List of seasonal songs: a classic guide to finding tracks that fit the current season

the first strong spring windnishina

nishina – First Spring Storm [Official Video]

The gentle tones of the acoustic guitar and Nishina’s crystal-clear vocals tenderly envelop the listener’s heart.

Chosen as a song for a radiko commercial, this piece was released as a digital single in March 2023.

Using cherry blossoms as a motif, it expresses the preciousness of things we only realize after losing them.

It’s a song filled with encouragement for those facing a season of graduation and farewells, and for those beginning the next chapter of their lives.

Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro

Nana Eikura stars in Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve” special movie-version PV

When you think of winter, you think of Christmas—and when you think of Christmas, Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve” is probably the most famous song.

This track, which climbs the Oricon charts almost every winter, was actually released in 1983.

Even now, it doesn’t feel dated at all—its popularity is truly enduring.

cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe

Cosmos - Momoe Yamaguchi - Cosmos

This is Momoe Yamaguchi’s 19th single, written and composed by Masashi Sada.

It’s a wonderful song that everyone knows and has been selected for the Japan 100 Best Songs.

Many artists have covered it.

For its time, it was a major hit, selling 500,000 copies.

Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako

Takako Matsu – When Spring Comes Tomorrow

She is now active as an actress and singer, but since she initially worked only as an actress, her debut single, “Ashita, Haru ga Kitara,” generated quite a buzz.

On top of that, she’s an exceptionally good singer, which made it even more talked about.

She even made her debut appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen that year.

Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro

Naotaro Moriyama – Sakura (Solo)

This song was Moriyama Naotaro’s breakthrough, but it was actually his second single.

In the music video, his singing along with the piano accompaniment is memorable, and the single includes not only “Sakura (Solo)” but also “Sakura (Chorus)” and “Sakura (Instrumental).

Summer NudeMagokoro Burazāzu

Magokoro Brothers “Summer Nude” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

This song is a single by Magokoro Brothers that came out in 1995.

In this music video, the two women playing with a ball on the beach alongside the two members of Magokoro Brothers were actually PUFFY before their debut.

ginkgoYūsuke

Yusuke 'Ginkgo'

When you listen to it, you’ll probably think the melody sounds familiar from somewhere.

That’s right—it’s very similar to Pachelbel’s Canon.

A copy? No, not quite.

It seems to be a song made by sampling Canon.

The lyrics are very heartrending, and it’s a lovely song.