[2025] Recommended for New Year’s Eve Karaoke! A roundup of popular and hit Japanese songs

This is a must-read for anyone planning to hit karaoke at year-end parties like bōnenkai to wrap up the year! This time, under the theme “Japanese songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke on New Year’s Eve,” we’re showcasing a rich selection of timeless hits spanning the Shōwa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras.

In addition to the classic karaoke favorites, the lineup centers on songs you’ll especially want to sing on New Year’s Eve—tracks themed around the occasion and those famous numbers performed on Kōhaku—so there’s something everyone can enjoy, regardless of generation.

Be sure to check it out!

Playlist

[2025] Recommended for New Year’s Eve Karaoke! A roundup of popular and hit Japanese songs
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Disco BabyTravis Japan		A dance track by Travis Japan that translates 70s disco into modern J-pop—a party tune that expresses a sense of freedom and fun.
2	ToughSaucy Dog		A rock ballad that portrays the emotions of twilight.
3	IrohaKent on this side		J-pop singles that heat up on New Year’s Eve
4	JANE DOEKenshi Yonezu, Hikaru Utada		A sad yet beautiful song by Kenshi Yonezu × Hikaru Utada
5	the last day of the monthSpitz		Celebrate the year-end with a refreshing song by Spitz
6	National Sake-Drinking Festival Song of Japanbarracuda		Barracuda classic song, praising Japanese sake culture
7	Cheers, charisma! Year-end partySeven Charisma		The best song to hype up New Year’s Eve!
8	December RainYumi Arai		Yumi Arai’s melancholic ballad echoes on a winter night.
9	travel anecdoteCreepy Nuts		The appeal of Creepy Nuts’ masterpiece “Miyagebanashi” (“Souvenir Stories”)
10	Year-end songs from 12/26 onward[Alexandros]		Heart-touching [Alexandros] songs to listen to at the end of the year
11	You Are the One Who Rings That BellAkiko Wada		Akiko Wada’s classic, a year-end song full of hope
12	Let’s dance at my place (New Year’s Eve)Gen Hoshino		Gen Hoshino’s encouraging song, hope for overcoming difficulties
13	SubaruShinji Tanimura		Wrap up the year with Shinji Tanimura’s classic song “Subaru.”
14	Good job.Kent on this side		Kocchino Kento’s 3rd-anniversary cheer song
15	Shin-Pen-Pineapple-Apple-PenPikotaro		New song released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Piko Taro’s signature hit
16	CharismaxSnow Man		An ambitious work that sublimated Para Para culture into the modern era
17	December 31NMB48		A song portraying the loneliness of New Year’s Eve and the resolve for the year ahead
18	Christmas songNon		A warm song that gently embraces the loneliness of winter
19	waiting in vaingood-for-nothing		A poignant love song of carrots that resonates with the heart
20	North Wind ~May It Reach You~Noriyuki Makihara		A winter classic by Noriyuki Makihara, gently singing of love’s feelings
21	New Year’s March!Nijigasaki High School Idol Club		A pop song by Nijigasaki to celebrate the New Year
22	29Kana Nishino		A song that sings about the memories and youth of the last year of one’s twenties.
23	The Land of ‘Good Job’ (Otsukaresama)Kazuyoshi Saito		Saito Kazuyoshi's “Otsukaresama” resonates with my heart.
24	365 daysMr.Children		Mr.Children's “365 Days” is a classic wedding song.
25	Matsuken Samba IIKen Matsudaira		Let's enjoy Ken Matsudaira's 'Matsuken Samba II'!
26	MatsuriYuma Teranishi feat. Pinko Izumi		A festive track that connects laughter through Wa and EDM
27	Beep boopFRUITS ZIPPER		FRUITS ZIPPER’s lively songs are exhilarating.
28	Over The Horizon!Naniwa Danshi		Naniwa Danshi’s Song of Adventure and Hope
29	SenbonzakuraWhiteFlame feat. Hatsune Miku		The Vocaloid song “Senbonzakura” is a famous piece popular among young people.
30	Bitter VacationMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s new song “Bitter Vacation” is easy to sing.
31	Yes, with pleasure.Kent on this side		Kento over here will perform his smash hit at the Kōhaku (New Year’s music show).
32	Let’s start a band.I won’t forget		A moving song that resonates with the hearts of band members
33	Clap your handsNICO Touches the Walls		NICO Touches the Walls' debut single
34	Tonight is a Hearty PartyJuice=Juice		Cover of Mariya Takeuchi’s classic portrays warm friendship
35	nomineeCYNHN		CYNHN’s new song, a track of hope and challenge.
36	Stargazertayori		Music of hope traveling among the stars, a fantastical song that resonates in the heart
37	HIRAKEGOMANumber_i		Number_i's new song is a powerful track that depicts challenge and growth.
38	SunYorushika		Film theme song expressing the fragility of life
39	Even when next year comesMy Hair is Bad		A heart-touching classic brimming with year-end vibes
40	last year, this yearUnder Graph		A moving masterpiece that depicts the scene of ringing in the New Year
41	Year-end party! BOU! NEN! KAI!A.B.C-Z		A.B.C-Z’s year-end party song
42	New Year’s DayELLEGARDEN		A song portraying New Year’s Eve memories and the transience of life
43	five mon coinsMOROHA		Fusion of message-driven rap and acoustic guitar
44	BYE! THIS YEAR!! HI! NEW YEAR!!Asia Engineer		New Year’s song by an Asia-oriented hip-hop group
45	All-Night RadioAdo		Ado's lively new song adds color to New Year's Eve.
46	If I Hadn’t Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer		The courage to face forward with a renewed spirit on New Year’s Eve
47	faceCIVILIAN		A powerful song by CIVILIAN featuring Tomoe Shinohara
48	SoliloquyClariS		A cute, poppy song for an anime tie-in
49	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)GReeeeN		GReeeeN’s classic song “Michi” is a heart-touching track.
50	best day, best wayLiSA		A song filled with LiSA’s positive feelings
51	morning starLiSA		The theme song of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc
52	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		A powerful anthem of youth that delivers hope
53	December 31NMB48		A Song of Regret and Hope on New Year’s Eve
54	Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK’s fiery hardcore classic
55	PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH		Dance and vocal units are experiencing a huge boom.
56	Is that okay?RADWIMPS		A heartwarming love song by RADWIMPS
57	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		An uplifting cheer song that gives you the courage to move forward
58	Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO		An encouraging song by SHISHAMO, bringing hope for the future
59	BeautifulSuperfly		An empowering anthem that stands by women—a song that gives you courage.
60	At least for today.TETORA		TETORA’s emotionally gripping songs
61	Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN		USG's signature songs, classic tracks that get you hyped
62	The impact of a single dropUVERworld		Face forward and move on, singing about the strength to never be defeated.
63	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Vaundy’s high-velocity signature song with moving lyrics
64	Rusty NailX JAPAN		Rusty Nail by X JAPAN is the best on New Year's Eve.
65	crimsonX JAPAN		Bring the year to a fiery close with X JAPAN’s classic hit “Kurenai.”
66	ultramarineYOASOBI		YOASOBI’s youth-empowering song “Gunjou”
67	horizonback number		A moving song with bittersweet lyrics that supports young people's dreams
68	The Story You Don’t Knowsupercell		“The Story You Don’t Know” by supercell is a masterpiece.
69	Thank youIkimonogakari		A famous ballad that sings of gratitude
70	Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Golden Bomber		Popular songs by Golden Bomber
71	Smile for me.Sambomaster		A moving rock band fused with punk rock
72	Spaceship on New Year’s EveShikao Suga		Suga Shikao’s New Year’s Eve song, a track that resonates with the heart.
73	New Year’s Eve SongRemioromen		A song depicting the quiet hours of New Year's Eve
74	WHYMiliyah Kato		A powerful song that releases emotions and welcomes the New Year
75	Happy DaysAi Otsuka		Let's get hyped with Ai Otsuka's happy songs!
76	loveGen Hoshino		Gen Hoshino’s “Koi” sparked a social phenomenon.
77	STARsKaela Kimura		A lively, pop-and-rock song by Kaela Kimura
78	Ultramarine DaysTokyo Incidents		Tokyo Incidents' first single, a shocking masterpiece
79	A Happy New YearYumi Matsutoya		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic songs I want to sing at the start of the New Year
80	evolutionAyumi Hamasaki		“evolution,” a famous song by Ayumi Hamasaki
81	Heart color ~a song for the wonderful year~Masaharu Fukuyama		Stay positive with Masaharu Fukuyama’s year-end song
82	LOSERKenshi Yonezu		An impressive, challenging, and passionate song by Kenshi Yonezu
83	LemonKenshi Yonezu		Kenshi Yonezu’s masterpiece “Lemon” is an immortal classic.
84	sparkleFujii Kaze		A signature song by Fujii Kaze and a masterpiece you’ll want to listen to at the end of the year.
85	FlowerFujii Kaze		A modern yet nostalgic theme song by Fujii Kaze
86	mottöJUDY AND MARY		JUDY AND MARY’s exhilarating and intense classic song
87	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		A classic SMAP song, a timeless ballad loved across generations.
88	Baby Don’t CryNamie Amuro		Namie Amuro’s signature song that empowers women
89	Farewell to Youthful DaysTomoyasu Hotei		Looking back on youth through Tomoyasu Hotei’s classic songs
90	heavy rotationAKB48		AKB48 Oshima Yuko center song 'Heavy Rotation'
91	together; along with; bothWANIMA		WANIMA’s signature song, an uplifting hype-up anthem