[For Seniors] Winter Classics to Sing in January: Heartwarming Moments with Nostalgic Children’s Songs and Kayōkyoku (Japanese Popular Songs)

January marks the beginning of a new year and the deepening chill of winter.

On such wintry days, why not enjoy songs perfect for the season in the warmth of your home? Nostalgic classics that sing of snowy landscapes and scenes from northern regions have a special charm that warms the heart.

This time, we’ll introduce a rich selection of enka and children’s songs that beautifully depict the arrival of winter and feelings for one’s hometown.

Singing together will bring back old memories and naturally fill the moment with smiles.

May you enjoy a wonderful time, with both heart and body gently warmed through song.

Playlist

[For Seniors] Winter Classics to Sing in January: Heartwarming Moments with Nostalgic Children’s Songs and Kayōkyoku (Japanese Popular Songs)
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Early Spring OdeSakushi: Ichimasa Yoshimaru / Sakkyoku: Akira Nakata		Sing of the early spring chill and the anticipation of spring
2	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		The charm of the classic youth song “Along the Flow of the Stars”
3	Octopus SongMonbushō shōka		Flying kites at New Year’s—nostalgic memories
4	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Step by step forward, a song of hope, with high spirits
5	Snow TrainMaekawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Maekawa’s classic song depicting a snowy landscape and a train
6	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		A poignant love story woven in a tavern of a northern town
7	SubaruTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s famous song “Subaru,” a heartwarming tune
8	Hymn to the Snowy Mountainsdaakudakkusu		A classic winter song, Snow Mountain Hymn, lifts the spirit
9	Mount Fuji		A Japanese shoka (school song) that sings of Mount Fuji, resonating in the heart.
10	Tsugaru Jongara-bushiHosokawa Takashi		A masterpiece that powerfully reinterprets Tsugaru folk songs
11	fresh snowSakushi: Saeki Takao / Sakkyoku: Sasaki Shun’ichi		Katsuhiko Haida’s youthful song singing of the snowy mountains
12	mochi poundingSakushi: Amano Chou / Sakkyoku: Ichinomiya Michiko		The New Year rice cake pounding song, with a fun rhythm
13	January 1st		The New Year’s song “Ichigatsu Tsuitachi” is refreshing.
14	wintering swallowMori Masako		A classic that sings of a swallow’s budding love—a heartwarming piece
15	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s iconic song depicting scenes of the northern country resonates with the heart.
16	Realm of the StarsSakushi: Sugitani Daikai / Sakkyoku: Chaaruzu Konvâzu		Winter Night Sky, Song of Memories
17	Goodbyeofukōsu		Off Course, the classic song that poignantly sings of a winter farewell
18	Outside, it’s a night of white snow.yoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s classic song “A Night of White Snow Outside”
19	What a nice bath.Za Dorifutāzu		A classic that makes you want to sing in January: 'Ii Yu da na' (What a Nice Hot Bath)
20	Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Tsugaru Strait — Winter Scene is a moving masterpiece.
21	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s famous song portrays the scenery and seasons of the northern country.
22	New Year (Japanese New Year)Sakushi: Azuma Kume / Sakkyoku: Taki Rentaro		The joy and memories of children enjoying the New Year
23	Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō		A moving song that celebrates the strength and pride of fishermen of the northern seas
24	Valentine KissKunikyo Sayuri		A classic Valentine’s song, Sayuri Kokushō’s famous hit
25	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		A classic of farewell and love: Masao Sen's soul-stirring song
26	campfireSakushi: Tatsumi Seika / Sakkyoku: Watanabe Shigeru		The Story of the Children's Song 'Makibi' about Burning Fallen Leaves
27	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Cape of Hokkaido, the soul-stirring classic song ‘Erimo Cape’
28	Mother’s Songkubota satoru		A heartwarming nursery tale depicting a mother's love
29	Daikoku-sama		Daikoku-sama is a traditional folk song that suits the New Year, with a heartwarming melody.
30	A town where snow fallsTakayoshio		The charm of the winter classic ‘Yuki no Furu Machi o’ (The Town Where Snow Falls)
31	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		Ikuzo Yoshi’s “Snow Country,” scenes of love in the northern land
32	Winter nightSakushi sakkyoku: Monbushō shōka		The charm of songs that evoke the warmth of family
33	Lingering Snowiruka		Dolphin’s classic song “Nagori Yuki,” a heartwarming tune
34	Kantarō the North Wind Kiddōyō		Kantaro brings the arrival of winter and the cold wind
35	Hakone HachiriTaki Rentarō		Rentarō Taki’s middle school song, singing of a journey through Hakone
36	Winter night		On a winter night, a century-old masterpiece is passed down
37	Ski Song		The ski song is a refreshing and nostalgic tune.
38	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		An inspiring masterpiece that portrays the life of Hibari Misora
39	snow camelliaKobayashi Sachiko		Sachiko Kobayashi's “Yukitsubaki,” a Song of Hope and Bonds
40	Town of Snow LightsKoyanagi Rumiko		A classic song that sings of snowy northern landscapes and a bittersweet love.
41	National Sake-Drinking Festival Song of Japanbarakūda		Sake-Drinking Ondo: Kick off the New Year with a fun song!
42	snowflowerGodai Natsuko		A classic by Natsuko Godai that sings of a mother’s strength and the winters of her hometown
43	Snow Dance		Feel the season with the winter song “Snow Dance.”
44	mochi pounding		Move your hands happily to the mochi-pounding song
45	Come, spring		An old, nostalgic children’s song that has endured the winter and awaits the spring
46	Winter Constellation		Keizo Horiuchi’s “Winter Constellations” is a heartwarming song.
47	Winter RivieraMori Shinichi		Shinichi Mori’s classic, a song brimming with the emotions of winter
48	Song of the Four SeasonsAraki Toyohisa		A heartwarming masterpiece by Toyohisa Araki
49	snow		“Snow,” a song that paints a winter scene and warms the heart
50	Pechka (a type of Russian masonry stove)		The heartwarming children’s song “Pechka” for a cold winter
51	Octopus Song		Kite flying, a song of nostalgic memories
52	Kuroda-bushi		The folk song of Fukuoka, “Kuroda-bushi,” is famous for its 7-5 syllabic meter.
53	The Blue DanubeJohann Strauss II		The Danube Waltz is New Year’s music.
54	Snow BlossomNakajima Mika		Snow Flower, a famous song symbolizing the gentle kindness of winter
55	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Akiko Wada’s classic song that sings of loneliness and hope
56	Lingering Snow in TsugaruHosokawa Takashi		A homesick song that sings of the snowy scenery of Tsugaru
57	Ozasiki SongWada Hiroshi to Mahina Sutāzu		A cheerful folk song for traditional Japanese instruments by Hiroshi Wada
58	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		An Elegy of Northern Solitude and Lost Love
59	Brr, it’s so cold.		The winter children’s song “O Osamu Kosamu” as a round
60	The Song of the Twelve Zodiac Animals		A nursery rhyme that depicts how to read the zodiac signs and the reasons they were chosen
61	Theme of Shoten		Heal your heart with the Shoten theme song
62	Winter SongKiroro		A heartwarming winter song with a gentle melody
63	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s emotion-filled classic, the scene of an izakaya
64	Suite: Winter ScenesTokoro Jōji		Tokoro George: captivating songs and amusing lyrics
65	Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterIshikawa Sayuri Kobuchi Kentaro		A moving song that portrays the changing of the four seasons.
66	winter stormHosokawa Takashi		A classic enka song that portrays the winter of the northern country and a poignant, aching heart. The Tsugaru shamisen leaves a strong impression.
67	365 Steps MarchSuizenji Kiyoko		An uplifting song by Kiyoko Suizenji that's perfect for the New Year
68	When I turn around, the Sea of JapanItsuki Hiroshi		Introducing Hiroshi Itsuki’s famous songs about the Sea of Japan