Lovely winter song

[2025] Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing over New Year’s: Classic and popular Japanese hits

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Composer/arranger, guitarist, and bloggerAyumi Saito
I started playing guitar in elementary school, and in junior high and high school I played the horn in the concert band. In college I became engrossed in composing and began using DTM. These days, I provide songs to artists as a composer, run a blog under the name “Sakki,” and post music lesson videos on YouTube. My musical roots are in rock, but I also love dance music!

As we enter the latter half of December and the year-end approaches, opportunities to go to karaoke increase with year-end and New Year parties during the holiday break.

If you’re thinking, “Since it’s the end of the year, I want to sing karaoke songs that are perfect for ringing in the New Year,” this article introduces recommended Japanese songs for year-end karaoke.

We’ve put together a selection that includes beloved classics from the Showa era, recent masterpieces that capture the New Year’s mood, and even the latest songs performed on the quintessential New Year’s Eve program, the Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

Be sure to check it out!

[2025] Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing to ring in the New Year: Classic and popular Japanese hits (31–40)

A HAPPY NEW YEAR -Happy New Year-Yumi Matsutoya

Happy New Year / A Happy New Year

A HAPPY NEW YEAR -Happy New Year- Yumi Matsutoya

With its somewhat wistful, lonely sound, Yumi Matsutoya’s “A HAPPY NEW YEAR” is perfect for the year’s end.

It’s a track from her 1981 album “Let’s Meet Last Night,” featuring a memorable, continuous piano arpeggio phrase.

The song was also used in the film “Take Me Out to the Snowland.” It’s a love song filled with the hope of “May you have a good year” and the desire to spend the coming year with you.

After a run of high-energy songs at karaoke, how about dialing it back with the gently melancholy “A HAPPY NEW YEAR”?

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RewriteASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION “Rewrite” (M-1 Grand Prix 2024 Promotion Video Theme Song)

Rewrite ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

It’s truly the perfect song for the year’s end, isn’t it? As the title says, “Rewrite” means to rewrite.

Sing with the determination to rewrite the failures, frustrations, and setbacks you experienced this year next year for sure! Next year, let’s make a comeback and hit our goals by singing “Rewrite” and giving it our all.

Shouting along with the chorus should make you feel refreshed.

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A New WorldASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

Asian Kung-Fu Generation – Atarashii Sekai (Live)

New World ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION

The final track on the 2008 album “World World World.” It’s a killer tune that goes full power from start to finish and fills you with energy when you listen.

If you sing it at karaoke, it might give you a strong push on the back, helping you take a new step forward.

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Toward where the sound leadsGoose house

[TV commercial 30-second spot] Oto no naru hou e → / Goose house

Oto no naru hou e → Goose house

This is the song that served as the ending theme for the 2014 anime Silver Spoon.

It’s a bright tune meant for everyone to sing together, featuring catchy, easy-to-sing lyrics and an uplifting melody.

When you sing this song, it feels like all the fun memories from the past year overflow and just won’t stop.

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WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Start a Movement~H Jungle with T

WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Start a Movement~

WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Should Start a Movement~ H Jungle with T

This is a song released in 1995 through a collaboration between Masatoshi Hamada of Downtown and music producer Tetsuya Komuro.

Komuro began writing it after seeing Hamada work so hard he barely had time to sleep.

It’s an energizing anthem that encourages people who work tirelessly, giving strength to all those who give their best.

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[2025] Karaoke songs to sing on New Year’s Eve: Classic and popular Japanese hits (41–50)

December 31NMB48

NMB48 December 31: NMB Request Hour 2013

December 31 NMB48

This is a track from their first album, “Teppen Tottande!”, released in 2013.

It’s a cheer song that encourages your friends and yourself to keep working hard, even when you’re frustrated and feel like giving up.

It’s a wonderful song that makes you want to keep doing your best next year too, so please give it a try and sing it.

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A Whole New WorldRegina Belle & Peabo Bryson

Aladdin A Whole New World – Regina Belle & Peabo Bryson

A Whole New WorldRegina Belle & Peabo Bryson

This is the theme song from Disney’s animated film Aladdin, released in 1992.

It’s a mellow, gentle love song—perfect to sing with someone special on New Year’s Eve.

There’s also a Japanese version, so if the English is difficult, that one is recommended too.

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