Generation Z refers to those born roughly between 1996 and 2012.
Also called digital natives, they’ve grown up with social media and subscriptions as the norm, so they tend to listen to a wide range of music across ages and genres.
As a result, revival hits have become more common.
Here, we’re introducing winter songs recommended for Gen Z.
We’ve gathered tracks that were released around the time they likely spent their formative years, so this is great not only for Gen Z listeners but also for anyone who wants to know what music Gen Z has been listening to!
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Recommended for Gen Z! Winter songs to liven up your winter events (1–10)
winterlustNEW!Laura day romance
Formed in 2017, Laura day romance is a three-piece band known for their literary lyrics and soothing melodies.
Released in January 2026, this track was written specifically as the CM song for “JR SKISKI 2025-2026.” It’s refreshingly bright, blending vivid depictions that evoke the feel of snow underfoot and shared warmth with a driving band sound.
There’s a burst of momentum—like everyone shouting “Ready, go!”—that makes you feel excited just by listening.
The exhilaration of snow-covered mountains, far from everyday life, pairs perfectly with the poppy vibe to make your time on the slopes even more fun! It’s also perfect for gazing at the scenery from the lift or as in-car BGM on the way to the ski resort.
A wonderful song that will color your winter memories in vivid hues.
Kiss Me, WinterNEW!FIVE NEW OLD
If you want to feel the sparkle of winter through music, this song by FIVE NEW OLD is a great pick.
The bouncy piano rhythms and vibrant horn section ring out, and the sound—imbued with city pop and gospel elements—really gets your heart dancing.
The stylish lyrics, weaving English and Japanese, portray a wavering, sentimental mood under the cold winter sky, conveying a realistic sense of winter’s temperature that’s more than just bright and cheerful.
Released as a single in November 2023, it was featured as the collaborative music for the 2023 Sapporo White Illumination in Hokkaido.
The band’s polished performance and the vocalist’s singing make snowy landscapes feel all the more dramatic.
It’s perfect not only as lively BGM on a bustling ski slope with friends, but also for a soothing moment on the lift while you take in the view.
Between winter sports runs, why not enjoy a stylish time in the snowy mountains?
TomorrowNEW!Furui Riho
This is a heartwarming winter anthem from Furui Riho.
Rooted in R&B and gospel, her vocals bring a cozy groove to the cold snowy mountains.
The lyrics, which highlight the preciousness of time spent with friends and the determination to move forward, are also a must-hear.
Released in December 2024, this track pairs her with producer Taka Perry, crystallizing the bond deepened through the June 2024 tour.
The music video features everyday moments with her bandmates and childhood photos, evoking a sense of connection with loved ones.
It’s a gem that blends tenderness and exhilaration—perfect for the ride home after a tiring day on the slopes or for quiet conversations at the lodge.
True LoveNEW!INI
This work expresses the thrill and joy of savoring youth in a fresh, high-energy mood.
It’s included on INI’s winter single “THE WINTER MAGIC,” released in November 2025.
The energetic beat that seems to blow away the winter chill and the catchy melody really stand out, don’t they? It was written as the “Youth Theme Song” for the film Romantic Killer, vividly coloring the heart-fluttering scenes throughout.
Just by listening, you’ll feel wrapped in the excitement of becoming the story’s protagonist yourself.
The lyrics, which sing about the moment the world gains color when you fall in love and the preciousness of time spent with someone important, are sure to resonate.
Give it a listen whenever you need a dose of positive energy.
you’re myNEW!Pablo Haiku
It’s a Pablo Haiku track that feels like music made from the rising heat within a snowy landscape.
The repeated English phrases stick in your ears and give you a bittersweet yet comforting lift.
The lyrics, which sing of inarticulable, frustrating feelings and an uncertain future with someone important, seem to melt into a pure white world.
Released in January 2025, this piece was written as the campaign song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI” 2024–2025 campaign.
Many of you may have heard it in the commercials or seen it on posters.
Its medium-tempo sound, warm within the cold, is perfect for gazing at the view from a lift or for that moment of catching your breath after a run.
Add it to your playlist as a song to color your winter memories.
Winter Song Defense ForceNEW!Panda Doragon
The song that’s sure to instantly liven up the winter slopes is a sentai-hero-style winter tune sung by PandaDragon, known as the junior group to MeseMoa.
Their unique, comical concept of becoming a defense squad that “protects winter songs” really stands out.
Released as the title track of their single in December 2025, the song created a huge buzz, including earning the group their first No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
With its catchy melody and lyrics by Sho Hoshibe, you’ll find yourself humming along with friends on the lift.
It’s perfect for moments when you want to forget the cold and cut loose, or to psych yourself up before hitting the slopes on your snowboard! Its unbridled, sunny sound is bound to turn the snowy world into a lively party venue.
STOP MENEW!kōda mahiru
Mahiru Koda’s “STOP ME” delivers razor-sharp beats that slice through the crisp winter air.
The title track of the EP “STOP ME,” released in December 2024, is a high-velocity number that deftly weaves in elements of hip-hop and R&B.
The rhythmic track co-created with LYNN perfectly mirrors the exhilarating speed of carving down snowy slopes.
The lyrics depict a fierce will that turns even negative feelings into fuel, surging forward with an unstoppable momentum.
Its overflowing energy makes it an ideal soundtrack for those wind-cutting moments on a snowboard or skis.
As the song that also lent its name to her solo show, why not hit the slopes and enjoy your run to the fullest while listening to it?