Japan’s Christmas soundtrack sits in a category of its own, built less on church carols than on city-pop classics, idol-group anthems and Vocaloid ballads. Here are 13 Japanese Christmas songs worth adding to a December playlist.
13 Japanese Christmas Songs To Check Out
“Koibito ga Santa Claus” (Yumi Matsutoya, 1980)
While “Koibito ga Santa Claus” was never released as an official single and only as part of Yumi Matsutoya’s 10th album, the song became a beloved city pop classic and a Christmas staple. The song evokes a fun and light mood that Christmas brings: a playful contrast to more traditional and intimate tunes.
“Meri Kuri” (BoA, 2004)
BoA released “Meri Kuri” in December 2004 as her 14th Japanese single. It peaked at number five on the Oricon chart and keeps coming back to the charts at Christmas, and it has become part of Japan’s holiday tradition (think Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” or Wham!’s “Last Christmas”). If you want a feel of Japan once the holiday rolls in, give this one a listen.
“Noel no Yoru” (AKB48, 2011)
Japan’s idol scene also has an entry for Christmas music: AKB48’s “Noel no Yoru”, a B-side on the group’s 24th single, “Ue kara Mariko”, released in December 2011. Like most girl idol group songs, it takes a youthful sound and touches on themes of love. If you’re an idol group fan, this song is worth a listen.
“Silent” (Sekai no Owari, 2020)
“Silent” is a single by Sekai no Owari, a four-member Japanese pop band, released digitally on 21 October 2020 and on CD that December. The song was the theme for the TBS drama Kono Koi Atatamemasu Ka, and the drama’s producer, Yoshihiko Nakai, said of it:
“It’s a love song, and also a Christmas song you’ll want to hear at this time of year.”
“The First Christmas” (Kagamine Len, 2007)
You might find the vocals striking, and that’s because Kagamine Len isn’t a person at all. Kagamine Len is a Vocaloid, a synthesised singing voice released by Crypton Future Media in 2007, with an accompanying anime-style character used in cover art and visuals.
The lyrics are about a person spending Christmas alone for the first time. You might find yourself missing someone over the holidays, but wherever they are, don’t miss the chance to send them a heartfelt “Merii Kurisumasu!”
“冬がはじまるよ (Here Comes Winter)” (Noriyuki Makihara, 1991)
The fourth single from J-pop singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara came out in November 1991 as the soundtrack to Sapporo Beer’s Fuyu Monogatari winter beer adverts, and reached number five on the Oricon chart. It sold even better the following winter, and Sapporo brought it back for the same beer 20 years later in 2011, which says a lot about how firmly it belongs to the season in Japan.
Sway and sing along with its jolly beat and catchy hook, and it will feel like a Christmas classic in no time.
“Special Delivery” (Mariya Takeuchi, 1981)
This was a 1981 single for Mariya Takeuchi and a track on her fifth studio album, Portrait, released the same year. Since it was still relatively early in her career, “Special Delivery”, which was written and composed by the singer, has that 50s or 60s American pop beat that used to imbue a lot of her music at the time.
Just the whole thing seems to describe that giddy young lady hopping, skipping, and jumping toward the mailbox with that letter for her beloved, presumably overseas currently, in the hopes that he will be back for the holidays.
“大きな愛の木の下で (Under the Big Love Tree)” (Misia, 2011)
Let’s not forget this song from Japan’s “National Treasure in Music.” “Under the Big Love Tree” is the one original song on Misia no Mori: Forest Covers, her first covers album, released in December 2011. Misia wrote it with Hinata and JP.
It was used in the TV adverts for House Foods’ Hokkaido stew seasoning mix, starring actress Rena Tanaka. If you want to hear more of Misia’s Japanese Christmas Songs, you can also listen to her album So Special Christmas.
“クリスマスソング (Christmas Song)” (back number, 2015)
“Christmas Song” is the 14th single by the Japanese rock trio back number, released on 18 November 2015. It topped the Billboard Japan Hot 100 for three weeks in total and has returned to the chart most winters since. It’s a winter ballad about waiting for an answer to a confession of love. The single was also the theme song for the Fuji TV drama 5-ji Kara 9-ji Made: Watashi ni Koi Shita Obōsan (From 5 to 9: The Monk Who Fell in Love with Me).
“My Gift to You” (Tatsuro Yamashita, 1993)
“My Gift to You” is one of the tracks in Season’s Greetings, a holiday cover album by the well-known Japanese “King of City Pop.” The song is a rendition of the original version sung by Alexander O’Neal.
Its mid-tempo soulful sound brings us warmth and reminds us of what is truly meaningful to give this Christmas. Whether you’re in for the song’s mellow vibe or its touching message, this cover is a treat from the great Tatsuro himself.
“The Christmas Song” (Sailor Moon, 1995)
If you’re into manga or anime, then this one can be for you! Sailor Moon is the popular shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi, first serialised in 1991. The original 90s anime ran from 1992 to 1997, with multiple later adaptations including Sailor Moon Crystal. The 90s anime even came with its own Christmas soundtrack album.
This song comes from Sailor Moon SuperS Christmas For You, released in December 1995, where the voice cast sing carols and Christmas standards in character. This one is sung by Emi Shinohara, the voice of Sailor Jupiter, and was included again on the 1996 Sailor Stars Merry Christmas! album. If you find its melody familiar, it’s a Japanese version of the Mel Tormé and Bob Wells classic that Nat King Cole first recorded in 1946.
“Christmas Love” (Southern All Stars, 1993)
Another classic makes it into the list. This song was released in November 1993 by Southern All Stars (SAS), a Japanese rock band that has been one of the best-selling groups in the country since its 1978 debut, and it reached number three on the Oricon chart. You can relate to this song if you’re dearly missing someone you love far away from you this Christmas. If you’re feeling blue or having a silent night, this might make your heart feel a little lighter.
“Christmas Eve” (Tatsuro Yamashita, 1983)
We’ve saved the best for last: Tatsuro Yamashita’s best-known Shōwa-era festive song. Feel the Christmas magic by listening to one of Japan’s iconic Christmas songs: “Christmas Eve.” If someone is asked to reminisce about Christmas in Japan, this would probably ring in their background.
First released in December 1983, the single only reached number one on the Oricon chart in December 1989, after JR Central began using it in its Christmas Express adverts the year before, and it stayed there for four weeks. It has charted in Oricon’s weekly top 100 every year since 1986, a run Guinness World Records recognises as the most consecutive years on the Japanese singles chart, so people clearly don’t mind hearing it over and over after more than 40 years. If you’re just driving around, you can get a taste of what the holidays feel like in Japan by listening to this iconic Christmas staple.
