I want to hear more than just the classics! Hidden gems of winter songs

Santa ClausELLEGARDEN

Ellegarden-Santaclaus Live

ELLEGARDEN’s Christmas song “Santa Claus.” This track is included on their first album, “DON’T TRUST ANYONE BUT US,” released in 2002.

While ELLEGARDEN often features English lyrics, this song is sung mostly in Japanese.

It’s a Christmas song dedicated to someone special and a popular early track among fans.

A straightforward love song that conveys feelings for a loved one and declares that the singer is that person’s very own Santa Claus.

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White BeachHY

HY – White Beach (Official Music Video)

Released as a single in 2006 by HY, a mixture band from Okinawa, this work is one of their signature songs from their early days.

From the opening lines, the parched wind, hints of winter, and scenes of white beaches weave a unique atmosphere that delicately captures the shifting seasons particular to the subtropics.

The refreshing guitar sound, warm vocals, and nostalgic melody resonate pleasantly, giving it a curious charm that makes you want to listen during the colder months.

Performed since the era of their early album Departure, it has remained a staple at their live shows.

Whether you’re spending a winter night reminiscing about a distant summer or feeling a sudden pang of wistfulness at the turn of the seasons, the song’s gentle warmth will be there to keep you company.

snowNakanomori BAND

[MV] Nakanomori BAND / Snow (full ver.)

A winter classic written and composed by Masatoshi Mashima, beautifully performed by Nakanomori BAND.

Against a backdrop of white, piling snow, a bittersweet story unfolds in which distant memories and warmth quietly return.

It opens with images of snow drifting down onto everyday scenes like the morning assembly platform and cherry tree branches, and features striking lyrics where the scent and echoes of someone nostalgic fall into the heart like tiny particles.

Released in October 2007 as the double A-side single “Isoburavo/Yuki,” it was also selected for power play on Nippon TV’s “Ongaku Senshi MUSIC FIGHTER.” It’s a song that gently stays with you on a winter night when you find yourself wanting to drift into old memories.

snowTHC!!

THC!! 'Snow' OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Released independently in 2003 and re-released on a major label in 2005, this track by the Shonan-born crossover band THC!! is a classic that conjures warm memories in wintertime.

KANAMI’s translucent vocals intertwine exquisitely with Ritz’s groovy rap, while the hardcore-rooted, powerful band sound delivers a heat that won’t yield to the cold.

Set against a landscape of softly falling white, the lyrics—like holding onto feelings that won’t fade—are bittersweet yet forward-looking, conveying the protagonist’s determination to etch irreplaceable memories into their heart.

Chosen as the ending theme for TBS’s CDTV, it’s a song you’ll want to revisit every winter—perfect for nights spent with someone special or quiet moments of solitary reflection.

LOVER SOULJUDY AND MARY

JUDY AND MARY LOVER SOUL

Even after their 2001 breakup, JUDY AND MARY are almost always mentioned as a band people want to see reunite.

Their song “LOVER SOUL” was the group’s 13th single, released in 1997.

While Judy and Mary are strongly associated with poppy, fast-paced tracks, this song is very gentle—spoken softly, almost in droplets—drawing you in as if you’re listening to a story.

It’s a number that lets you picture a beautiful winter scene, even though it isn’t packed with winter-related seasonal words or imagery in the lyrics.

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On a night when stars fallGReeeeN

Hoshinofuruyoruni

GReeeeN has many songs with straightforward Japanese lyrics that let you visualize a drama-like storyline.

This track is also a number that brings a story to mind, as if you’re reading it page by page.

It was included as the B-side to the 2012 single “Yuki no Ne” (Snow Sound).

It’s a heartbreaking song that will especially hit home for those in long-distance relationships or those who’ve left their hometown.

It’s the kind of song you’ll suddenly want to listen to at the busy end of the year, when someone special comes to mind.

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Winter SongSHISHAMO

Winter Song

This song, performed by three girls who were still in high school and included on their self-produced album “Graduation Project,” captivates with a fragility that feels like the crisp clarity of winter air turned into sound.

Its protagonist is a girl with a one-sided crush, and the lyrics intertwine her feelings for someone out of reach with the season’s chill, evoking bittersweet memories many of us share.

Clean guitar arpeggios and the surging dynamics in the chorus create a deeply affecting finish.

The track was included on an album released in January 2013 and was later re-released alongside their major-label debut album “SHISHAMO.” Although it had no tie-in, it has steadily become a seasonal staple.

On a winter night, when you want to quietly reflect on your feelings of love alone, this song is sure to keep you company.