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.

Playlist

Songs to Play at the End of 2026! A Roundup of New Year’s Eve and Winter J‑Pop
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Year-end songs from 12/26 onward[Alexandros]		A song for the turn of the year and reflecting on the past twelve months
2	New Year’s Eve SongRemioromen		Warm Song of Two and New Year’s Soba
3	A town where it snowsyunikōn		A heartwarming classic that captures the year-end atmosphere
4	Zuko☆Bakofurachinarizumu		Year-end music to liven up the year-end party
5	Thank youŌe Senri		Senri Oe’s year-end gratitude song, a moving masterpiece
6	TOKYO SNOWSakurazaka46		Poignant feelings layered over the snow in Tokyo
7	Cheers, charisma! Year-end partyShichinin no Karisuma		A fun year-end song brought to you by seven charismatic stars
8	Harmony of DecemberKinKi Kids		A heartwarming classic that evokes the warmth of winter
9	December 29reGretGirl		A poignant story of being told goodbye on one’s birthday
10	STILL LOVE HER (A Lost Landscape)TM NETWORK		An urban ballad that confronts memories that have passed with the changing of the seasons.
11	December 31NMB48		A bittersweet NMB48 song filled with year-end emotions
12	Grand Plans for the Year-End and New Yeartanpopo		A soothing track that warmly portrays year-end romance
13	December without youYokoyama Yui		Yokoyama Yui’s graduation song, a winter ballad of farewell and gratitude
14	Cats and Allergieskinoko teikoku		A moving song that sings of a bittersweet farewell and longing love.
15	The Magic of DecemberMakihara Noriyuki		A song that conveys the warmth of winter, a magical melody
16	Spaceship on New Year’s EveSuga Shikao		A song brimming with Suga Shikao’s distinctive worldview
17	the last day of the monthsupittsu		A classic song that sings of year-end sentimentality and hope for the future
18	In My TownMr.Children		A poignant masterpiece that reflects the emotions after the earthquake disaster
19	Four-Mon coinMOROHA		MOROHA’s powerful singing resonates in my heart.
20	travel anecdoteCreepy Nuts		A moving song filled with passionate feelings toward a dream
21	promiseSHO		SHO’s solo song that fulfilled the promise made at the audition
22	Happy Endingback number		A moving song that portrays the emotions of love and farewell
23	4 SEASONSXG		The gentle tones of winter resonate in my heart.
24	by all means; no matter what; at any costback number		A classic song that portrays a passionate love for sports
25	Gerlende Funky LoveFirosofī no Dansu		Dance winter tune by the Winter Queen, Kohmi Hirose
26	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima’s winter song that discovers love while watching the falling snow. A beautiful, ephemeral signature track.
27	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		“Jidai” is a song of hope, a masterpiece that brings a smile.
28	Heart color ~ a song for the wonderful year ~Fukuyama Masaharu		Let's encourage our hearts with Masaharu Fukuyama's songs.
29	Light of Firefliesshouka		The New Year’s song “Auld Lang Syne” is a farewell song.
30	New Year’s Evethe pillows		A poignant rock melody where sorrow and hope intertwine
31	White winter songCharcoal Filter		A poignant song that connects hearts on a winter street corner
32	DecemberSkoop On Somebody		A funky winter classic to celebrate the year’s end
33	I’m here (feat. STUTS)butaji		An introspective night, quietly accepting my own path
34	Hard Days,Holy NightPorunogurafiti		A busy year-end, caught between feelings for my lover and my work
35	End-of-year hydrangea double suicideIchikawa Yukino		Year’s end, a song that stands by men without hope
36	Goddess of RomanceHirose Kōmi		Kohmi Hirose’s classic winter song, a heartwarming masterpiece
37	The Land of ‘Good Job’ (Otsukaresama)Saitō Kazuyoshi		A heartwarming song that heals the fatigue of the year
38	In My TownMr.Children		Mr.Children's 'In My Town' is perfect for the year-end.
39	DEPARTURESglobe		A winter classic, a moving work that intertwines snow and love.
40	National Sake-Drinking Festival Song of Japanbarakūda		Barracuda, a popular song among alcohol lovers
41	HOMEShimizu Shota		A bittersweet song of the heart longing for home
42	Even when next year comesMy Hair is Bad		A heartrending song that captures year-end emotions, wavering between hope and reality
43	Shiroi Koibito-tachiKuwata Keisuke		Masterpieces by Southern All Stars’ Keisuke Kuwata you’ll want to listen to in the cold season
44	Snow halationμ’s		The charm of Love Live: μ’s winter songs!
45	Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s masterpiece “Yuki” (Snow), a moving work that resonates across generations
46	orionYonezu Kenshi		The poignant song that shines in the winter sky, 'orion'
47	Two Red-spotted Butterflieskinmokusei		A famous song by Kinmokusei that sings of youthful memories.
48	I feel like I’m about to cry feat. AimyonRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' popularity explodes after collaborating with Aimyon!
49	Irohakocchi no kento		A heartwarming debut cheer song by an a cappella singer
50	broad daylightKing Gnu		A heart-touching song by King Gnu that portrays anguish
51	White LoveSPEED		A signature hit by the popular group SPEED
52	The Promised DecemberSaitō Kazuyoshi		Memories of Christmas and love for someone special
53	DearNishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s bittersweet exam support song
54	New Year’s DayELLEGARDEN		Hope for the New Year and a powerful band sound
55	~asterisk~ORANGE RANGE		The classic songs of ORANGE RANGE from BLEACH
56	Rock ‘n’ roll drummers love cleaning.Gita Panda		A song expressing Guitar Panda’s feelings about cleaning
57	BlizzardMiura Daichi		Main Theme Song of the Dragon Ball Movie
58	SubaruTanimura Shinji		An inspiring masterpiece that explores the meaning of life
59	My Dear FeetSazan Ōrusutāzu		A classic from Southern All Stars, healing the heart with a joyful rhythm
60	Sound of SnowGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s winter love song, a heartwarming tune
61	NEW YEAR’S DAYtha BOSS feat. Hannya		Reflect on the events of the year and celebrate the bonds we’ve overcome challenges with.
62	New Year’s Eve (Ōtsugomori)sadamasashi		A song that looks back on the year and welcomes the New Year with hope
63	January(yoru to) SAMPO		Working adult band SAMPO kicks off the New Year with a new song and a fresh start
64	White LightSuperfly		Superfly’s powerful winter song “White Light”
65	Winding RoadYUI		A heartwarming song depicting YUI’s winter year-end
66	Auld Lang Syne ~ Hotaru no HikariHirahara Ayaka		Ayaka Hirahara’s moving singing voice and the light of fireflies
67	SnowdomeKimura Kaera		A bittersweet love song and winter memories, Kaela Kimura
68	Tokyo Winter SessionHONEY WORKS		A HoneyWorks song is the anime ending theme
69	BYE! THIS YEAR!! HI! NEW YEAR!!Eijia Enjinia		Asia Engineer’s year-end cheer song
70	spring cleaningkingu gidora		King Ghidorah reactivated, supporting the year-end big cleanup
71	Winter WhistleSukima Suichi		A heartwarming winter song by Sukima Switch
72	Winter TaleSandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		A love ballad portraying the poignant feelings of a winter romance
73	possibilityOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song that delivers a positive feeling toward the New Year
74	Tonight is a Hearty PartyJuice=Juice		Covers of Mariya Takeuchi’s classic songs, fun and warmth
75	AsterAkito Asu		Akito portrays loneliness and hope on a cosmic stage
76	Year-end party! BOU! NEN! KAI!A.B.C-Z		ABC-Z's year-end party song
77	Win TimeCHAI		A winter’s sparkling song brightens the heart.
78	whiskyLittle Parade		A moving ballad that sings of gratitude and farewell to a father
79	Dayrai Concert OrchestraUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		The Dayrai Concert Orchestra with a Fun Rhythm
80	Winter Phantasm ManiaKyūso Nekokami		A rock song portraying winter’s loneliness and hope
81	waiting in vainrokudenashi		A heart-touching song that sings of a bittersweet love at the year’s end.
82	Blues of the StarsYoshii Kazuya		A winter night sky and the heartwarming singing voice of Kazuya Yoshii
83	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Be moved by Akiko Wada’s classic hit as you ring in the New Year
84	Ode to JoyToukyou Sukapara Daisu Ookesutora		Year-end classic: Ska-style Ninth
85	Lovers AgainEXILE		EXILE’s classic winter song, a bittersweet love ballad
86	Winter, againGLAY		The moving appeal of GLAY’s winter classic “Winter, again.”
87	New WorldL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		Ringing in the New Year with L’Arc-en-Ciel’s “New World.”
88	spring cleaningkingu gidora		A powerful declaration song to 'clean up' the rap world
89	pocketOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka’s winter love song warms the heart.
90	Happy New YearMatsutōya Yumi		A love story awaiting the New Year, a classic song by Yumi Matsutoya
91	Mr.SnowmanE-girls		Let your feelings be known! E-Girls’ winter love song
92	loadTHE toraburyū		A solo project track and a signature song with 2.2 million copies sold.