Recommended for people in their 70s! A curated selection of Japanese songs to listen to and sing during the cold winter

Winter RivieraShinichi Mori

Winter Riviera

Shinichi Mori is an enka singer who continues to captivate many fans with his uniquely husky, deep, and refined voice.

His signature song “Fuyu no Riviera,” released in 1982, is a moving piece that portrays parting and melancholy.

In this song, the delicate feelings of sensing an impending farewell while still wishing for happiness are richly expressed through Mori’s husky vocals.

Beyond the depth of the lyrics, the arrangement—unbound by the conventional framework of enka and incorporating elements of pop—may be one reason this song has continued to be loved across generations.

Hymn to the Snowy MountainsDark Ducks

Hymn to the Snowy Mountains — The Dark Ducks

This is a powerful song that sings of both the harshness and beauty of snowy mountains.

Released in June 1959, it has long been cherished as one of the signature works of the Dark Ducks.

Based on an American folk song with Japanese lyrics by Eizaburo Nishibori, it beautifully expresses reverence for nature and a spirit of adventure.

For older listeners, it’s a lovely piece that overlaps with memories of their youth.

How about listening to it quietly on a winter night in a warm room? It will surely warm your heart and bring back nostalgic memories.

What a nice bath.The Drifters

Nice hot bath [The Drifters]

This is a song that celebrates the charms of hot spring resorts, beloved from the Showa-era hit TV program “It’s 8 o’clock! Everybody, Gather Round!” The original version, sung by the Duke Aces, was themed around hot spring areas in Gunma Prefecture, and The Drifters covered it on the B-side of their debut single.

The lyrics were adapted to feature hot spring resorts across Japan—such as Noboribetsu and Kusatsu—expressing fondness for onsen through a lively rhythm and call-and-response shouts.

The song was used as the ending theme for both “It’s 8 o’clock! Everybody, Gather Round!” and “Drifters’ Big Laughter,” and it also appeared in a 1969 film.

Humming it together with older adults while reminiscing about hot spring trips can make for a heartwarming moment.

Snow falls.Salvatore Adamo

Adamo / Snow Is Falling (Tombe La Neige) [Japanese Edition] (1969)

Released in 1963 by Salvatore Adamo, an Italian-born Belgian artist, “Tombe la neige,” known in Japan as “Yuki wa Furu” (“The Snow Falls”), remains beloved by many as a winter classic.

The beauty of this song lies in its lyrics, which delicately portray heartache and solitude against the backdrop of quietly falling snow.

On a tranquil winter night, whether you want a cozy moment or are feeling lonely, Adamo’s warm yet wistful melody will gently envelop the listener’s heart.

Tsugaru Love WomanKenji Niinuma

Tsugaru Love Woman

Since his debut in 1976, Kenji Niinuma has captivated many fans with his emotionally rich enka.

In particular, Tsugaru Koijyo, released in 1987, is cherished as his signature song and is also known as a classic of winter.

Portraying the harsh winters of Tsugaru and a woman’s strong yet heartrending love, the song features a melody that highlights the depth of its poetic lyrics—making it perfect for the colder season, when the warmth of human feeling resonates.

It’s truly a heartwarming piece you’ll want to listen to—and sing—during winter.

Okuhida BojoTatsu Tetsuya

Tetsuya Ryuu – Okuhida Yearning [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Okuhida Bojo (Yearning for Okuhida) is the debut song of Tetsuya Ryu that became a massive hit.

Set in the hot spring towns of the Hida region, it has long been loved for its delicately written lyrics that portray a traveler’s deep emotions and reflections on life, along with a performance brimming with passion for music.

In Ryu’s voice, you can feel the depth and warmth of someone who has overcome life’s joys and sorrows, gently comforting the hearts of listeners.

Evoking winter scenery, memories of the past, and the transience of life, this song is perfect for those who wish to feel nature and life more deeply.

snowflowerNatsuko Godai

Natsuko Godai 'Setsuchūka (Flower in the Snow)' Music Video (1 chorus)

Since her debut in the 1980s, enka singer Natsuko Godai has continued to be loved by countless listeners in Japan and abroad.

Her 1992 release “Sekka” (Snowflower) is a deeply moving song that portrays a mother’s strength and kindness as she survives a harsh winter.

Filled with sentiments about a mother’s tenderness, resilience, and the bittersweet feelings toward a mother growing older, this song is perfect for moments when you want to look back on the past during a cold winter or feel the bonds of family.

Natsuko Godai’s warm voice will gently warm the listener’s heart.