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!]
- [2026] Karaoke songs to sing on New Year’s Eve: classic and popular Japanese hits
- [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
- I want to hear more than just the classics! Hidden gems of winter songs
[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.
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.
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.