[2026] Upbeat winter J‑Pop: Energetic winter songs

Wonderful HolidayTakeuchi Mariya

[With Lyrics] Wonderful Holiday / Mariya Takeuchi [Cover] — Suteki-na Holiday by Mariya Takeuchi

The song featured in Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Christmas commercial is Mariya Takeuchi’s “Suteki na Holiday.” Whenever this song comes on, it just makes you crave fried chicken.

Originally the B-side to her 2001 single “Nostalgia,” it has been used in the commercials since 2000 and, as of 2022, continues to be used for many years.

The track evokes images like those in Europe and the U.S., of spending time with family in a room with a fireplace, and its orchestral arrangement and bell tones heighten the Christmas atmosphere.

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Hamada Takuya

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BRAVO! Nippon: A Fantasy of Snow and IceHikaru GENJI

Hikaru GENJI / 1 / PV “BRAVO! Nippon: A Fantasy of Snow and Ice”

“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.

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hiyori

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Snowin’DXTEEN

DXTEEN | 「Snowin’」Official MV ＜3RD SINGLE『Snowin’』(2024.01.31 Release)＞

This is a winter track featuring an up-tempo, catchy melody and heartwarming lyrics.

Through scenes of snowy winter, it delicately depicts the warm encounters and emotions found amidst the cold.

Marking a major milestone for DXTEEN, this third single was released in January 2024 and reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, selling 44,002 copies.

Achieving such success just eight months after their debut speaks to their growth and rising popularity.

It’s a perfect pick for anyone seeking a feel-good pop song for the cold season or music fans who want to experience the ascent of a talented young group.

White Marchsumika

Kentaro Ito and Honoka Matsumoto co-star in a ski commercial! The song is “White March” by sumika! JR SKISKI 2018–19 TV commercial

Sumika is a four-piece rock band with a soft, mellifluous voice and hook-filled lyrics that has garnered strong support, especially among younger listeners.

White March, included on their second album Chime, is a pop tune chosen as the theme song for JR East’s JR SKISKI 2018–2019 campaign.

Its translucent sound and brisk arrangement bring a festive sparkle to winter events, especially Christmas.

With a catchy melody and ethereal tones that evoke wintry landscapes, it’s a refreshing yet warmly comforting winter song.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Winter Wonder WanderMinase Inori

Inori Minase “Winter Wonder Wander” Animated Music Clip

This song, sung by voice actor and artist Inori Minase, whose transparent, clear singing voice is so appealing, paints a fantastical picture of a winter night.

It’s included on her fifth single, “Ready Steady Go!”, released in November 2017.

Although it wasn’t tied to any TV anime, it’s a highly regarded track among fans.

Set to a gentle melody, the lyrics portray someone wandering through the cold season in search of a warm encounter.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to hold hands with someone special and take a walk while gazing up at the winter night sky.

With its light, airy sound and heartwarming, tender tone, it seems sure to make you forget the chill of winter.