Okuda, and it was released in 1992 as their eighth single.
The protagonist’s emotions feel so real you can’t help but say, “I know exactly how that feels!” The relaxed, unforced sound is wonderful too.
Since it’s the end of the year, you want to forget the busyness and take it easy with someone special.
If you’re living away from your hometown, listening to this might even make you want to go back home.
Cheers, charisma! Year-end partyShichinin no Karisuma
The year-end song from seven charismatic performers delights listeners with unique lyrics and a cheerful melody.
Each of the seven looks back on the year in their own distinctive way, sure to bring a smile to your face just by listening.
Released in December 2021, the track is based on the Italian folk song “Funiculì, Funiculà,” and its lively rhythm leaves a strong impression.
It’s perfect for anyone wanting to liven up year-end or New Year parties.
Enjoy the banter among these colorful characters while taking a moment to reflect on your own year.
This is a recommended tune for those who want to welcome the New Year in a festive mood.
Zuko☆Bakofurachinarizumu
This is a number themed around the year-end party season, designed to take bonenkai celebrations to their peak.
Released in November 2016 by Nippon Crown as a double A-side single, it also included a short movie on the DVD featuring Sutasutalone.
While comically capturing the carefree atmosphere of late December, it fuses FURACHI-RHYTHM’s signature funky band groove with call-and-response to unite the whole venue—an irresistible setup.
It’s perfect as BGM for a raucous New Year’s Eve party with everyone gathered together, or for a countdown event to wrap up the year.
Thank youŌe Senri
Senri Oe’s 25th single, released in 1992, is widely known as the theme song for the TBS drama “Jūnen Ai” (Ten Years of Love).
Centered on piano, Masao Ōmura’s string arrangement unfurls with elegance, gently enveloping the feelings that deepen at year’s end.
Set during the holiday season, the lyrics simply portray a protagonist who overcomes shyness to express gratitude to someone, offering a nudge to voice those important feelings we don’t usually say.
Also included on the album “Rokko Oroshi Fuita,” the song returned to the spotlight in 2006 as the annual campaign theme for an information program.
As the year closes, why not send some honest words—to yourself for working hard, or to someone who supported you—together with this song?
TOKYO SNOWSakurazaka46
A poignant winter ballad that layers unspoken feelings onto the snow descending over Tokyo’s sky.
It’s included on the regular edition of Sakurazaka46’s 10th single, “I want tomorrow to come,” released in October 2024.
Even while knowing that snow in the city won’t settle, the song delicately depicts the uncontrollable swell of emotion, set to a piano-centered melody.
It opens with a poetic monologue by Shizuki Yamashita, and the gradually intensifying emotions are mirrored in the sound—an impressive structure.
The lyrics entrust feelings that fade before they can be spoken to the melting snow, making the song resonate especially on quiet year-end nights.
It’s a perfect track for moments when you want to face your heart at the close of the year.
Harmony of DecemberKinKi Kids
Set to the gentle strains of December, this winter ballad tenderly portrays time spent with a loved one.
Released in 2006, it features a warm sound centered on strings and piano, with soft choral work that highlights the harmony between the two voices.
Chosen for commercials by dwango.jp and MUSIC.JP, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart, extending their consecutive No.
1 streak since debut to 24 releases.
The song is also included on the best-of albums “39” and “The BEST,” and has remained a year-end concert staple.
It’s the perfect track for looking back on the year with a calm heart and savoring moments with someone special.
December 29reGretGirl
Armed with sentimental guitar rock, reGretGirl has been steadily stepping up from the indie scene.
The track that opens their 3rd mini-album “soon” depicts the moment a lover announces a breakup.
The imagery—the belongings left behind in the room, the figure seen from the window as they walk away—is poignant and hits home.
The title is actually the birthday of vocalist/guitarist Masahiro Hirabe; the music video was released and streaming began in August 2019.
This story, where the unfairness of being dumped on a birthday intertwines with lingering attachment, is perfect for listening to while looking back on the year’s end.
It’s a song that will keep you company on a winter night when memories of the past year drift through your mind.
STILL LOVE HER (A Lost Landscape)TM NETWORK
A ballad that faces memories gone by amid a wintry urban landscape, at the seasonal turning point when we begin walking toward the future.
Released in December 1988 as the closing track of the concept album “CAROL ~A DAY IN A GIRL’S LIFE 1991~,” it was used as the later ending theme for the Nippon TV anime City Hunter 2.
Its cool yet warm, urban sound and bittersweet story lingered in many hearts.
Concrete images—like double-decker buses and winter streets—evoke precious memories unique to each listener.
When you want to quietly look back on the past year and set your thoughts on the one to come, this work is a perfect companion.