[Winter Songs] The Best Classic and Popular Winter Tunes to Listen to in Winter
As winter approaches, we start hearing winter songs in all kinds of settings more and more often! From timeless classics we hear every year to newer winter songs that have taken root in recent years.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of Japan’s beloved winter tracks all at once, starting with popular hits and spanning many iconic songs of the season! We’ve picked out everything from songs that paint wintry landscapes to bittersweet love songs and winter tracks by buzzworthy bands, so you’re sure to find something that fits your listening situation perfectly! Be sure to listen to your favorites and feel the season of winter.
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[Winter Songs] Masterpieces to Listen to in Winter & Best Popular Winter Songs (131–140)
White KeySuzuki Ami
Ami Suzuki’s fourth single, released in 1998.
It was used as the commercial song for the alpine snowboard brand “kissmark.” Among Tetsuya Komuro’s productions, it’s a winter track with a clear, transparent feel.
Yet the lyrics are, as expected, fleeting—yearning for lost love and memories of the past.
Perhaps everyone longs for someone with whom they can open their heart, for warmth.
It’s a song you want to listen to during that lonely season in December.
Accompanied by Ami Suzuki’s lovely, translucent vocals, it invites you to dwell on beautiful memories of the past.
pure whiteyama
This song delicately portrays the feelings of winter love.
The lyrics, which evoke an image of two people lying on pure white roses, are striking and express the beauty of fleeting love.
yama’s androgynous, husky voice further enhances the sense of longing.
Released in October 2020, the track was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Koi Ai Dorama na Koi ga Shitai ~Kiss On The Bed~.” It also drew attention as yama’s major-label debut.
Recommended for those troubled by love or those who want to cherish time with someone special.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to quietly on a winter night.
Blue MoonNiziU
A winter ballad that delicately captures both the wistfulness and warmth you feel when gazing up at the winter night sky.
It’s a song filled with the charm of NiziU.
Released in November 2022, it gently embraced fans’ hearts.
The lyrics are striking, overlaying thoughts of a precious person far away with fragile yet beautiful imagery like falling snow.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to softly with someone on a cold winter night.
Perfect for creating cherished memories with a lover or friend.
snow jamRin Oto
This is a signature song by Rin-ne, one of the artists who broke through in 2020 thanks to the internet.
This track was the catalyst for his rise, right? He originally made a name for himself in his hometown of Kyushu as a battle MC, but in stark contrast to his battle style, his music features sweet lyrics sung over very mellow, chill tracks.
The catchy melodies that you can’t get out of your head and the lyrics that use familiar, everyday language are especially appealing—it’s easy to see why he’s so popular with younger listeners.
It’s a song with a cool, wintery atmosphere that gently seeps into your heart.
broad daylightKing Gnu
King Gnu’s “Hakujitsu (White Day)” was a massive hit in 2019, leading to the band’s first appearance on that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The song was written as the theme for the drama Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer starring Kentaro Sakaguchi.
Under a request from the producer—to imbue the song with the hope that people who have been falsely accused and forced into harsh circumstances can live positively toward the future—this piece was created.
No matter what we do, the past cannot be changed, yet the song carries a resolve to keep moving through the present and into the future.
The pure white of winter snow resonates with the desire to be reborn, pristine and new.
snow globeKANA-BOON
Here’s KANA-BOON’s winter song, “Snow Globe.” It’s a track from their second album, TIME, released in 2015, and it’s cherished among fans as a hidden gem.
From the intro, the brisk, wind-swept melody carries the bittersweetness of winter.
The lyrics vividly portray fluttering snow and express feelings for someone you can no longer meet.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when looking back on winter memories.
silverLiSA
This piece is known as the ending theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train Arc.
The word “Shirogane,” which evokes wintry scenery, expresses the protagonist’s growth and determination.
The lyrics depict the protagonist moving forward after overcoming the sorrow of losing his family, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released in November 2021, it is LiSA’s 20th single.
It’s a recommended track not only for anime fans but also for anyone seeking the courage to face hardship—a song that empowers the heart.