A poignant winter classic. A winter song that seeps into the heart on cold days.
Do you ever have those moments when, as it gets colder, you suddenly feel lonely for no clear reason?
You might find yourself craving someone’s warmth or wanting to see your partner more than usual—perhaps you’ve felt that too.
In this article, we’re introducing bittersweet songs that feel especially dear in winter scenes.
Why not listen to some poignant winter tunes that make you think of someone special or a partner you can’t meet?
We’ve picked out deeply relatable, heartrending songs—from new releases to timeless classics.
Be sure to listen with your winter days.
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A poignant winter classic. Winter songs that touch the heart in the cold season (71–80)
the best in the worldInoue Sonoko
A song written and composed by Yoshiki Mizuno of Ikimono-gakari.
You might know it as the theme song for the dating variety show Ainori: Asian Journey.
There are plenty of things she dislikes about the person she loves, and yet she still loves him and wants to stay closest to him.
It’s a winter love song by Sonoko Inoue that depicts a woman’s honest feelings.
DEPARTURESglobe
globe’s “DEPARTURES” is the song you want to listen to in a winter that pierces with cold and loneliness.
Released in 1996 as their fourth single, it boasts the second-highest sales among tracks produced by Tetsuya Komuro, following Namie Amuro’s “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?”.
In this song, the overflowing feelings for the other person, carried by a melody that seals in pure heartache, feel painfully real.
KEIKO’s stirring vocals linger as a poignant afterglow long after the song ends.
Snow, Moon, and FlowersShonan no Kaze
When it comes to winter songs, many people picture mellow ballads, but I also recommend tracks like this one by Shonan no Kaze that passionately and ruggedly belt out love.
It’s a heartfelt thank-you to one’s partner for “staying by my side.” While the vibe may differ from a typical ballad, the message carried by the song is beautiful and sure to move you.
Plus, the music video, which tells a touching story, is a must-see.
whiteoutreGretGirl
It’s a song where the sadness of winter intertwines with the pain of heartbreak.
Included on reGretGirl’s mini-album “my,” released in December 2017, this track gripped the hearts of young listeners.
It vividly portrays the shock of realizing the person you love has found someone else.
There’s a striking confession scene over the phone while driving down the highway at night.
Memories of the days they spent together come flooding back one after another.
Regret and bittersweet feelings seem to seep into the cold winter heart.
The song drew buzz on social media and received high praise from Nicole Fujita.
It’s a winter classic that comforts anyone who has experienced a broken heart.
Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko
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.
White Winterfuki no tō
This is a lyrical piece that poignantly sings of the transition from autumn to winter.
Carried by the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar, it overlays the sorrow of a bygone love and shifting emotions onto the changing of the seasons.
The transparent harmonies of Fukinotou weave a delicate world that resonates deeply in the heart.
Released as a debut single in September 1974, the song gradually gained popularity after being featured on Takuro Yoshida’s All Night Nippon, eventually reaching No.
14 on the Oricon charts.
As the duo’s signature song, it has since been covered by numerous artists.
It is a track that gently accompanies the resolve to quietly accept the end of a romance—one to listen to when you wish to heal the wounds of heartbreak or to put your feelings in order.
Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi
A masterpiece that brilliantly fuses Eastern and Western musical elements, this film score was created by Ryuichi Sakamoto in 1983 and won the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music.
Its graceful pentatonic melody is interwoven with the delicate timbres of synthesizer and glass harp, bringing a gentle sense of expansiveness to the heart.
Re-arranged as a solo piano album titled “Coda,” the work also received high acclaim worldwide as the soundtrack to the film “Merry Christmas, Mr.
Lawrence.” Cherished by many artists, including Hikaru Utada and Sarah Brightman, this gem continues to offer profound emotion—an ideal, soothing background for quiet nights or moments when you wish to calm your mind.