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.
- A classic that evokes the year’s end. Looking back on the year through music [Just a little left of this year!]
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- [Songs to Listen to in December] J-POP and Christmas Songs that Feel Like Winter [2026]
- Popular Winter Songs Ranking [2026]
- Masterpieces to Listen to in January: New Year-Themed, New Year-Ready, and Winter Songs
- [Winter Songs] The Best Classic and Popular Winter Tunes to Listen to in Winter
- [New Year’s Songs] Timeless classics and popular New Year tunes you’ll want to listen to at the start of the year
- Winter Songs: Classic tracks you want to listen to in winter. Songs you long for during the winter.
- Winter songs you'll want to listen to in the cold season! Recommended for the yutori generation
- Winter songs in 90s J-pop: a roundup of popular winter tunes
- [For Seniors] Beloved songs to sing in December: heartwarming moments with nostalgic kayōkyoku and children’s songs
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- [2026] A Special Feature on Classic Western Songs to Listen to in December!
[2026] Songs to Listen to at Year’s End! New Year’s Eve Tracks and Winter J‑Pop Roundup (21–30)
New Year’s Evethe pillows
It’s a medium-tempo rock number that expresses the bittersweet feeling of “I was supposed to be happy with the one I love, but…” It’s a song by the rock band the pillows, known for hits like “Strange Chameleon” and “Hybrid Rainbow,” included on their 12th album, GOOD DREAMS, released in 2004.
The lyric “When I wake up, the new year has begun, and the reality that you’re gone is there” squeezes the heart.
But this is the pillows: they craft a crisp, dry sound that keeps the mood from getting too heavy, and it’s cool.
Gerlende Funky LoveFirosofī no Dansu
A winter tune by Philosophy no Dance, produced by the “Queen of Winter,” Kōmi Hirose.
It’s their 11th single, released in December 2025 to mark the group’s 10th anniversary, and every track is themed around winter.
The groovy sound rooted in funk and soul blends perfectly with Hirose’s signature, exhilarating melodies.
The lyrics paint vivid ski-slope scenes while sprinkling in contemporary words like oshi-katsu (supporting your fave) and social mobile games, depicting romance in the Reiwa era with flair.
You can feel the members’ passion in the high-difficulty vocals that modulate up in key mid-song.
Put it on during a winter drive or on the way to a ski trip, and your energy will soar—no question.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a number that makes you want to dance in the cold season.
[2026] Songs to Play at Year’s End! A Roundup of New Year’s Eve and Winter J‑Pop (31–40)
Goddess of RomanceHirose Kōmi
If TUBE are the kings of summer songs, then Ms.
Kōmi Hirose is the queen of winter tunes.
As the year draws to a close, her divine classic “Romance no Kamisama” starts playing from everywhere—it’s beyond just a staple at this point, it’s the ultimate staple.
Because we hear it every year in commercials and TV show BGM, the song hasn’t faded one bit.
Listening to it will surely bring back memories of a lively Japan, still carrying a hint of the bubble era.
It’s a track I want people without a boyfriend to hear—and of course, those who have one too!
The Land of ‘Good Job’ (Otsukaresama)Saitō Kazuyoshi
It might be the word we hear most in a day: the ever-present “Otsukaresama desu.” This song, which shines a light on that very phrase, is a mellow mid-tempo number that slips naturally into the year-end bustle and the days leading up to the close of the year.
It drew a strong response after airing as the theme for an Alinamin commercial and was released in 2008.
Kazuyoshi Saito’s unpretentious warmth gently resonates in the heart.
Every day, each of us carries hidden feelings and does our best.
A year is long, isn’t it? What kind of year was it for you? There were probably joys as well as hardships.
Listen to this song, which feels like a kind voice reaching out to you, and be kind to yourself.
I’m sure it will soothe the fatigue of the year.
In My TownMr.Children
A song I recommend for a year that slipped by without you noticing, or for a year-end you want to spend quietly, is Mr.Children’s “In My Town.” It’s included on their 2012 album [(an imitation) blood orange].
It overflows with the lonely mood of the dwindling days, stirring up a sentimental feeling.
You might even relate to it more now, in an era moving at an even more incredible speed than when it was released.
Its gentle, rain-like tones can make it feel like the hush of late December.
Sometimes life just doesn’t make sense, but this is a track that makes you feel like you can face the next year with a clean slate.
DEPARTURESglobe
It’s a classic winter song born in the 1990s.
Led by music producer Tetsuya Komuro, it’s one of the signature tracks by the music unit globe, released in 1996 as their fourth single.
Sparked by its use in a TV commercial, it became a massive hit and has been covered by many famous artists.
The lyrics, which overlay falling snow with feelings for someone dear, are deeply moving.
The cool sound arrangement fits perfectly, too.
Who comes to mind as that kind of special person for you?
National Sake-Drinking Festival Song of Japanbarakūda
When it comes to songs beloved by fans of alcohol, this signature track by Barracuda tops the list.
Using events from all over Japan and local specialties as themes, it humorously sings about the many reasons to drink.
Released in December 1979, the piece is said to trace its roots to “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” the song from Disney’s Cinderella.
Its uniquely charming origin story involves a parody version that had spread among international students.
This is the season with plenty of chances to drink—year-end and New Year holidays, New Year parties, and year-end gatherings.
It’s a perfect song for getting the crowd going with friends or for learning about Japan’s drinking culture in a fun way.