A poignant winter classic. A winter song that seeps into the heart on cold days.
Do you ever have those moments when, as it gets colder, you suddenly feel lonely for no clear reason?
You might find yourself craving someone’s warmth or wanting to see your partner more than usual—perhaps you’ve felt that too.
In this article, we’re introducing bittersweet songs that feel especially dear in winter scenes.
Why not listen to some poignant winter tunes that make you think of someone special or a partner you can’t meet?
We’ve picked out deeply relatable, heartrending songs—from new releases to timeless classics.
Be sure to listen with your winter days.
A poignant winter classic. Winter songs that touch the heart in the cold season (1–10)
A town where snow fallsNEW!Aimer
It’s a winter song that lets you feel both the hush of falling snow and the warmth glowing within.
Against a winter landscape wrapped in silence, it carefully portrays the wistful feelings of thinking about someone dear you can’t meet right now.
Aimer’s husky, resonant voice echoes gently like powder snow drifting through the cold air, softly enveloping the listener’s heart.
The track was included on her third single, released in February 2012, and was also used as the first ending theme for the drama “Ghost Whisperer Season 3.” Later featured on the classic album “Sleepless Nights,” it’s an early masterpiece—an affecting ballad perfect for quietly listening to on long winter nights.
Snow Song – yukiutaNEW!Myuk
Inspired by “The Grateful Crane,” this song portrays a heartrending farewell with a loved one.
The lyrics, which employ a distinctive, folk-like melodic phrasing and archaic expressions, beautifully capture both the chill of a snowy landscape and the pain of the heart.
Released by Myuk in December 2025, the track drew major attention, surpassing a cumulative 30 million plays on social media even in its demo stage.
Its sound, blending acoustic warmth with digital textures, feels contemporary yet somehow nostalgic.
It’s the perfect number for a quiet night with steady snowfall, when you want to immerse yourself alone in the world of the lyrics.
As her first self-composed song in about two years, it’s a track brimming with her charm—be sure to give it a listen.
painted skyNEW!Marushii
A delicate, heart-wrenching rock ballad that vividly captures indelible memories and the bittersweetness of farewell.
Released in May 2020 by the Fukuoka-based band Marcy, this song has remained a beloved classic through word of mouth among listeners.
It was also chosen as the theme song for the web drama “New World Makers,” where its dramatic sound enriched the story’s world.
The down-to-earth lyrics, spun from vocalist Ukyo Yoshida’s own experiences, will seep deep into your heart on a winter night when you can’t help but chase an unforgettable silhouette.
Let yourself feel the warmth that gently embraces even the pain of heartbreak.
Before it turns whiteNEW!Ryuya Miyase
Set to a light, jazzy pop sound, this winter song celebrates the arrival of the season and budding romance.
Actor Ryubi Miyase wrote the lyrics under the name “Ryubi Miyase,” infusing them with a desire to vividly capture both the cityscape before it turns completely white with snow and the moments spent with a loved one.
The track was newly written as the opening theme for Miyase’s first leading drama, “First Love of the Snowdrop,” which began airing in October 2024.
It was released for streaming to coincide with the broadcast and was packaged as a long-awaited first single in December 2024.
With stylish chord progressions and a sweet, soothing vocal, it’s perfect for nights when you want to sink into a romantic mood.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to enjoy a winter romance while reflecting on the drama’s storyline.
orionYonezu Kenshi
Released in 2017, this was Kenshi Yonezu’s sixth major-label single, and it was used as the ending theme for the second cour of the first season of the anime March Comes in Like a Lion.
While the verses convey a calm, steady delivery, the chorus shifts dramatically, pouring out a raw, straightforward, heartrending plea.
It’s a winter song that really tugs at the heartstrings!
ebb and flowNEW!RAY
A ballad that evokes the stillness of the ocean floor and emotions that ebb and flow like the waves.
Ray’s crystal-clear vocals resonate as if delicately tracing inexpressible heartache and confusion.
Released as a single in February 2014, it was used as the latter opening theme for the anime Nagi no Asukara.
The lyrics, which mirror the complex human relationships depicted in the latter half of the story against a winter backdrop, tighten your chest while also carrying a gentle warmth, giving the song a mysterious allure.
Its beauty stands out even more when listened to in the cold winter air.
It’s a track that quietly stays by your side when you want to spend a quiet night lost in thought or face the emotions deep within your heart.
Because you are hereUru
It’s a song that pours out overflowing feelings for a loved one.
It was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Theseus no Fune” (Theseus’ Ship) and became a hot topic as a masterpiece that matched the show’s story.
The person you picture as your loved one—family, a partner, and so on—will differ from person to person.
Still, the emotions for a loved one depicted in this song, and the strong longing to see them again, are sure to move anyone’s heart.
While there aren’t many specifically wintry images, the overall mood of the song is perfect for winter.
A bittersweet yet deeply moving track I highly recommend.