[2026] Best Karaoke Picks for New Year’s Eve! A Roundup of Popular and Hit Japanese Songs
This is a must-read for anyone planning to hit karaoke at year-end parties like bōnenkai to wrap up the year! This time, under the theme “Japanese songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke on New Year’s Eve,” we’re showcasing a rich selection of timeless hits spanning the Shōwa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras.
In addition to the classic karaoke favorites, the lineup centers on songs you’ll especially want to sing on New Year’s Eve—tracks themed around the occasion and those famous numbers performed on Kōhaku—so there’s something everyone can enjoy, regardless of generation.
Be sure to check it out!
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[2026] Recommended for New Year’s Eve Karaoke! A roundup of popular and hit Japanese songs (61–70)
crimsonX JAPAN
We recommend “Kurenai” for anyone who wants to end the year by singing and shouting their heart out.
It’s one of X JAPAN’s signature songs, released in 1989, and an eternal rock classic.
ToshI’s vocals are exhilarating! The driving speed and the fragile-yet-all-encompassing atmosphere perfectly match the rush from year-end into New Year’s Eve.
Many people have surely been saved by X’s concerts at the end of the year.
Singing it together while layering it with your own memories will give you even more energy.
It’s also a top pick as an uplifting track to wrap up the year feeling refreshed!
ultramarineYOASOBI
Released in 2020 as a digital-only single, Gunjou was inspired by Tsubasa Yamaguchi’s manga Blue Period and was featured in a commercial for Bourbon’s Alfort Mini Chocolate.
Many of YOASOBI’s songs are widely recognized, and this one is especially popular among students.
If you’re at a year-end party with lots of kids, why not pick this song for karaoke? There’s clapping in the track, so get everyone involved and amp up the fun!
horizonback number
A signature song by back number whose heartrending lyrics and melody resonate deeply.
Released in 2021, it was created as an encouragement for the Inter-High School Championships that were canceled due to the pandemic.
The gentle, supportive vocals and lyrics depicting setbacks and hope struck a chord with many, earning it nine consecutive weeks at the top of the streaming charts.
It’s a track that gives a push to young people chasing their dreams.
Singing it with friends at karaoke on New Year’s Eve makes for a perfect way to wrap up the year.
Why not sing it with gratitude for the days gone by and hope for the year to come?
The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell
Supercell’s signature song “Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari” is a masterpiece, isn’t it? Of course, it’s not specifically a winter song, so it might not evoke a New Year’s Eve vibe.
Still, it’s a classic.
You could even say it’s a staple at karaoke.
If a girl sings this when everyone’s together on New Year’s Eve, I bet all the guys will feel their hearts skip a beat.
Ladies, please give it a try.
Thank youikimonogakari
This is a song Ikimono-gakari wrote specifically as the theme for the TV drama Gegege no Nyobo.
It’s no exaggeration to call it a karaoke ballad staple—an extremely popular track.
It’s also known for having been covered by many different artists.
As the title suggests, it’s a song about expressing gratitude, so it’s perfect for year-end karaoke.
Use this song to share your thanks with everyone for the past year! Since it’s well known across generations, it’s a safe choice for any karaoke group.
last year, this yearandāgurafu
It’s a masterpiece that beautifully depicts the New Year’s season! Beginning with the sound of the koto, the song blends rock and traditional Japanese elements to exquisite effect, deeply resonating with listeners.
The repeated lyric “Akemashite omedetou” (“Happy New Year”) leaves a strong impression, conveying hope and gratitude for the year ahead.
Released as a digital single on December 26, 2012, it was also included on the album “7+one ~Oto no Irodori~,” released in July 2013.
It’s the perfect track to sing at the stroke of midnight or at a New Year’s party, guaranteed to lift the atmosphere in an instant.
Why not surrender yourself to Undergraf’s delicate vocals and powerful performance, and sing it with your feelings for the new year?
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā
When it comes to the ultimate party staple, it has to be this song, “Memeshikute.” The air band Golden Bomber released it in 2009.
The lyrics depict a bittersweet heartbreak, but that jumping dance in the chorus really gets everyone hyped.
Of course, it’s also a huge hit as a karaoke song! The moment the intro starts, the whole room bursts into excitement.
It’s a classic for year-end and New Year’s parties, so sing it with confidence.
Do the dance too, and you’ll instantly become the star of the night!