Classic winter ballads. Recommended winter ballad roundup [2026]
Winter tends to make us yearn for connection and feel sentimental, and combined with the beauty of winter scenery, ballads fit the season perfectly.
In fact, many popular winter songs are ballads, and this article rounds up just such beloved winter ballads.
We’ve gathered a wide range of tracks—from timeless standards and classics to winter songs by today’s popular artists.
Whether it’s Christmas, a quiet winter night alone, a day on the slopes, or a winter drive, find the perfect song to match your mood for any winter scene.
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Classic winter ballads. Recommended winter ballad roundup [2026] (71–80)
I’m beat.sumika
sumika’s songs are known for their delicate lyrics and emotionally rich melodies, and this track is no exception.
Included on the July 2017 album “Familia,” it portrays wintry memories and the ache of heartbreak.
The recollection of days spent with a lover in the cold still lingers in the heart.
Kenta Kataoka’s low voice gently stays close to you.
The feeling of being unable to accept the end of a relationship is deeply relatable.
It’s the perfect song for soothing the pain of a breakup or for quietly listening alone on a winter night.
Bolero of Winter WitheringNaoto Intiraymi
We present a heartwarming ballad that dramatizes a breakup and reunion with a lover, set against evocative, wintery cityscapes.
Naoto Inti Raymi’s digital single, released in January 2025, is a gem that gently sings of the bittersweet feelings of lovers who drift apart and the joy of finding each other again.
Its lavish string arrangement blends beautifully with his warm, resonant vocals.
The track is included on the April album Intersection, positioned as a core song celebrating the 15th anniversary of his debut.
From the rush of spotting a loved one in a crowded street to the renewed resolve to walk forward together, the tapestry of emotions woven here makes it the ultimate love song—perfect for warming the heart in the cold season and for anyone seeking to feel the bond with someone special.
Snow WhiteMarushii
Marcy’s “Shirayuki” is a ballad that sings of the bittersweet memories of a winter farewell.
Released as a single in 2020, it debuted at No.
10 on the LINE MUSIC Top Songs chart.
Its lyrics, which many listeners can relate to, drew attention, and on Uta-Net, the largest lyrics site, “Shirayuki” claimed the top spot in the attention rankings.
The sleigh bells and bell sounds you hear from the intro evoke Christmas, making it perfect for those cold winter days when you’re feeling wistful.
Classic Winter Ballads. Recommended Winter Ballad Collection [2026] (81–90)
Together…MAX
MAX, the dance-vocal group that celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2020, has released a newly recorded, rearranged version of their classic 1999 track “Issho ni…”.
It’s a highly popular medium-tempo ballad—unusual for MAX, who are best known for dance-focused songs—singing about feelings of love that grow stronger in the cold month of December.
The new version’s music video also features Asahi Nao, who is from the same agency as MAX, so be sure to check it out!
Christmas on a starry nighttsuji ayano
Singer-songwriter Ayano Tsuji.
Be sure to check out her 2005 release “Hoshifuru Yoru no Christmas” (“Christmas on a Starry Night”) as well.
It’s a Christmas-themed song that depicts deepening love with someone special on a beautiful, star-lit night.
While Ayano Tsuji is strongly associated with ukulele-and-vocal performances, this work incorporates piano and other instruments, resulting in a more luxurious sound.
That fresh departure from her usual style may well have contributed to the song’s success.
Snow-colored EarringsHikaru GENJI
Yukiiro no Pierce interweaves lyrics that portray the fleeting nature of snow that melts away in an instant with a bittersweet love story.
It was included on Uchu Yuei, the 1993 album by Hikaru GENJI, the idol group that gained popularity for their acrobatic performances.
Opening with an over two-minute intro that evokes a fantastical winter landscape, the song unfolds into their expansive choral work.
It’s a ballad wrapped in a warm melody that gently embraces the cold, snowy season.
Listen closely to the lines that tell a love story that comes to an end along with the end of winter.
Snowdomekōda mahiru
Mahiru Koda is a singer-songwriter from Okinawa who is also active as a model and talent.
Her 2022 release “Snowdome” is a song that portrays the poignant moments of spending a winter night alone as white snow quietly piles up.
It captures the growing longing to see a loved one while recalling everyday moments shared together.
With her clear, snow-evoking vocals and melody, it’s a sentimental ballad that conjures wintery scenes.
Give this winter song a listen and let yourself be wrapped in the pure feelings of thinking about someone you love, even when you can’t be with them.