From new staples to hidden gems! Winter masterpieces recommended for people in their 20s.
For those in their twenties born between 1995 and fiscal year 2004, some may feel their youth was only just yesterday, while others are right in the middle of it now.
In the J-POP scene, it was a time of remarkable musical evolution, and many songs were born with lyrics that reflected a changing sense of distance between people.
This time, we’re introducing winter songs recommended for people in their twenties.
From famous tracks almost everyone has heard at least once to hidden gems, we hope these will be your companions through the cold season.
From new staples to hidden gems! Winter classics recommended for people in their 20s (1–10)
Christmas songback number
This is the 14th single by back number, a three-piece rock band that has won strong support—especially among younger listeners—for its bittersweet melodies tinged with melancholy and lyrics that anyone can relate to.
Released in November 2015, the song was chosen as the theme for the TV drama “5→9: The Monk Who Fell in Love with Me,” and it’s also known as one of the band’s signature tracks, being their only single certified million.
While it’s particularly popular with younger generations, it’s become a staple Christmas song in today’s J-pop scene, so it’s likely familiar to a wide audience.
It’s a heartwarming Christmas song that’s also recommended for people in their twenties, who may find it harder to express their feelings straightforwardly.
Snow Magic FantasySEKAI NO OWARI
This is SEKAI NO OWARI’s fifth major-label single, released in January 2014.
Chosen as the CM song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI” campaign, it reached No.
1 on both the Oricon Weekly Singles Ranking and Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales.
The processed tones of classical instruments create a majestic atmosphere, while the band’s signature fantasy-style arrangement evokes a sparkling Christmas mood.
This work is a dreamy winter song that portrays a fleeting romance with a snow spirit, imbued with a deep narrative that explores the boundaries between life and death, and between dreams and reality.
With a generally low-key melody, it’s easy for men to sing and a great pick for winter karaoke.
broad daylightNEW!King Gnu
When we watch the snow falling hard, a bittersweet yet beautiful melody comes to mind.
It’s a signature song by King Gnu, released digitally in 2019 and written as the theme for the drama “Innocence: False Accusation Lawyer.” The lyrics depict a heartfelt wish to have an irreparable past and one’s mistakes concealed beneath pure white snow.
No matter how much we regret, time won’t turn back; all we can do is keep walking through the continuous present—a painful truth most of us have felt at least once.
Begun by Daiki Tsuneta at the end of 2018, the track went on to set astonishing streaming records.
It’s also an indispensable winter soundtrack on TikTok.
Listening to it in the cold air might be a good chance to face your own heart.
Winter GiftNEW!mosao.
Sung by Mosawo, a singer-songwriter who performs without showing their face, this piece is a love song that gently portrays winter romance in down-to-earth words.
The music video released in November 2020 is filled with the aching feelings of unrequited love and the courage to confess, isn’t it? Incorporating strings for the first time, the sound vividly colors the sparkle of winter with a touch of loneliness.
Also included on the album “Koi no Uta,” it drew major attention at the time of its digital release, dominating the top spots on LINE MUSIC’s rankings.
With highly relatable lyrics that make you want to see the person you like, it’s a song you’ll want to listen to closely.
If you play it before Christmas or a winter date, it’s sure to give you the courage to share your feelings with someone special!
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism
Official HIGE DANDism’s eighth digital-only single stirs the heart with its quality melodies and dramatic song development.
Released in October 2022 as the theme song for the TV drama “silent,” this ballad was written specifically at the fervent request of the production team.
The lyrics portray the mindset of searching for the right words to say to someone you love—a story many listeners will likely relate to.
Its wide vocal range makes it challenging, but nailing it feels great, so it’s a perfect song to try at karaoke.
The emotional atmosphere—like seeking warmth in the winter cold—is also part of its charm.
Christmas EveYuuri
A song perfect for the Christmas season has arrived.
Yuri’s 12th major digital-only single overlays lost love and loneliness with the special day of Christmas Eve.
The changing nature of love, likened to the dimming and extinguishing of candlelight, is sure to resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in November 2022, the track reached No.
17 on the Billboard Japan weekly chart.
The music video stars actress Sara Minami and is directed by Elizabeth Miyaji.
It’s a must-listen for anyone enduring the pain of heartbreak or feeling nostalgic about memories with someone special.
SNOW SOUND[Alexandros]
![SNOW SOUND[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e7GvXNOxhng/sddefault.jpg)
A single that paints a richly scenic, fantastical winter world.
Released by Universal Music in February 2017 as the lead track of the single, it was also featured as the CM song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI.” The track showcases [Alexandros]’s signature energetic, pop-infused rock sound.
Its lyrics, depicting the pure feelings of two people who meet, beautifully capture a winter landscape where silence and hope coexist.
It’s a song you’ll want to hear in the cold season—perfect for singing at karaoke or listening to while gazing at snowy scenery.