Recommended winter songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era winter tracks

A town where snow fallsTakayoshio

Takashi Hideo / A Town Where Snow Falls

Takao Akiyama’s “Yuki no Furu Machi o” (The Town Where Snow Falls) is a classic winter song that beautifully portrays snowy landscapes.

The gently accumulating snow and the memories and emotions layered upon it are expressed with delicate nuance.

Released in 1952 and originally created as an insert song for an NHK radio drama, it has been covered by numerous artists and was also featured on Minna no Uta.

Listening to it with older adults may spark lively conversations about winter memories from long ago.

How about enjoying it on a quiet winter night with a warm drink in hand?

Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika

Otaru no hito yo

Tsuruoka Masayoshi and Tokyo Romantica’s “Otaru no Hito yo” is a classic that paints the beautiful scenery of Hokkaido.

It richly conveys the winter landscapes of Otaru and the sorrow of parting, stirring heartfelt feelings for a loved one far away.

Released in 1967, the song became a massive hit, selling over 1.5 million copies and resonating with many people.

For older listeners, it may be a tune that brings back nostalgic memories.

How about listening to it slowly on a winter’s day while gazing out the window? It will surely warm your heart and deepen your feelings for someone special.

From the northern innMiyako Harumi

Harumi Miyako / From the Northern Inn [Live Footage]

“From the North Inn,” a quintessential winter classic of the Showa era.

Released in 1975 as Harumi Miyako’s 67th single, it became a massive hit, selling over 1.4 million copies.

It also achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Cable Radio Award.

Set against the backdrop of a cold northern land, the lyrics portray the heartrending feelings of a woman longing for a lover who has gone.

The scenes of her knitting a sweater and drinking alone convey a palpable sense of loneliness and sorrow.

Paired with Harumi Miyako’s powerful vocals, the song conveys the strength of a woman persevering through hardship.

It’s a perfect track for a quiet winter night when you want to immerse yourself in music.

New Year (Japanese New Year)shouka

New Year (with gestures) [Japanese Songs / Children's Songs]

“Oshogatsu” (New Year’s) is a Japanese children’s song that captures the excitement kids feel as they look forward to the New Year.

Its lyrics are filled with classic New Year activities like kite flying, spinning tops, and bouncing a handball, and they bring back happy memories.

Since its debut in 1901, it has been loved for over a hundred years.

Singing it with older adults may spark lively conversations as they recall how New Year’s used to be.

With its gentle melody and easy-to-hum tune, why not sing it together and enjoy the New Year atmosphere?

campfireshouka

Bonfire – Taki Bi | By the hedge, by the hedge, around the corner—it's a bonfire, it's a bonfire, burning fallen leaves [Japanese Song / Shoka]

Starting with the words “Kakine no kakine,” the song Takibi (Bonfire) is a children’s song that evokes heartwarming memories on cold winter days.

You can almost picture children gathering around the flames as fallen leaves are collected and burned.

Composed in 1939 for an NHK program, this song has long been beloved by many.

It’s perfect for tracing nostalgic memories while sensing the transition from autumn to winter.

Try humming it together with older adults—it might spark lively tales from the past.

Winter nightshouka

Winter Night (Winter Children's Song)

Many of you may remember singing it in the classroom when you were children.

In keeping with convention, the authorship of both the lyrics and the music for the Ministry of Education song “Winter Night” is not disclosed.

Its first appearance was in the 1912 “Elementary School Songbook,” yet even after more than a hundred years, its melody and lyrics are still admired for their beauty.

The lyrics, depicting family togetherness, contrast the winter cold with the warmth inside the home, conveying a heartwarming scene.

Singing it with older adults may allow you to share nostalgic memories together.

winter sceneryshouka

Winter Scenery (Winter Children’s Song)

“Fuyugeshiki” (Winter Scenery) is a nostalgic Ministry of Education school song released in 1913.

It is a song that celebrates the beautiful scenes at the start of winter, and in 2007 it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” The way the mist lifts to signal the end of autumn, and the out-of-season flowers blooming under the gentle sunlight, are uniquely Japanese scenes born of the country’s richly varied seasons.

We tend to stay indoors during the cold months, but doesn’t listening to this song make you want to go outside and look for winter scenery? It might also be nice to gaze out the window and hum “Fuyugeshiki” together with older adults.