Masaki Makihara’s famous and popular songs

At all times.Makihara Noriyuki

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

There are so many hit songs that it’s hard to pick just one, but in the end it has to be “Donna Toki mo.” Its positive lyrics—about a weaker self who stumbles and cries, yet still holds their head high wanting to live true to themselves—feel like they contain everything that came to define Noriyuki Makihara afterward.

It’s a song that seems to overlap with his unforced, natural personality, free of any preachiness.

The Magic of DecemberMakihara Noriyuki

12gatsu No Maho (2012 Remaster)

It’s a song that leaves a strong impression with its narrator, single-mindedly inviting someone out in the hope of conveying the warmth of a winter city.

Layering quintessential winter scenes—white breaths in the cold, the glow of street trees—it uses the word “magic” to express a clumsy yet unflinchingly sincere love.

Included on Noriyuki Makihara’s debut album “Kimi ga Warau Toki Kimi no Mune ga Itamanai You ni” in October 1990, this track is positioned as an origin point for the later lineage of winter-themed songs.

Its warm arrangement—melding strings and bell tones into a breezy band ensemble—perfectly complements lyrics so straightforward they’re almost embarrassing.

It’s a number you’ll want to hear when quietly seeing out the year while looking back on the months gone by.

Winter Is Starting (2012 Remaster)Makihara Noriyuki

Fuyu Ga Hajimaru Yo (2012 Remaster)

The fourth single released by Noriyuki Makihara in November 1991 is a winter classic etched in many people’s hearts as the theme song for Sapporo Beer’s “Fuyu Monogatari” commercial.

Its buoyant shuffle beat and the chorus’s striking leaping melody stick in your ears, making it a song that lets you welcome the arrival of winter with excitement.

The lyrics carefully depict the warm, everyday life of a couple in love.

In 2012, a 24-bit digital remaster was included on the album “Aki Uta, Fuyu Uta.

~ Mou Koi Nante Shinai,” and the song was once again used in a commercial.

As the cold season sets in, it’s guaranteed to boost the mood when played at year-end parties or other drinking gatherings.

With its gentle, bright vocals that make you forget the winter chill, it stands as a quintessential winter song.

this winterMakihara Noriyuki

Kotoshi No Fuyu (2012 Remaster)

It’s a slow-tempo love ballad.

It’s the kind of song I’d want to listen to when waking up on a cold midwinter morning.

I think it captures the warm atmosphere of a mature, late-blooming romance very well.

Many of the proper nouns evoke warmth, and the contrast with winter’s cold is lovely.

Monster Under the EavesMakihara Noriyuki

Noriyuki Makihara – Monster Under the Eaves [Music Video] #nokimon

This song sings about a gay romance.

Noriyuki Makihara himself has come out as gay, and the song carries a very strong message.

It’s a catchy pop tune, yet the lyrics and melody have a poignant sadness that really grabs you.

The beautiful yet raw expressions draw you in.

Whether the listener is gay or not, there’s likely a lot in this song they can relate to.

Tokyo DAYSMakihara Noriyuki

Tokyo DAYS

This song portrays the days of an adult who hasn’t forgotten their childlike heart, being jostled by the dull atmosphere of Tokyo.

By today’s standards, it has a bit of a chuunibyou vibe, but it’s a life-encouragement song that resonates with and is relatable to people like that—myself included.

It’s a very positive track that ends with the line “Wonderful Everyday.”

Hungry SpiderMakihara Noriyuki

Hungry Spider by Noriyuki Makihara, covered by Yuki Terada

This is a classic by Noriyuki Makihara, showcasing his distinctive voice—commanding a standout presence in pop—and his exceptional songwriting prowess.

The lyrics could be described as downright carnivorous, yet the song also carries a high-sense, stylish mood and a sense of purity.

It’s a track I can recommend as one that even has the power to make you more attractive.