Winter Songs: Classic tracks you want to listen to in winter. Songs you long for during the winter.
When you think of “songs you want to listen to in winter,” what comes to mind?
In the J-POP scene, countless winter songs are released every year, and there are so many popular hits as well as hidden gems!
Of course there are tracks that depict snow and Christmas, but even songs without explicit seasonal words—those whose sound evokes the atmosphere of winter—are captivating.
I’m sure you also have a special winter song of your own.
In this article, we introduce timeless tunes that will stir up fond memories or make you want to listen as they match the winter scenery.
From love songs to pieces that sing of beautiful winter landscapes, we hope you’ll find a track that resonates with your heart.
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[Winter Songs] Masterpieces you want to listen to in winter. Songs you yearn for in winter (71–80)
snow jamRin Oto
Rin-ne, a rapper from Fukuoka who’s attracting attention as a next-generation artist.
His song “snow jam,” released in 2020, is a popular winter track especially among people of his generation.
As the title suggests, it evokes a sense of snow, but rather than a chilly, cold image, it gives you a soft, warm, and cozy feeling.
While many winter songs tend to be sad love songs, this one is recommended as a warm, relatable number that’s rooted in everyday life.
BRAVO! Nippon: A Fantasy of Snow and IceHikaru GENJI
“BRAVO! Nippon ~A Fantasy of Snow and Ice~” brings back memories of the 90s J-POP boom.
Released in 1994, the song became a support campaign anthem for the Lillehammer Olympics and can be said to have colored that winter.
The beautiful melody paints a fantasy world of snow and ice, seeming to transform the winter chill into a gentle warmth that nestles close to each person’s heart.
Savor the lyrics brimming with dreams and hope as you listen, and let them illuminate tonight’s winter sky.
wintering swallowMori Masako
This gem of a ballad, which eloquently sings of the aching melancholy of painful love, is a masterpiece that showcases Masako Mori’s outstanding vocal prowess.
Its poetic world is striking: the feelings of a woman who has thrown herself into a forbidden romance are overlaid with the image of a lone swallow that defies the seasons and makes its home out of place.
Mori’s limpid voice intertwines with the heartrending melody, where sorrow and passion cross, creating a deeply moving song.
After its 1983 release, her tearful performance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen drew widespread attention, and the song earned her the Best Vocal Performance award at the 25th Japan Record Awards.
Even among enka songs that give voice to bittersweet longing, this work stands out for its richly expressive phrasing.
It’s the perfect piece for those moments when you want to pour your emotions into the song and sing your heart out, as if setting your soul free.
Merry XmasBoA
This is a Christmas song sung by BoA, released in 2004.
Its relaxed tempo and the resonant sounds of strings and keyboards create an impression that conveys a quiet, snowy winter night sky and the joyful feelings of Christmas.
The lyrics seem to fully express the happiness of being able to spend time with someone special.
BoA’s powerful, resonant vocals also seem to convey an overflowing sense of happiness.
Cinderella ChristmasKinKi Kids
KinKi Kids’ “Cinderella Christmas” applies the story of the nursery tale “Cinderella” to a modern couple spending Christmas together.
Released in 1998 as their fifth single, it’s a double A-side with “Happy Happy Greeting,” composed by Tatsuro Yamashita.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon singles chart.
The song is an upbeat, funky track with a lavish intro featuring strings and synth brass.
Winter SongKiroro
Among the many famous songs they’ve released, this winter song is especially popular.
It’s one you’ll want to listen to while thinking of someone special.
It makes you reflect anew on just how important it is to have that special person by your side.
The repeated chorus sticks in your head.
It was their third single at the time, released in 1998.
It was used in commercials for Meiji Seika’s “Meltykiss” and “Porte” and featured in a winter campaign.
The lyrics and composition were by Chiharu Tamashiro.
It’s a perfect song for winter.
EverythingMISIA
A winter love ballad I recommend is MISIA’s “Everything.” Released in 2000 as her seventh single, it was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Yamato Nadeshiko.” It reached No.
1 on the Oricon singles chart and became the best-selling single by a female artist in the 2000s—a true classic.
The music video, set on a cold, snowy day, really captures the feeling of winter, so I highly recommend it!