Japanese Pop Winter Song Rankings [2026]

Christmas EveYuuri57rank/position

Yuuri 'Christmas Eve' Official Music Video

This is a winter ballad characterized by a poignant melody and lyrics that resonate with the heart.

It was released digitally in November 2022 and was also included on the album “Ni,” which came out in March of the following year.

With Yuuri’s expansive vocals, it delicately captures the loneliness felt on Christmas Eve and the pain of a lost love.

The gentle guitar sound also really sinks into your chest.

I think it’s a song that stays close to your heart when you listen to it on a winter night alone, or when you’re trying to overcome a farewell with someone important.

Mr.SnowmanE-girls58rank/position

e-girls / Mr.Snowman

This pop tune depicts a love that boldly tries to reach someone who stands before you, cold and towering like snow.

Its catchy melody and fast-paced electro sound express both the heartache of being unable to take that first step toward him and the determined, positive feelings of not giving up.

Released in November 2014 as E-girls’ 12th single, it was featured in commercials for UHA Mikakuto’s e-ma throat lozenges and Prince Hotels’ snow resorts, and peaked at No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

The music video, evoking a shimmering white world, is dreamlike and perfectly heightens the mood of winter romance.

It’s a winter song that’s perfect for those moments when you need a push in love or want to get hyped with friends at karaoke.

1999Hitsuji Bungaku59rank/position

Hitsujibungaku “1999” (Official Music Video)

A song that vividly portrays a night at the end of the century adds color to your winter Instagram.

This track by Hitsujibungaku is set on Christmas Eve of 1999, delicately expressing the anxiety and anticipation felt at a turning point in time.

Released in December 2018, it exudes a wistful mood perfect for the Christmas season.

Through childhood memories and relationships with a loved one, the lyrics depict the protagonist’s inner conflict, resonating deeply with listeners.

It’s a recommended pick for posts that capture the feeling of winter.

Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko60rank/position

Kyoko Koizumi Embraced by the Wintry Wind

A timeless song that captures the poignant longing of winter love.

Kyoko Koizumi’s clear, crystalline voice resonates deep in the heart.

Released in November 1986, this work is also known as the theme song for the film “Don’t Lay a Hand on My Woman.” Written and composed by Toshihiko Takamizawa of THE ALFEE, its beautiful melody accentuates the lingering sadness of love and leaves a strong impression.

It was performed at the 38th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1987, capturing the hearts of many.

A song you’ll want to listen to on a cold winter night when you find yourself thinking of someone.

It gently nestles close to those in love and awakens a warm sense of empathy.

Love StoryAmuro Namie61rank/position

Love Story -Live edit- / (2024 updated version)

Love Song “Love Story” by Namie Amuro, Japan’s songstress who retired in 2018.

This song, which portrays a woman’s feelings as she chooses to part ways with her lover and move forward on a new path, likely resonated with many women and brought them to tears.

Even as she resolves to separate, it conveys gratitude for having met that person and the enduring love that remains even after the breakup, powerfully communicating the pain in her heart.

Winter is a season filled with events for couples, but this is a masterpiece I’d especially recommend to women who choose to break up before those occasions.

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wintering swallowMori Masako62rank/position

wintering swallow

This gem of a ballad, which eloquently sings of the aching melancholy of painful love, is a masterpiece that showcases Masako Mori’s outstanding vocal prowess.

Its poetic world is striking: the feelings of a woman who has thrown herself into a forbidden romance are overlaid with the image of a lone swallow that defies the seasons and makes its home out of place.

Mori’s limpid voice intertwines with the heartrending melody, where sorrow and passion cross, creating a deeply moving song.

After its 1983 release, her tearful performance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen drew widespread attention, and the song earned her the Best Vocal Performance award at the 25th Japan Record Awards.

Even among enka songs that give voice to bittersweet longing, this work stands out for its richly expressive phrasing.

It’s the perfect piece for those moments when you want to pour your emotions into the song and sing your heart out, as if setting your soul free.

SnowdomeKimura Kaera63rank/position

Kaela Kimura “Snowdome” (Official Music Video)

A pop tune that conjures a sparkling snowy scene, as if trapped inside a snow globe.

It’s one of singer Kaela Kimura’s signature songs—she’s also celebrated as a fashion icon—and it was released in January 2007 as her 8th single.

Many will remember it from JR East’s “JR SKISKI” TV commercials, in which she herself appeared, where it aired frequently.

The composition was handled by the rock band BEAT CRUSADERS, and the fusion of band-driven speed with a bittersweet, catchy melody feels so satisfying.

It’s also included on the album “Scratch,” and its charm remains undimmed to this day.

Perfect for winter drives or karaoke.

Take in the seasonal atmosphere and give it another listen.