[Yumi Matsutoya’s Masterpieces] A Collection of Heart-Touching Gems: Yuming’s Finest Hits

BLIZZARDNEW!Matsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – BLIZZARD (from “Love in Japan, and Yuming.”)

Known affectionately by the nickname “Yuming,” singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya has long led Japan’s music scene.

This piece, included on her 16th album NO SIDE, was used as an insert song in the 1987 film Take Me Out to the Snowland and has become a winter classic.

The lyrics, which depict emotions swaying in a blizzard, tighten listeners’ chests alongside a cold yet beautiful, urban synth sound.

First released in 1984 and later featured in a JR ski campaign commercial, it’s a timeless masterpiece loved across generations—one you’ll want to play on the way to the slopes or on a winter night.

Gleam of the reefsNEW!Matsutōya Yumi

Gansyono Kirameki

Singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya has spent over half a century since her debut constantly at the forefront of the times.

Featured on her 40th album, Wormhole / Yumi Arai, released in November 2025, this song also drew attention for being used in the TV Asahi drama “Mamono (마물).” The sound—evoking ’90s pop, where an AI-recreated version of her own voice overlaps with her current vocals—feels wonderfully soothing.

The hard-edged wording of the title pairs exquisitely with seascapes shifting from autumn to winter, revealing new depths with every listen.

It leaves a mysterious afterglow that seems to bridge past and future; why not savor it alone on a quiet night?

If I’m wrapped in kindnessMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – If Wrapped in Kindness (THE LAST WEDNESDAY TOUR 2006 ~HERE COMES THE WAVE~)

This was their third single, released in 1974.

It was originally composed as a commercial jingle, but drew renewed attention in 1989 when it became the ending theme for the Studio Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Covered by many musicians, it’s a timeless classic beloved across generations.

Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi

Graduation Photograph / Sotsugyou Shashin (2022 Ｍix)

A signature song by Yumi Matsutoya, known as Yuming, included as the second track on Side A of the 1975 album “COBALT HOUR.” With a sound that flows like nostalgic scenery and vocals that speak gently and unhurriedly, the lyrics feel like talking to old photographs to keep from forgetting one’s youth, one’s present self, and those pure feelings—a warm yet bittersweet piece.

Kanna Route 8Matsutōya Yumi

Canna Lilies On The Loop Road No. 8 / Canna Hachigosen (2022 Ｍix)

A staple of their live shows, known for its electric guitar performance, this song appears on the album “Let’s Meet Last Night.” The title is a play on words combining the canna flower and Tokyo’s Ring Road No.

8, commonly called “Kanpachi,” and it depicts how the canna flowers on the median strip evoke memories of joyful days gone by.

It’s a medium-tempo track with a catchy groove.

Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Come, Spring

It was released in 1994 as Yumi Matsutoya’s 26th single.

It was used as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Spring, Come,” and was later included not only in music textbooks but also, as a poem, in Mitsumura Tosho’s Japanese language textbook for second-year junior high students.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and became a million seller.

December RainMatsutōya Yumi

December Rain / Jyunigatsu No Ame

This song was released in 1974 as Yumi Matsutoya’s fourth single.

It was also well loved as the early opening theme of the talk variety show “Osoku Okita Asa wa…”.

Members of Sugar Babe, including Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Onuki, took part in the backing vocals.

It was re-released as a CD single in 1989.