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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Poignant winter masterpieces: Winter songs that seep into the heart during the cold season (51–60)
EverythingMISIA
It’s not that the lyrics explicitly mention winter, but this song is also hugely popular as a winter love ballad, isn’t it? MISIA’s vocals, boasting overwhelming power, are beautiful and pair perfectly with the dreamy string accompaniment.
With lyrics that convey a single-minded, straight-from-the-heart love sung in that voice, it’s a masterpiece so moving you can’t listen without being touched.
holly (Japanese holly tree, Ilex crenata)Do As Infinity
This song became a hot topic after being chosen as the theme for the drama “Koibumi: The Man We Loved.” It’s a work by the music duo Do As Infinity, released in 2003 as their 17th single.
With acoustic guitar and strings that linger in your ears, it’s a dreamlike number.
Vocalist Tomiko Van’s cool voice suits the tone and melody perfectly.
The lyrics, which depict missed connections with a loved one, make this a winter song that tightens the chest.
Blue SnowBEGIN
A wistful, blues-tinged Christmas song that blends into the city nightscape.
Released in December 1990 as BEGIN’s second single, it became an early classic, peaking at No.
25 on the Oricon charts.
The track is also included on their second album, GLIDER.
From the lyrics, you can glimpse the solitary figure of the protagonist, standing alone on a glittering street corner with unspoken feelings that never reach their destination.
The melody, which sings of a love that vanishes as fleetingly as snow, brings a quiet poignancy to the listener’s heart.
Perhaps many will relate to those aching emotions that well up unseen precisely because the season is so festive.
the same storyHanbaato Hanbaato
Humbert Humbert is a male-female duo formed in 1998, and the two are a married couple.
This is one of their songs, with lyrics structured as a dialogue between “boku” (I) and “kimi” (you).
If you read deeply, it becomes a sad song, but its unique worldbuilding is addictive after just one listen—highly recommended.
A poignant winter classic. Winter songs that touch the heart in the cold season (61–70)
Someday Merry ChristmasB’z
I bet many people feel like listening to this around Christmas time.
It’s a track by B’z, the unit leading Japan’s rock scene, included on their 1992 mini-album “FRIENDS.” The lyrics create a world that makes you feel like you’re watching a movie—truly captivating.
This is the quintessential ballad.
Even though it’s been years since its release, it still ranks high on karaoke charts and stands as one of the great Japanese winter songs.
Take your time and really listen to it.
Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN
When it comes to winter classics from BUMP OF CHICKEN, who lead the Japanese rock scene, it has to be Snow Smile, right? I bet a lot of men relate to the opening lyrics.
At first it seems to depict a very happy couple, but then…
By the end, you realize it’s a love that’s already been lost.
It’s a winter masterpiece that brings tears both when you picture the warm, happy moments and when you think about the final scene of the song.
Snow WhiteFlower
It was released in 2013 as Flower’s sixth single.
The song was used as the theme for the drama “We Are All Dead♪.” Its wistful melody and vocals leave a strong impression.
Inspired by the world of Snow White, it’s a winter song that portrays an unrequited love—pure and straight, longing desperately for the other person.