I want to hear more than just the classics! Hidden gems of winter songs
When winter comes, we sometimes feel a little lonely, while other times our hearts leap at festive events and dazzling cityscapes.
In moments like these, winter songs gently stay by our side.
There are so many of them, and while the classic hits are beloved for years, many of you may be thinking, “I want to discover something different!”
So in this article, we’ll introduce some hidden gems among winter songs.
There are plenty of wonderful tracks beyond the usual standards, so take your time and enjoy them as your companions this winter.
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[I want more than just the classics!] Hidden winter song gems (41–50)
Winter FairyMatsuda Seiko
It’s exactly because winter makes us crave human warmth that we feel like listening to pop music, isn’t it? “Winter Fairy,” a song that brings a touch of fun to the season, is a cute winter tune.
Included on Seiko Matsuda’s 1981 release “Kazetachinu,” the moment the intro starts, you can feel winter arriving.
Its rhythmic sound and her gentle vocals warm up the freezing season.
Alongside the bittersweet songs, her happy side is also part of her charm.
Add this winter song by an eternal idol to your playlist.
[Beyond the Classics] Hidden Winter Song Gems (51–60)
Song of a Winter DayGReeeeN
GReeeeN is a four-member vocal group that sings about human kindness and strength.
Their song “Fuyu no Aru Hi no Uta” is a hidden gem of a ballad you’ll want to listen to with someone special.
Included on their 2009 release “Shio, Kosho,” its string intro evokes the feeling of winter.
The lyrics, which honestly express feelings for a lover, resonate with their emotional vocals.
With its beautiful melody and harmonies, this track is perfect for warming up the winter chill.
How about adding it to your new winter playlist?
Two People in WinterOda Kazumasa
It’s included on the first album released under Kazumasa Oda’s name, K.ODA, in 1986.
It begins with a tense intro that quickens like a heartbeat, and the unmistakable clarity of Oda’s high, transparent voice combined with the power of the backing band creates a sense of urgency.
You can feel the biting cold and pain of lovers facing a breakup by the midwinter sea.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to alone with headphones on a crisp, cold winter day.
Winter SongEXILE TAKAHIRO
With a clear, translucent tone, this song delivers a gentle warmth that nestles into the quiet of winter.
TAKAHIRO, vocalist of EXILE, released his first Christmas song in December 2024—one he had been nurturing for two to three years.
The lyrics, which sing of the preciousness of time spent with a loved one on a snowy night, delicately capture both the sentimentality of winter and the warmth of love.
Premiered at a Christmas live show at Tokyo Garden Theater that same December, the song deeply resonated with fans.
It’s the perfect number for nights when you want to quietly warm your heart while gazing at the glow of holiday lights.
snow dropL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
This is a song called “snow drop” by the charismatic rock band L’Arc~en~Ciel.
The sharp tone of the guitar feels somehow similar to the kind of cold winter air that makes you stand up straight.
It’s a track you’ll want to hear in the dead of winter, with beautiful lyrics that sing about the season romantically.
Diamond DustHimuro Kyosuke
Released in 1999 as the 18th single, it was the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Ice World,” and in 2012 it was also used as the ending theme for Sega’s game “Yakuza 5.” How about listening to this exquisite ballad during the cold season when you long for human warmth? With gentle piano and powerful guitar tones, Kyosuke Himuro’s sultry vocals overflow with the warmth of love and resonate deeply in the heart.
It’s a song that seems to loosen a heart and body stiffened by the cold.
Before winter endsShimizu Shota
When it comes to winter events for lovers, Christmas is the first that comes to mind.
There are plenty of Christmas songs that lift the spirits of couples, but this track—Shota Shimizu’s “Before Winter Ends”—is truly a hidden gem, a perfect number for lovers at the end of the year.
For those who are busy with work and can’t meet often, or are in a long-distance relationship where meeting isn’t so easy, this song will likely resonate deeply.
It’s a gentle love song that conveys the longing to see someone and warms your heart with kindness toward your partner.
