Songs to Play at the End of 2026! A Roundup of New Year’s Eve and Winter J‑Pop

The Magic of DecemberMakihara Noriyuki

12gatsu No Maho (2012 Remaster)

It’s a song that leaves a strong impression with its narrator, single-mindedly inviting someone out in the hope of conveying the warmth of a winter city.

Layering quintessential winter scenes—white breaths in the cold, the glow of street trees—it uses the word “magic” to express a clumsy yet unflinchingly sincere love.

Included on Noriyuki Makihara’s debut album “Kimi ga Warau Toki Kimi no Mune ga Itamanai You ni” in October 1990, this track is positioned as an origin point for the later lineage of winter-themed songs.

Its warm arrangement—melding strings and bell tones into a breezy band ensemble—perfectly complements lyrics so straightforward they’re almost embarrassing.

It’s a number you’ll want to hear when quietly seeing out the year while looking back on the months gone by.

Spaceship on New Year’s EveSuga Shikao

Shikao Suga – “Spaceship on New Year’s Eve” MUSIC VIDEO

It’s a cool number that pulls you into its unique world.

It’s a track by musician Suga Shikao, who’s also active as a music producer, included on his 11th album, “THE LAST,” released in 2016.

You might think it’s a laid-back song at first, but then the chorus suddenly explodes, carrying a somewhat decadent atmosphere.

The lyrics exude a dark vibe as well.

It makes you want to trace each word and unravel what kind of “New Year’s Eve” it’s referring to.

A very cool song.

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Araki Jakkan

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the last day of the monthsupittsu

Misoka

This song by Spitz is a masterpiece that, while evoking year-end sentimentality, powerfully sings of hope for the future.

As the closing track of the album “Souvenir,” it was released in January 2005 and is characterized by a distinctly Spitz-like, exhilarating rock sound.

In 2006, it was also used as the campaign song for the soft drink “Aquarius,” leaving a lasting impression on many listeners.

It’s especially recommended for New Year’s season, particularly on New Year’s Eve.

In that moment when you reflect on the year and your anticipation for the next one grows, listening to this song will surely fill you with courage and hope.

It’s also a great choice to listen to with friends and family to share your feelings for the coming year.

In My TownMr.Children

In My Town

This is a beloved Mr.Children song that pauses amid the year-end crowds and sings of the lightness in your step as you splash through puddles.

It depicts facets of contemporary society, from the self-disgust of living in a cold city to posts on a friend’s Twitter.

It’s a track from the album [(an imitation) blood orange] that showcases Kazutoshi Sakurai’s hallmark gift for vivid scene-setting.

Released in November 2012, the album became a record-breaking hit, selling 530,000 copies in its first week.

The song is also said to reflect the emotional landscape after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and it appears on the last original album produced by Takeshi Kobayashi.

It’s the perfect song to listen to alone at the end of the year as you look back on the past twelve months.

Before you join the crowd for the countdown, why not listen quietly for a moment?

Four-Mon coinMOROHA

MOROHA “Four Mon Coins” Official Music Video

A song with a fiery soul that you’ll want to listen to on a quiet year-end night.

Included on MOROHA’s album MOROHA III, released in December 2016, this track sings of a strong will to face life’s hardships.

Its unique blend of acoustic guitar and rap is perfect for looking back on the past year at the end of December and renewing your resolve for the year ahead.

You can almost picture people striving to overcome harsh realities and trials.

Recommended for those who want to reflect on themselves before welcoming the New Year.

MOROHA’s powerful message is sure to resonate with your heart.

travel anecdoteCreepy Nuts

Souvenir Story / Creepy Nuts [Drums] [Tried Playing]

A perfect year-end song for anyone chasing their dreams or passionately sticking with something is Creepy Nuts’ “Miyagebanashi” (Souvenir Tale).

Fans, of course, but even those who aren’t will likely find themselves moved to tears.

It’s the closing track of their second album, “Case,” released in 2021.

Packed with the duo’s journey and their feelings toward their dreams—now active not only in music but across many fields—their fiery lyrics hit with real emotion.

It’s a song that lets you praise yourself for working hard all year and gives you the strength to keep pursuing your dreams!

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KEI

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promiseSHO

[PLANJ] ORIGINAL: 'Promise' – SHO

JO1 was formed through the 2019 audition program PRODUCE 101 JAPAN.

SHO, the group’s leader, released his solo track in November 2025.

This song fulfills a pledge he made during the audition period—“When I debut, I’ll create my own song and perform it”—coming to fruition about six years later.

The lyrics were written by SHO himself and trace his journey from the days he pursued a singing career in Tokyo to becoming a member of JO1, and the feelings that followed.

Beginning with the stifling chill of the cold season and unfolding into a will to change and a resolve to keep singing, the words capture the intensity of the moment he keeps his promise to his past self.

The song was first performed at his solo stage in January 2025 and was also released through the YouTube project PLANJ.

Give it a listen when you want to face yourself in the crisp winter air or when you need the courage to take a step toward your dreams.