BoA – MeriKuri (2004)
BoA makes AMAZING winter music. If you like MeriKuri, check out Winter Love & Candle Light (2006), and Mamoritai ~White Wishes~ (2009).
Namie Amuro – White Light (2005)
Unfortunately Namie’s discography is still unavailable online. :'( This was one of my first Namie songs and it will always remind me of winter 2005.
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ARASHI – Hatenai Sora (2010)
It’s not exactly a ~wintery song (WISH probably fits more in this category), but one time I randomly heard this song on a radio in December so I associate it with winter image lol
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Koda Kumi – you (2005)
Skip to 0:45 to start the song. One of my most faves from Kuu.
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Mika Nakashima – Yuki no Hana (2003)
Just classic. Nothing else needs to be said.
CHEMISTRY – almost in love (2005)
Kings of contemporary R&B. The coupling song Two As One with Crystal Kay was also a lot of fun as well.
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SoulJa & Thelma Aoyama – Soba ni Iru ne (2008)
This was an answer song for Koko ni Iru yo (2007), and a prequel for Hanasanai deyo (2010) & Itsumademo (2022). I’d consider this the epitome of Hip-Pop music of Heisei era.
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Steady&Co. – Only Holy Story [feat. azumi (wyolica)] (2001)
Another classic that might not be as well known in the west. This is a special unit composed of Kenji Furuya & BOTS from Dragon Ash, ILMARI from RIP SLYME, and SHIGEO from SBK.
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SPEED – White Love (1998)
Arguably this group’s biggest hit. A classic that has been covered by many artists such as JUJU, ClariS, VK Blanka and many more.
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Perfume – Baby cruising love (2008)
Skip to 0:30 to start the song. I would say its coupling song Macaroni, and Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow (2008) from GAME are also perfect choices. The whole album just feels very wintery nostalgia to me.
Kana Nishino – Dear… (2009)
Ngl this wasn’t my most fave Kanayan tracks (it was released very close to Motto which I really like lol), but it’s still one of her biggest hits from her best era.
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Sandaime J Soul Brothers – Snow Dome (2011)
One of the most underrated Sandaime songs IMO. This one is a very emotional ballad, which they rarely make now. SOUTHSIDE from the same album was also another ballad masterpiece.
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ROUND TABLE featuring Nino – Sayonara (2008)
Katsutoshi Kitagawa has composed many amazing tracks and this is one of them. It just sounds so nostalgic in the best way possible.
Source: Youtube 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13
ONTD, what J-Pop song(s) do you listen to during wintertime? Please drop your recs in the comment! If you made it here, thank you very much for reading and hope you enjoy listening!
