Winter hit songs released in the Heisei era. Classic tracks that colored the winters of the Heisei period.
The Heisei era was a golden age with many million-selling songs and booming CD sales.
From among the many tracks that lit up that dazzling Japanese music scene, we’ve gathered a selection of “winter songs.”
These winter hits are nostalgic, and many of them are still heard today.
It’s packed with songs that remain karaoke favorites and frequently appear in music program specials!
Whether you’re from the generation that looks back on those youthful days, or you’re younger and discovering them for the first time, enjoy these hit winter songs from the Heisei era!
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Winter hit songs released in the Heisei era: classic tracks that colored Heisei winters (41–50)
Song of a Winter DayGReeeeN
A heartwarming ballad by GReeeeN that gently embraces the time spent with a lover during the cold season.
Included on the limited first edition of the single “Tobira,” released in December 2008, this song is sprinkled with Christmas motifs like the sound of bells and candlelight.
Their signature harmonies layer over the soft tones of acoustic guitar and piano, delicately weaving honest feelings for someone special.
The unadorned lyrics convey a wish to celebrate this day together every year and the irreplaceable value of the time the two share.
“Tobira” reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts, and the album it appears on, “Shio, Kosho,” later won the Japan Record Awards’ Best Album.
It’s a hidden gem that gently keeps you company on quiet winter nights with a partner or when you want to express your feelings to someone important.
Winter MagicKARA
KARA’s fifth Japanese single, released in October 2011, is a romantic mid-tempo love song that depicts the feelings of winter romance.
Written and composed by Simon Isogai, it blends a warm, ’90s J-pop-inspired melody with crystal-clear vocals.
Interweaving imagery of snow and starry skies, the song delicately conveys a poignant longing for a lover’s warmth on a cold winter night, striking an appealing balance between intimate storytelling and a sense of dynamism.
It reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart, sold over 120,000 copies in total, and was certified Gold by the RIAJ.
It is also included on the Japanese album “Super Girl.” It’s the perfect track for a special Christmas-season night with your partner, or for quietly spending a winter evening while thinking of someone dear.
On the holy nightKetsumeishi
A warm love song by Ketsumeishi depicting a couple’s first Christmas together.
Released in November 2007 as a double A-side single with “Fuyu Monogatari,” this track is filled with anticipation for a special holy night spent with a loved one amid bustling crowds and sparkling illuminations.
It’s a medium-tempo song with the soothing flow of Ryo and Ookura that tickles the ears, and its easy-to-hum rap makes it appealing even to those who aren’t fond of rap.
It reached No.
2 on the Oricon weekly chart and was certified Gold.
The music video features Kei Tanaka, and its drama-style direction further heightens the excitement of Christmas.
It’s the perfect song for a Christmas date—one you’ll want to listen to while savoring the joy of spending the holiday with your partner this year.
WISHarashi
This song, overflowing with a wintry mood, is the group’s 15th single, released in November 2005.
It was chosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Boys Over Flowers,” starring Jun Matsumoto, and debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
With a beautiful, bell-like melody and warm sound, it captures the excitement of Christmas in musical form.
The lyrics carefully portray the anticipation and fluttering feelings of spending Christmas with someone special, making it not only perfect for couples but also an encouraging anthem for those who are thinking of confessing their feelings.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to while strolling through streets aglow with illuminations, and a sure-fire crowd-pleaser for karaoke during the Christmas season.
chicken riceHamada Masatoshi / Makihara Noriyuki
The lyrics depicting Hitoshi Matsumoto’s memories of a poor childhood touch listeners’ hearts.
It’s a Christmas song released in November 2004 under the name Masatoshi Hamada and Noriyuki Makihara, with Downtown’s Masatoshi Hamada as the lead vocalist and Noriyuki Makihara handling composition and chorus.
Many people were surely moved by these heartwarming lyrics.
The song was chosen as the image song for Fuji TV’s winter event and reached No.
2 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Imbued with the pure kindness of a boy thinking of his parents, this work is perfect for time spent with your loved ones at Christmas.
Christmas on a starry nighttsuji ayano
Singer-songwriter Ayano Tsuji.
Be sure to check out her 2005 release “Hoshifuru Yoru no Christmas” (“Christmas on a Starry Night”), too.
It’s a Christmas-themed song that depicts deepening love with someone special on a beautiful, star-lit night.
While Ayano Tsuji is strongly associated with ukulele-and-vocals performances, this work incorporates piano and other elements, resulting in a more luxurious sound.
That fresh departure from her usual style may well be one reason it became a hit.
Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo
With its piercing guitar tones and Shogo Hamada’s evocative vocals, the song captivated many listeners.
Warm yet fleeting, it conjures scenes of the changing season and has never lost its luster with time.
The lyrics, which deftly capture the subtleties of human emotion, quietly stir the heart.
Originally released in 1981, it roared back to prominence when it was used as a TV drama theme in 1992, becoming a timeless classic cherished for years.
Let this track flow like it’s melting into a winter landscape, and you’ll likely find your winter memories resurfacing—and before you know it, you’ll be humming along with them.