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Japanese music edition: roundup of Christmas songs. New tracks and classic favorites [2026]
Once December arrives, you start hearing Christmas songs everywhere, don’t you? Many people may also want to play Christmas songs at parties to get into the festive mood.
That said, there are so many Christmas songs that it can be hard to choose.
So in this article, we’ll introduce a generous selection of classic Christmas songs! We’ve picked not only the latest Christmas tracks, but also many timeless favorites that have remained popular for years.
Please use this as a reference and have a wonderful Christmas filled with great music.
Compilation of Japanese Christmas Songs: New Tracks and Classic Hits [2026] (1–10)
As expected, the popular picks are the classic songs that boost the Christmas atmosphere!
First, from among popular Christmas songs, we’ll introduce 10 editor-recommended tracks. While featuring many of the latest numbers, we’ll also include classic staples beloved nationwide—let’s take a look at our top 10 picks!
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro
Tatsuro Yamashita’s Christmas song, also memorable as the JR Tokai commercial theme featuring Eri Fukatsu and Riho Makise! Its melody warmly wraps you up on a chilly white Christmas night, and the lyrics include words perfect for the season.
Yet the story they tell is different from a glamorous Christmas—it portrays someone spending the holiday alone in loneliness.
It’s a song that feels like a blanket for anyone experiencing a similarly quiet, solitary Christmas.
PresentINI
Released in November 2025 as the title track of the winter single “THE WINTER MAGIC,” this INI song became the group’s first seasonal winter release.
Members Rihito Ikezaki and Hiroto Nishi penned the lyrics, weaving in winter imagery like powdery snow and glowing lights to deliver a straightforward message to someone special, resulting in a holiday pop number.
Shimmering synths and glittering bell-like embellishments evoke the crisp winter air, while INI’s signature multi-layered harmonies bring a warm feeling to the heart.
The single also includes “Kimi ga Ita Kara,” which serves as the theme song for the documentary film INI THE MOVIE “I Need I,” making it a release filled with both sparkle and gratitude.
It’s a perfect track not only for spending Christmas with a loved one, but also for expressing thanks to friends and family.
Christmas eveningLittle Glee Monster
Known for their overwhelming choral work, Little Glee Monster unveiled a new Christmas number in November 2025.
Lyrics are by Sarari Matsubara, with composition and arrangement by Kengo Minamida of agehasprings Party.
The festive melody and the group’s signature beautiful harmonies blend seamlessly.
From the very beginning, radiant choruses ring out, resulting in a sound that feels like bottling the excitement of a city lighting up for the season.
The track is also included as the first song on the digital EP “Your Winters,” positioned as a “gateway to winter 2025” alongside newly recorded versions of their past winter songs.
Perfect not only as party background music but also for a special night with someone important, its bright, sparkly sound warmly embraces every listener.
Halves Christmas≠ME
If you’re looking for a Christmas song perfect for the season when winter illuminations color the city, I recommend the coupling track included on ≠ME’s 11th single, “Exclusive Fighter.” Released in December 2024, this song drew attention as the group’s first Christmas track.
It gently weaves winter scenes spent with a lover, using delicate imagery like white knitwear and cold ears.
Through a familiar moment of sharing cake, the desire to convey love and happiness to the other person comes across clearly.
The lyrics were written by the group’s producer, Rino Sashihara, resulting in a piece that tenderly captures the warmth of a Christmas that exists as an extension of everyday life.
It’s a song that will quietly accompany you not only during a calm Christmas with your partner, but also whenever you want to reaffirm your feelings for someone special.
next toMarushii
Let me introduce a love ballad crafted by Marcy, a three-piece rock band from Fukuoka.
Included on their album “Flavors,” released in November 2025, this track was created as an answer song to their massive hit “Love Song.” Notably, “Love Song” surpassed 100 million total streams in October 2024.
This new piece carefully portrays affection for the “ordinary presence by your side,” reminding listeners of the happiness found in everyday life.
The music video is Christmas-themed, featuring rising actress Hinako Kikuchi as the heroine.
Its warm sound—where the band’s live-performance feel blends smoothly with a poppy melody—is especially appealing.
It’s a song that gently accompanies those special Christmas moments spent with someone important.
Not only ballads but also upbeat Christmas songs are popular.
How have you been enjoying the songs so far? The tracks by popular artists who have led the J-pop scene are, as expected, loved for many years. From here on, we’ll introduce a variety of Christmas songs too, and they’re all timeless classics as well. In addition to Christmas-style ballads, there are also up-tempo tracks that will get your heart dancing!
Merry Tomo-smassYukitomo
Tomoe Sachi, who has a background as a former idol, is active across a wide range of fields through couples’ social media and talent work.
Released in November 2025, this track is a winter pop tune that channels the excitement of Christmas into the character of “Tomoe Santa.” It carefully paints the little joys of strolling through a winter city—like a white coat swaying in the wind, a smile reflected in a shop window, and warmth felt through gloves.
Without leaning too far into melancholy, its charm lies in a bright tone that gives you a gentle push to honestly express your feelings to someone special.
A piano arrangement is included as well, making it enjoyable in a variety of settings, from lively party scenes to quiet night moments.
It’s a song recommended not only for those planning to spend Christmas with someone, but for anyone who wants to savor the spirit of the season.
Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya
Included on the 2001 album “Bon Appetit!” and later released as a single, the song “Suteki na Holiday” evokes images of Christmas and the holy night from start to finish.
As you listen and reach the chorus, many will likely think, “Oh, that song!” Since 2001, it has been used as the Christmas season commercial song for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
It’s a track that conveys the excitement and anticipation that makes you long for Christmas.
