With the start of the Reiwa era on May 1, 2019, a new chapter has begun.
Singers popular especially among younger generations have been producing hit songs, and many tracks themed around “winter” have been created.
In this article, we’ve picked out ballads and pop songs that are perfect for the cold winter season.
You’ll find songs filled with warm words for loved ones, as well as winter tunes that evoke snowy landscapes.
Be sure to check out these winter songs by artists active in the Reiwa-era Japanese music scene.
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A roundup of winter hit songs released in the Reiwa era (1–10)
BetelgeuseNEW!Yuuri
Singer-songwriter Yuuri captivates listeners with a voice that is both powerful and delicate.
Released in November 2021, this song was written as the theme for the TV drama “SUPER RICH.” Its lyrics liken human connections and bonds to the shimmer of stars, evoking the image of gazing up at a clear winter night sky.
The progression from a quiet opening to an explosive, emotionally charged chorus is sure to move anyone who listens.
Featured on the album “Ichi,” it has become a major hit with over 600 million streams.
It’s the perfect song for winter nights—whether you’re spending time with someone special or wanting to feel connected even when you’re apart.
Sound of SnowNEW!Novelbright
Novelbright is a rock band that captured the hearts of many listeners after videos of their street performances spread across social media.
This is the single they released digitally in December 2023.
Chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime A Sign of Affection, the song is a love ballad that gently accompanies the protagonists’ pure romance.
Its beautiful arrangement featuring piano and strings intertwines with Yudai Takenaka’s soaring high-tone vocals, vividly unfolding a serene winter scene of steadily falling snow.
The lyrics, which depict unwavering feelings for a loved one and a new world seen together by two people, will warmly embrace listeners’ hearts during the harshly cold season.
How about taking a quiet moment to listen on a winter night spent with someone special?
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
An emotional and dramatic winter ballad that seeks warmth amid the cold of winter.
It was released in October 2022 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “silent.” While believing in the power of words, it expresses the aching feeling of being unable to speak one’s true heart.
Satoshi Fujiwara’s clear, transparent vocals spin out words that sparkle like snowflakes.
It’s the perfect song for anyone feeling frustrated about not being able to fully convey their feelings to someone important.
Be sure to listen to this gem of a ballad that will warm your heart in the cold season.
PresentINI
This song, included on the first winter single THE WINTER MAGIC released in November 2025, is a romantic dance-pop number that colors winter scenery and the holiday season.
Interweaving images like powdery snow and glowing lights, it gently portrays a pure desire to convey one’s feelings to someone special.
With lyrics penned by Rihito Ikezaki and Hiroto Nishi, the words, spun with an intimate sense of distance, resonate deeply.
The same single also features Because You Were There, written as the theme song for the film INI THE MOVIE “I Need I,” resulting in a work where festivity and sentiment coexist.
The exhilarating blend of shimmering synths and harmonies makes it a perfect track for those special winter moments spent with lovers or family.
silentSEKAI NO OWARI
A song that paints a heartrending story resonating in a quiet winter night.
Released by SEKAI NO OWARI in 2020, it was chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Tuesday drama “Koi wa Tsuzuku yo Doko Made mo” (literally, “Shall We Warm This Love?”).
Set in a town blanketed by snow, it vividly portrays a world where all sound has been stolen.
Only the voice of a loved one remains in the heart, conveying a poignant longing.
Fukase’s delicate vocals seep into the soul.
It appeared on various charts, including Billboard Japan Hot 100, and captured the hearts of many listeners—one of the defining winter songs of the Reiwa era.
Why not listen to it at a relaxed pace while thinking of someone dear to you?
Snow WorldSnow Man
Snow Man is an idol group whose members are active across a wide range of stages, including TV, dramas, and theater.
“Snow World” is a track included on their debut single, “D.D./Imitation Rain,” released in 2020.
The song unfolds with melodies and lyrics full of bright hope and courage, perfectly matching their dazzling performances as they sing and dance on stage.
It’s an idol song that portrays never losing a passionate heart even in the cold, snowy season, by pressing forward toward dreams and goals.
Winter and Springback number
In January 2024, the hugely popular band back number released a song that tells a poignant love story evoking the chill of winter.
Depicting the pain of heartbreak and a journey toward self-acceptance alongside scenes of melting snow, the track resonates deeply with listeners.
In the music video—Shimizu Iyori’s directorial debut—Anna Ishii’s performance is particularly striking.
It’s a song to play when you want to heal from a breakup or face yourself.
Even amid winter’s cold, its melody warms the heart and hints at the coming of spring.