[Winter Love Songs] A curated selection of timeless classics and the latest tracks that offer both warmth and heartbreak

Unrequited lovemiwa

miwa 'Unrequited Love'

Kataomoi begins with miwa’s clear, translucent singing voice.

Released in 2012 as her eighth single, the song, true to its title, portrays the feelings of a woman in unrequited love.

miwa’s vocals vividly convey emotions like heartache, tenderness, longing, and anxiety, and simply listening makes your own feelings come into sharp relief.

The quietly ringing bells, along with the piano and strings that beautifully resonate with a sense of sorrow, make this a tear-jerking track that’s perfect for winter.

I’m in love.Every Little Thing

"In Love" MUSIC VIDEO / Every Little Thing

A quintessential winter song that makes your heart dance in a silver-white world.

Released in March 2008, it’s a work by Every Little Thing.

It was issued as a double A-side single together with “Fuyu ga Hajimaru yo,” featuring Noriyuki Makihara.

The lyrics, which sing of a warm love even in the cold of winter, are especially memorable.

Kaori Mochida’s clear, translucent voice gently envelops the feelings of being in love.

It’s a heartwarming winter tune perfect for a winter date—one you’ll want to listen to while nestled close together.

SnowdomeKaela Kimura

Kaela Kimura “Snowdome” (Official Music Video)

A winter song that gently seeps into the heart, intertwining the bittersweet feelings of a winter romance with the transience of snow.

Kaela Kimura’s tender, resonant vocals pair exquisitely with a somewhat wistful melody.

Released in January 2007, it was used as the campaign song for JR East’s “JR SKISKI.” It is also included on the album Scratch and has become one of Kaela Kimura’s signature tracks.

Depicting a beautiful encounter and parting in the snow, the piece evokes a nostalgic atmosphere that brings back skiing memories and gently embraces the loneliness we feel in the cold season.

I like you.Mr.Children

Mr.Children “Kimi ga Suki” Music Video (Short ver.)

Mr.

Children’s masterpiece among masterpieces, “Kimi ga Suki” (“I Love You”).

It was released in 2002 as their 22nd single.

Among the countless love songs out there, this is surely the favorite for many people.

When you’re in love, you can feel hazy, conflicted emotions, but this song conveys a devotion to cherishing the feeling of “love” above all, including those complexities.

It’s a love song that, as the weather turns cold, makes you want to keep nurturing your affection together, just the two of you, from here on out.

whiteoutreGretGirl

reGretGirl "Whiteout" Official Music Video

reGretGirl is a three-piece band popular mainly among young people for lyrics that candidly express feelings of love.

When you hear “love song,” you might picture something happy, but their track Whiteout is actually a song about a devastating breakup.

The girlfriend he’s dating suddenly tells him it’s over.

As the melody flows, the male protagonist’s sorrow pours out.

Linking his mind going completely blank to a whiteout, where snow wipes out your field of vision, really conveys how shocking it was.

If you’ve gone through a breakup recently, this one will pierce straight through your heart.

Someday Merry ChristmasB’z

B’z Someday Merry Christmas [LIVE-GYM 2011 -C’mon-] (Photographed in Osaka 2022)

This song, included on the mini-album “FRIENDS” released in 1992, wasn’t a single, yet it has become a classic Christmas tune and remains one of B’z’s most beloved tracks.

While B’z are known for many up-tempo songs, this one is a rare ballad, and you often hear it playing around town during the Christmas season.

It prompts you to reflect anew on the beauty of loving someone and the sadness of losing someone dear.

SNOW SOUND[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – SNOW SOUND (MV)

Here is the winter song “SNOW SOUND” sung by the four-piece rock band [Alexandros].

It was released in 2017 as a double A-side single together with “Let’s make up for all the times you’ve cried.” Its dreamy, electronic band sound evokes a sense of nostalgia, making it feel as if you can actually see and hear the falling snow.

In contrast to the white snowy scenery, Kawakami’s beautiful vocals, which sing of a heart warmed by a single encounter, resonate deep within.