[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!
- [New Year’s Songs] Timeless classics and popular New Year tunes you’ll want to listen to at the start of the year
- Masterpieces to Listen to in January: New Year-Themed, New Year-Ready, and Winter Songs
- Spirit of Wa: Masterpieces for the Koto — Japan’s Beautiful Melodies
- [Japanese-style BGM] Beautiful tones woven from Japanese tradition
- [New Year] A collection of Vocaloid songs to liven up New Year’s parties and year-end parties [Year-End Special]
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
- Nostalgic yet new! Hit songs from the Showa era you’ll want to use as BGM
- Recommended BGM for YouTube Shorts! Popular songs released in the Reiwa era
- [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 (41–50)
The Song of the Twelve Zodiac AnimalsMiyahira Rie
Even though more people are getting by with email and LINE these days, New Year’s cards that arrive on New Year’s Day are still one of the fun parts of the holiday.
You look at the zodiac animal pictured and think, “Oh, so this year is the Year of the ___.” With that, let me introduce a fun song called “The Twelve Zodiac Signs.” The lyrics simply sing the twelve animals in order, but this tune makes it easy to memorize them.
And why isn’t the cat—an animal so familiar to us—part of the zodiac? The story goes that a mouse, who never got along with the cat to begin with, gave it the wrong date, so the cat missed the meeting where the zodiac was decided.
It’s a song with a neat little punchline, and highly recommended.
Fantasia on the Kuroda-bushiSawai Tadao
This “Fantasia on the Kuroda-bushi,” originally sung by former retainers of the Kuroda clan and arranged into a modern style by Mr.
Tadao Sawai, uses traditional Japanese instruments, yet its structure is entirely classical—making it a highly innovative and fascinating work.
The melody expressing the brilliance of spring is particularly striking.
Hakone HachiriTaki Rentarō
Rentaro Taki, who left a profound mark on the history of Japanese music and gave the world numerous timeless songs that are still sung today.
Active during the early Meiji era when Western music was being introduced, Taki is known for works that blend Japanese lyrics with Western melodies.
But did you know he actually released a piece that’s perfect for the New Year season? This song is a Japanese shoka (school song) published in 1901 in “Chugaku Shoka,” featuring a poem by Makoto Torii set to music by Taki.
The lyrics depict the harshness of Hakone’s mountains in the past and present, and the valor of the samurai who crossed them, conveying both the beauty and severity of Hakone’s nature as well as the lives and history of its people.
If New Year’s immediately makes you think of the Hakone Ekiden, be sure to use this song as your BGM as you welcome the New Year.
Moon over the Ruined CastleTaki Rentarō
For the Japanese New Year, we naturally want to listen to works by musicians who historically represent Japan.
Taki Rentaro—whose portrait adorned many a music room wall—left us a quintessential piece of traditional Japanese music, “Kojo no Tsuki” (Moon over the Ruined Castle).
It is truly a dignified composition, perfectly suited to the dawn of a new year.
Please enjoy your special New Year’s day with this piece as your BGM.
New Year (Japanese New Year)Taki Rentarō
This song, New Year’s, is one of the signature pieces by Rentarō Taki, who left behind many famous works.
Many people probably sang it as an assigned song in elementary school.
With lyrics that express a child’s eager anticipation for the New Year, it’s a very charming piece.
It’s a song you’re sure to hear at least once when the New Year comes around.
Radetzky MarchJohann Strauss I
Like The Blue Danube, this is also a staple piece at the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.
Composed by Johann Strauss I, this work has been revised over many years.
It’s a classical piece that is often used by Japanese media during the New Year as well.
Oedo Nihonbashi
Let me introduce a chic tune that heightens the New Year’s atmosphere.
This folk song, born in the Edo period, weaves the post towns and famous spots of the Tokaido Fifty-Three Stations into its lyrics.
Starting from Nihonbashi and moving on to Takanawa, Shinagawa, and Omori, the words make you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time to the Edo era.
Its distinctive hayashi chorus of “Kochae, kochae” is so catchy you’ll find yourself humming along just by listening.
In fact, since 2015 this piece has also been used as the departure melody on the Tokyo Metro.
If you’re sightseeing in Tokyo over the New Year, be sure to keep an ear out.
It’s a perfect BGM choice for your first shrine visit or New Year’s sales outings.