RAG MusicEmotion
A wonderful, moving song

Winter Songs: Classic tracks you want to listen to in winter. Songs you long for during the winter.

Winter Songs: Classic tracks you want to listen to in winter. Songs you long for during the winter.
Last updated:

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.

[Winter Songs] Timeless tracks you want to hear in winter. Songs you long for in the winter (1–10)

Dear SantaNEW!Koresawa

Koresawa “Onegai Santa Claus” [Lyric Video]
Dear SantaNEW!Koresawa

Do you like those bittersweet yet warm Christmas songs you want to listen to as winter arrives? This is a single by Koresawa, a singer-songwriter from Osaka, released in November 2023.

It’s a song that has been cherished and performed live since her indie days, and for fans, its official release had been eagerly awaited for years.

Set to a gentle band sound woven by piano and guitar, the delicate lyrics—like entrusting a single wish to Santa—truly resonate.

The lyric video by filmmaker Shinpe UCHIBORI also became a hot topic.

It’s perfect for quietly spending a cold night alone or for facing your true feelings.

How about spending a heartwarming moment with this piece?

SNOW SOUND[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – SNOW SOUND (MV)
SNOW SOUND[Alexandros]

“SNOW SOUND,” the 14th single by [Alexandros], released in 2017.

This track was also used as the theme song for the 2016–2017 “JR SKI SKI” commercial.

As the title “SNOW” suggests, it’s a song that perfectly suits heavy, quietly falling snow; its sound evokes vivid images of winter and snow.

It’s an ideal winter tune for those looking for a song to play on cold days or when it’s snowing—one that stirs a touch of bittersweet emotion.

SNOWNEW!B’z

A hidden gem of a ballad by the rock duo B’z, it evokes a winter landscape wrapped in silence.

Included on the mini-album FRIENDS II released in November 1996, this track reins in the flashy guitar sound in favor of a delicate arrangement that leans heavily on piano and falsetto.

Its worldview—depicting the quiet of a snowy night and a loneliness that spreads through the heart—carries a cold yet beautiful resonance that seems to gently lower the listener’s body temperature.

Though it wasn’t released as a single and had no prominent tie-ins, it holds a special presence for fans, even closing out the ballad best-of The Ballads ~Love & B’z~.

It’s a deeply introspective winter song that makes you want to listen alone on a quiet winter night, far from the bustle.

Snow BlossomNakajima Mika

Mika Nakashima 'Yuki no Hana' Music Video
Snow BlossomNakajima Mika

One of Mika Nakashima’s signature songs is Yuki no Hana (“Snow Flower”).

It’s become a staple winter song.

The track is packed with winter imagery that’s as palpable as the feelings and emotions it conveys, and combined with Nakashima’s heartrending vocals, just listening makes you feel the chill of winter and the cold of the wind.

In 2019, a film of the same name, inspired by this song, was released.

It’s a song you don’t just want to listen to in winter—you want to listen to it to feel winter itself.

Winter TaleNEW!Ketsumeishi

It’s a four-on-the-floor dance number by Ketsumeishi that lets you feel both the exhilaration of snowboarding and the wistfulness of winter at the same time.

Released as a single in November 2007, it made waves as their first winter-themed song.

Also included on the album Ketsunopolis 6, this track’s comfortable beat heightens the thrill of the glide.

The lyrics layer images of falling snow over memories of a past love, and RYOJI’s melodies sink deep into the heart.

It’s not just sad—there’s a warm sense of hope that makes it truly lovely.

Perfect for gazing at snowy scenery from the lift or carving down the slope in rhythm.

Give it a listen as BGM to color your memories on the slopes.

TomorrowNEW!Furui Riho

Furui Riho – Tomorrow (Official Music Video)
TomorrowNEW!Furui Riho

This is a heartwarming winter anthem from Furui Riho.

Rooted in R&B and gospel, her vocals bring a cozy groove to the cold snowy mountains.

The lyrics, which highlight the preciousness of time spent with friends and the determination to move forward, are also a must-hear.

Released in December 2024, this track pairs her with producer Taka Perry, crystallizing the bond deepened through the June 2024 tour.

The music video features everyday moments with her bandmates and childhood photos, evoking a sense of connection with loved ones.

It’s a gem that blends tenderness and exhilaration—perfect for the ride home after a tiring day on the slopes or for quiet conversations at the lodge.

SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Subtitle [Official Video]
SubtitleOfisharu Higedan Dism

A song that conveys kindness and warmth.

Expressing the heat found within coldness, this track was released in October 2022.

It garnered attention as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “silent,” and it’s packed with the charm of Official HIGE DANDism.

It begins with gentle piano tones, and in the chorus, a powerful vocal performance stirs the heart.

The lyrics, which sing about the power of words and the difficulty of conveying feelings, resonated with many people.

It’s a winter song that makes you want to deliver its message to someone important to you.