[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!

Playlist

[2026] Best Karaoke Picks for New Year’s Eve! A Roundup of Popular and Hit Japanese Songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	ToughSaucy Dog		Saucy Dog's emotional rock ballad
2	Irohakocchi no kento		A new song themed around the seasonal traditions of New Year’s and year-end
3	travel anecdoteCreepy Nuts		A song that sings about Creepy Nuts' trajectory
4	Year-end songs from 12/26 onward[Alexandros]		Soothing rock to look back on the year at the end of the year
5	the last day of the monthsupittsu		A high-energy classic by Spitz is perfect
6	National Sake-Drinking Festival Song of Japanbarakūda		The barracuda drinking song playfully expresses Japanese culture
7	Cheers, charisma! Year-end partyShichinin no Karisuma		Karaoke songs for a year-end party by seven charismatic people
8	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Akiko Wada’s signature songs give hope and strength
9	Let’s dance at my place (New Year’s Eve)Hoshino Gen		Introduction to Gen Hoshino’s hopeful songs
10	December RainArai Yumi		A melancholic ballad by Yumi Arai depicting winter and heartbreak
11	SubaruTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s classic song “Subaru” is an iconic year-end anthem.
12	365 daysMr.Children		Mr.Children's '365 Days' is a classic wedding song.
13	December 31NMB48		Depicting the loneliness of New Year’s Eve and resolutions for the New Year
14	Christmas songnon		A Christmas anthem that wraps winter’s loneliness in warmth
15	waiting in vainrokudenashi		A bittersweet love song written by Ninjin
16	Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken		Liven up the year-end with Matsuken Samba
17	North Wind ~May It Reach You~Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara’s winter ballad song
18	New Year’s March!Nijigasaki Gakuen Sukūru Aidoru Dōkōkai		Nijigasaki’s New Year 2024 song, enjoying the change of seasons
19	29Nishino Kana		Kana Nishino’s song that portrays the feelings at the end of one’s twenties
20	The Land of ‘Good Job’ (Otsukaresama)Saitō Kazuyoshi		Kazuyoshi Saito’s thank-you song
21	Disco BabyTravis Japan		A J-pop dance track brimming with disco vibes
22	SenbonzakuraHowaitoFureimu feat. Hatsune Miku		Senbonzakura is a Vocaloid song that has been loved for a long time.
23	JANE DOEYonezu Kenshi, Utada Hikaru		A sad yet beautiful song by Kenshi Yonezu × Hikaru Utada
24	Good job.kocchi no kento		Kocchino Kento’s 3rd-anniversary cheer song
25	Shin-Pen-Pineapple-Apple-PenPikotarō		New song released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Piko Taro’s signature hit
26	CharismaxSnow Man		An ambitious work that sublimated Para Para culture into the modern era
27	Matsuriteranishi yuma feat. izumi pinko		A festive track that connects laughter through Wa and EDM
28	Let’s start a band.wasureranneeyo		A soul-stirring song for band members
29	Beep boopFRUITS ZIPPER		FRUITS ZIPPER's new song gives me energy
30	Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls		NICO Touches the Walls debut single
31	Over The Horizon!naniwa danshi		Naniwa Danshi’s song of adventure and hope
32	Bitter VacationMrs. GREEN APPLE		Recommendation for Mrs. GREEN APPLE's 'Bitter Vacance'
33	Yes, with pleasure.kocchi no kento		Kocchi no Ken and “Hai, Yorokonde” are big hits.
34	Year-end party! BOU! NEN! KAI!A.B.C-Z		ABC-Z's year-end party song
35	nomineeCYNHN		CYNHN's new song of hope and challenge
36	New Year’s DayELLEGARDEN		ELLEGARDEN New Year-themed punk song
37	Tonight is a Hearty PartyJuice=Juice		Covers of Mariya Takeuchi’s classic songs, fun and warmth
38	five mon coinsMOROHA		MOROHA’s unique rap-sounding track
39	HIRAKEGOMANumber_i		Number_i streams with the theme of challenge and self-growth
40	Stargazertayori		Hope to move into the future on a journey among the stars
41	BYE! THIS YEAR!! HI! NEW YEAR!!Eijia Enjinia		Asia Engineer’s year-end cheer song
42	SunYorushika		Yorushika’s new song questions the transience of life as a film theme song
43	All-Night RadioAdo		Coloring New Year’s Eve with Ado’s new song
44	If I Hadn’t Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer		A fresh start for the New Year with songs by Aimer
45	faceCIVILIAN		Emotionally resonant songs by CIVILIAN
46	SoliloquyClariS		A cute, poppy song for an anime tie-in
47	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)GReeeeN		Introducing the appeal of GReeeeN’s classic song “Michi”
48	best day, best wayLiSA		LiSA’s bright pop song
49	morning starLiSA		Opening theme song of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc
50	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		Cheering Song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
51	Even when next year comesMy Hair is Bad		Songs suited for the year-end and New Year season resonate with listeners
52	December 31NMB48		NMB48’s bittersweet cheering song
53	Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK songs that hype you up
54	PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH		Pikotaro sparks a huge boom with his dance
55	Is that okay?RADWIMPS		Is “Is It Okay if it’s RADWIMPS’ signature song?”
56	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		A cheer song by SEKAI NO OWARI
57	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		Perfect for the New Year: a SHISHAMO cheer song
58	BeautifulSuperfly		A song by Superfly that encourages women
59	At least for today.TETORA		Introducing TETORA’s emotional rock songs
60	Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		Refreshing with UNISON’s signature song
61	The impact of a single dropUVERworld		UVERworld’s powerful cheer song
62	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Vaundy’s signature song, a popular track with a sense of speed
63	Rusty NailX JAPAN		Let's liven up New Year's Eve with X JAPAN's classic hits
64	crimsonX JAPAN		Let's liven up the year-end with Kurenai by X JAPAN
65	ultramarineYOASOBI		The Appeal and Popularity of YOASOBI’s “Gunjou”
66	horizonback number		An inspiring cheer song by back number
67	The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell		The famous song “The Story You Don’t Know” by supercell
68	Thank youikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari's gratitude song
69	last year, this yearandāgurafu		Expressing hope for the New Year through classic year-end and New Year songs
70	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā		Golden Bomber’s “Memeshikute” is a classic staple for party performances.
71	Smile for me.Sambomasutā		Sambomaster's rock song chosen as a TV drama theme song
72	Spaceship on New Year’s EveSuga Shikao		Suga Shikao's song recommendations for New Year's Eve
73	New Year’s Eve SongRemioromen		Remioromen New Year’s Eve Scenic Song
74	WHYKato Miria		Miliyah Kato’s passionate anthem empowering women
75	Happy DaysOtsuka Ai		Ai Otsuka's songs get the crowd going
76	loveHoshino Gen		Gen Hoshino's 'Koi' becomes a social phenomenon
77	STARsKimura Kaera		Kaela Kimura’s pop rock song
78	Ultramarine DaysToukyou Jihen		Popular singles by Tokyo Jihen
79	A Happy New YearMatsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s year-end karaoke finale song
80	evolutionHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s 20th single
81	Heart color ~a song for the wonderful year~Fukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic songs to listen to at the end of the year
82	LOSERYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu's fast-tempo, full-powered song
83	LemonYonezu Kenshi		The appeal of Kenshi Yonezu’s signature song “Lemon”
84	sparkleFuji Kaze		A signature song by Fujii Kaze, perfect for the year-end
85	FlowerFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s new song “Hana” is a soothing track that portrays individuality and fragility
86	mottöJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY 20th single
87	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		SMAP signature ballad
88	Baby Don’t CryAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s signature song that empowers women
89	Farewell to Youthful DaysHotei Tomoyasu		Looking back on the year’s end with Tomoyasu Hotei’s classic songs
90	Heavy rotationAKB48		Yuko Oshima center song, Heavy Rotation
91	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA’s cheer song, excitement rising