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[New Year BGM] New Year Songs Loved Across Generations
Background music that enhances the New Year’s atmosphere is an essential part of kicking off a fresh year! The songs you choose may vary depending on the scene—whether it’s the cozy time spent gathered around osechi dishes, the lively moments with relatives, or music you’d like to play while getting ready for your first shrine visit of the year.
In this article, we’ve collected a wide range of music, from tracks that evoke traditional Japanese vibes to J-pop themed around the New Year.
You’re sure to find a song that will make your New Year’s celebration even more festive!
[New Year BGM] New Year Songs Loved Across Generations (1–10)
A HAPPY NEW YEARNEW!Base Ball Bear
This is a warm, heartfelt song about spending New Year’s with a loved one.
It paints scenes of ringing in the year in the city—visiting Meiji Shrine for the first prayer of the year and driving through Hibiya to catch the sunrise—bringing the special moment of welcoming a new year vividly to life.
Included on the album “DIARY KEY,” released in October 2021, it is the only track on which Shiori Sekine—who usually handles bass and backing vocals—takes the lead vocal solo.
A heartwarming number perfect for those welcoming the New Year with someone special.
O-SHO-GA-TSUNEW!ONIGAWARA
Released in December 2016, this is a New Year’s song that shines with ONIGAWARA’s signature playfulness.
The excitement of the new year and the lively celebratory mood unfold over a four-on-the-floor dance beat.
Centered on a band-driven sound, the track is extremely catchy—one listen and you’ll be grooving.
It’s perfect as background music for cheerful moments like family gatherings around osechi or get-togethers with relatives.
Shin-TakasagoNEW!
Composed in the early Meiji period by Terashima Kano, this jiuta koto piece is known as a quintessential celebratory work that takes its lyrics from a Noh “machiai” chant.
Set against the tradition that regards the paired pines of Takasago in Harima and Sumiyoshi in Settsu as symbols of marital harmony and longevity, it features a compelling, weighty sonority woven from a two-part koto ensemble, shakuhachi, and voice.
Recorded in May 1997 on Koto Masterpieces (9): Meiji New Works 2, the performance by Masae Tada Kore, Yasuko Nakajima, Shin’ichi Tada Kore, and Hōzan Yamamoto is considered definitive.
Long performed at celebratory occasions such as wedding receptions and ceremonies, this piece will also lend an elegant Japanese atmosphere to festive family gatherings around New Year’s cuisine and lively reunions with relatives.
Happy New YearNEW!Chatmonchy
A track from Chatmonchy’s 2011 album YOU MORE.
It’s a love song in which the protagonist, welcoming the New Year and watching the line of people heading to their first shrine visit, thinks about everyday life with the partner by their side.
Through snippets of daily life—like the temptations of food stalls and memories of drives—it expresses the wish to stay together forever from here on out.
And Eriko Hashimoto’s catchy vocals paired with the band’s light, breezy sound feel so good.
It’s the perfect song if you’re looking for a cute New Year’s tune.
scarecrowNEW!Masashi Sada
Released in November 1977 by Warner-Pioneer as the fourth single, “Kakashi” reached No.
15 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Told from the perspective of an older brother concerned about his younger siblings living in the city, this classic song gently portrays the warm love of family.
In 2011, Fuji TV aired a drama inspired by the song, “Masashi Sada Drama Special: Furusato — Musume no Tabidachi.” Put it on as background music while spending time at your family home, and it’s sure to create a heartwarming moment.
A HAPPY NEW YEARNEW!Yumi Matsutoya
This song by Yumi Matsutoya is imbued with the wish to welcome the New Year with someone special.
It was included on her 1981 album “Sakuban Oaishimashou” and also released as the B-side to the single “Yuu-yami o Hitori,” which came out around the same time.
Warm feelings of praying for the other person’s happiness are sung alongside the quiet resonance of the piano.
It’s a perfect track for those spending New Year’s with a partner or for anyone holding special feelings for the year to come.
Warbling of Spring NightingalesNEW!
A representative grand piece of Japanese court music (gagaku), this bugaku work in the Ichikotsu mode expresses the warbling of the Japanese bush warbler through music.
According to tradition, it was transcribed by court musicians at the behest of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, who heard the bird’s song in a spring garden.
The work is characterized by an expansive structure of six movements, lasting around two hours.
In July 1973, the Gagaku Shigenkai ensemble of Imperial Household Agency musicians released the album “Gagaku (Bugaku): Shun’ōden (Complete Set),” which includes the entire piece from Yūsei to Kyūsei.
It’s a perfect selection for savoring an elegant New Year-to-early-spring atmosphere or immersing yourself in the traditional Japanese aesthetic.