[New Year BGM] New Year Songs Loved Across Generations
Background music that enhances the New Year’s atmosphere is an essential part of kicking off a fresh year! The songs you choose may vary depending on the scene—whether it’s the cozy time spent gathered around osechi dishes, the lively moments with relatives, or music you’d like to play while getting ready for your first shrine visit of the year.
In this article, we’ve collected a wide range of music, from tracks that evoke traditional Japanese vibes to J-pop themed around the New Year.
You’re sure to find a song that will make your New Year’s celebration even more festive!
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- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
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- [For Seniors] Winter Classics to Sing in January: Heartwarming Moments with Nostalgic Children’s Songs and Kayōkyoku (Japanese Popular Songs)
- Winter Songs: Classic tracks you want to listen to in winter. Songs you long for during the winter.
- [Winter Songs] The Best Classic and Popular Winter Tunes to Listen to in Winter
- [2026] Classic Western songs to celebrate the New Year: Popular tracks to kick off the year
- Songs to Play at the End of 2026! A Roundup of New Year’s Eve and Winter J‑Pop
[New Year BGM] New Year Songs Loved Across Generations (21–30)
Grandma used to say—on the morning when a new year is born—magcafe at garden
The lyrics tell a story I heard from my grandmother: that during the New Year, a deity called Toshigami-sama comes to bring happiness.
The song also weaves in imagery of small children.
With its gentle performance and themes of grandmothers and little ones, it’s a heartwarming piece.
New Year’s mochi pounding
It has long been cherished as background music that heralds the New Year.
The words carry wishes for abundance and family health, and it has been loved in Japanese households for generations.
The melody, imbued with the warmth of traditional instruments, is perfect for a calm start to the year.
Some of you may even remember enjoying it as a hand-play song in your childhood.
[New Year’s BGM] New Year Songs Loved Across Generations (31–40)
Hitotsu to ya
There’s a counting song called “Hitotsu Toya” that’s beloved at New Year’s.
A counting song is one that incorporates numerals or centers on the act of counting, and “Hitotsu Toya” is a counting song whose lyrics include New Year’s decorations and children’s play.
The patterns vary by era and region, so it might be nice to ask what the lyrics are like in your area when family and relatives gather for the New Year.
It’s something you can enjoy with small children, too, so try learning a variety of versions.
January 1st
Many of you may know it because it was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s popular New Year program, “Shinshun Kakushi Gei Taikai.” The song “Ichigatsu Ichijitsu” (January 1st) exists in three composition patterns: one by Chikai Inagaki and Sannosuke Koyama, one by Sonpuku Senke and Shingyo Ue, and one by Shigeru Kuzuhara and Kosuke Komatsu.
Yachiyo Shishi
A renowned piece of traditional jiuta and koto music cherished as a New Year’s seasonal hallmark.
Its elegant melody and auspicious lyrics express the joy of the New Year.
The sounds of Japanese instruments, centered on the shamisen and koto, evoke the beauty of Japanese tradition.
It has long been familiar, having been incorporated into kabuki’s backstage music and nagauta.
There are also performances in various arrangements—such as the large orchestral version by Michio Miyagi—showcasing its many charms.
It’s perfect not only as background music for the New Year, but also for celebratory occasions like New Year’s parties or Coming-of-Age Day ceremonies.
It could also be a great opportunity to experience traditional Japanese music.
The Kite Song
This “Kite Song” may not be as well-known as Rentarō Taki’s “New Year,” but it is a famous Japanese children’s song.
In the Kansai region, which was the center of Japan at the time, kites were called “ikano-bori” (paper squid).
In response, Edo townspeople chose the opposite of “ika” (squid) and named them “tako” (octopus), which is said to be the origin of the term “tako-age” (kite flying).
Owing to the influence of this song, paper kites came to be called “tako-age” in modern usage.
Early spring
This piece, Hatsuharu, is a classic of the hauta repertoire.
As the title suggests, it celebrates the arrival of the New Year, and its lyrics feature many New Year–related customs and events such as the lion dance and urajiro fern.
Though not very well known, it’s a wonderful song that truly evokes the feeling of spring when you hear it.