[Winter Songs] Classic Showa-era masterpieces. Popular songs you’ll want to listen to in winter.
In the Showa era, countless classic and hit songs were born and cherished by many listeners.
Winter, in particular, was a season packed with events like Christmas and New Year’s, and filled with dramatic themes such as snowy landscapes.
In this special feature, we introduce some of the finest winter songs from the Showa period.
We hope that those who experienced the era in real time will feel nostalgic, while those who did not will find it fresh and enjoyable.
Please enjoy!
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Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri
Sayuri Ishikawa’s universally recognized signature song, released in 1977 as her 15th single.
It was the track that marked her transformation from an idol debutante into a full-fledged enka singer, earning her the Vocal Performance Award at the Japan Record Awards among many other honors and securing its place as a major hit.
Depicting the feelings of a woman heading north, the song has been covered by numerous famous artists such as Sachiko Kobayashi and Masayoshi Yamazaki, and has also been covered overseas in Mandarin and Taiwanese versions—spreading across the sea and winning hearts throughout Asia.
White Winterfuki no tō
Set against the shifting season from late autumn into winter, this work gently sings of the bittersweet ache of a love now past.
Released in September 1974 as Fuki no Tō’s debut single, it reached No.
14 on the Oricon weekly chart and sold approximately 185,000 copies.
Rooted in a simple acoustic guitar arrangement, the interwoven harmonies of the duo’s voices delicately portray the deepening loneliness of autumn and the arrival of a white winter.
Its unadorned, pure folk sound quietly evokes nostalgia for lost time, making it a timeless classic.
Perfect for nights when you reminisce about a former love, or for lingering by the window as the snow falls.
Ballad of the Rainbow and SnowTo wa e mo wa
The famous song by Towa Teu Moi, created for the 1972 Sapporo Olympics, is a winter anthem that carries hope across the northern land.
Lyricist Bunichiro Kawamura was given three conditions by NHK—“a song that would be sung for many years after the Games,” “a song that expressed the feelings of Sapporo’s citizens,” and “a song ordinary people could easily sing.” After about two weeks of deliberation, he completed the lyrics.
Through the contrasting motifs of snow and rainbows, the piece conveys both the strength of people living amid harsh nature and a wish for peace that connects nations around the world.
Released in August 1971, it was also performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s a perfect song to listen to when visiting Sapporo in winter or when you want to face forward without yielding to the cold.
Midwinter Datetenchi mari
Mari Amachi, who was a national idol in the early 1970s.
This song, included as the B-side of the single “Futari no Nichiyoubi,” released in December 1972, warmly depicts lovers intertwining their fingers and snuggling close as a wintry, leafless avenue is swept by a cold wind.
The lyrics are by Michio Yamagami, the music by Masayuki Hirao, and the arrangement by Shunichi Makaino.
The words, which sing of love nurtured in the cold season, combine with Amachi’s clear, transparent voice to evoke a sense of hope amid the poignancy.
Featured on a single that sold about 440,000 copies at the time, the track was also included on the album “Ashita e no Melody” and has continued to be loved by fans.
Give it a listen while imagining a moment spent with someone special on a chilly day.
December RainArai Yumi
This song, which captures the loneliness of winter and the bittersweet longing for a love that has passed, is a gem that represents the early work of Yumi Arai.
Released in October 1974 and included on the album MISSLIM, it features a restrained band performance as its foundation, while the beautiful choral work by Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Onuki leaves a strong impression.
There is even an anecdote that Yamashita agreed to join the recording on the condition that he handle the chorus arrangement.
Set against a winter scene of December rain, a quiet nostalgia for days that will never return rises to the surface.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to softly by a window streaked with cold rain, when you feel like immersing yourself in memories of the past.
Outside, it’s a night of white snow.yoshida takurou
It’s a classic that beautifully paints a winter scene.
Takashi Matsumoto’s delicate lyrics and Takuro Yoshida’s soul-stirring voice create a perfect harmony.
The lyrics, depicting a heartbreaking farewell in the falling snow, will resonate deeply with listeners.
Included on the album Rolling 30, released in November 1978, this song has since appeared in various versions on later albums and has become a live favorite.
The fact that many artists—such as Diamond✩Yukai and Akiko Wada—have covered it also speaks to its enduring appeal.
On a cold winter night, when you feel like looking back on memories with a loved one, give it a listen.
You’re sure to spend a moving, heartwarming time.
North TavernHosokawa Takashi
A classic song that portrays an encounter and romance in a northern tavern.
Released in March 1982 as Takashi Hosokawa’s 18th single, it was created by the duo of Rei Nakanishi and Taiji Nakamura, and leans more toward a light, pop-kayō style than traditional enka.
It depicts a man and woman seeking warmth on a chilly night, set to a heartwarming melody.
The song became a major hit, ranking fifth on Oricon’s annual chart for 1982.
It’s a tune perfect for long winter nights, best enjoyed while pleasantly tipsy and taking it slow.
Its singable phrases and conversational vocal style are a perfect match.
Highly recommended for anyone spending the cold season while picturing nostalgic Showa-era scenes.
From the northern innMiyako Harumi
Despite being released in 1975, this timeless masterpiece has continued to be loved across generations, even being used as the theme song for a Nissin Donbei commercial aired in 2021.
As Harumi Miyako’s 67th single, the song became a massive hit, selling over 1.4 million copies and achieving the unprecedented feat of winning both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Cable Radio Award.
The lyrics poignantly express the loneliness of longing for a lover who isn’t there—and likely never will be.
Harumi Miyako’s voice, evoking a woman’s bitter regret, pierces straight to the heart.
My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi
When it comes to Christmas songs, this is the one! Many people probably think of it first.
Included on Yumi Matsutoya’s 10th original album released in 1980, this track has now become a winter classic.
It has been passed down through performances by popular artists such as Seiko Matsuda and Hitomi Shimatani, and new covers have continued to be released even into the 2020s.
As Christmas approaches, you’re sure to hear Yumi Matsutoya’s voice all around town.
Even as various artists release new Christmas songs every year, its popularity never fades—truly a legendary piece.
Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo
A song that seeps into the listener’s heart like falling snow.
Released in February 1986, this number is known as one of Ikuzo Yoshi’s signature works.
It beautifully depicts the snowy countryside and a bittersweet love, becoming a huge hit that reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Yoshi’s warm vocals gently envelop hearts shivering in the winter cold.
This piece also marked a turning point for Yoshi—who had been strongly associated with comic songs—helping him establish himself as a bona fide enka singer.
It’s a perfect listen on a cold winter night when you find yourself thinking of someone.