Lovely karaoke song

[2025] Japanese karaoke songs you’ll want to sing at year’s end: A roundup of popular hits and classics

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICSasashina
Deputy Editor of the web media RAG MUSIC. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. In my student days, I studied broadly at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, covering sound, lighting, and video technology, and acquired skills from comprehensive stage production to the fundamentals of creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, and have consistently built my career on the production side, taking on diverse tasks centered around music. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting in my own way, as well as insights and discoveries from interacting with my kids every day. I hope I can be of help to you, even just a little!

As December comes around each year and the end of the year approaches, chances to sing karaoke at year-end parties and company gatherings tend to increase.

Since it’s a special time, you might be thinking of singing the perfect year-end song to get everyone excited.

In this article, we introduce classic J-pop songs about December scenery, the year’s end, and New Year’s Eve, spanning different eras and genres.

Whether you want to fire up the crowd with a group singalong for one last hurrah, or deliver a gentle performance to bid farewell to the year, pick a song that suits you and enjoy a wonderful year-end!

[2025] Japanese karaoke songs you’ll want to sing at year-end: A roundup of popular hits and classics (71–80)

Because it’s a cold nightTRF

TRF / Because It's a Cold Night

Because it's a cold night, TRF

I love this song and have sung it many times at karaoke.

The images featuring the artist are a must-see, too! It’s super cool, and I still sing it even now.

It’s a perfect winter classic for the chilly year-end season and is fairly easy to sing.

The lyrics are great as well.

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If (they were) cousinsSato Moka feat. Mom

If We Were Cousins feat. Mom / Moka Sato — Music Video

If it were cousins, Satomoka feat. Mom

When the karaoke session is winding down, you kind of want to relax with something mellow, right? In times like that, how about singing “Itoko Dattara” (“If We Were Cousins”)? It’s a track performed by singer-songwriter Moka Saitō and Mom.

The lyrics paint the feeling that if the person you like were your cousin, you could always be together.

The bittersweet words paired with a city-pop-tinged melody should help leave a pleasant aftertaste.

It’s also a great pick for a male–female duet.

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somedayyuzu

Someday – Yuzu (cover)

Someday, Yuzu

As the year draws to a close, we tend to look back—resolving that next year will be the one, or getting a bit sentimental.

When the cold winter makes you feel lonely, how about a song like this? It’s a winter tune that’s perfect for the year’s end.

I feel like singing it gives me a boost of energy.

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powder snowRemioromen

Remioromen – Powder Snow (Music Video Short ver.)

Powder Snow Remioromen

An insert song from the drama “1 Litre of Tears.” Even the title alone makes it a perfect song for winter.

Its persistently wistful tone feels like it’s announcing the year’s end.

At the most soaring part of the chorus, it’s as if the memories from this year whirl past like a revolving lantern.

Try singing it while basking in those memories.

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Winter TaleSandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / Winter Story

Winter Story - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE

Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE—their wonderfully romantic winter song, “Fuyu Monogatari” (Winter Story), is well known.

Many of you may have heard it on NTV’s information program PON! or in commercials for Huis Ten Bosch.

With lyrics like “Maybe just having time together is enough to make us happy,” it’s perfect for the season, expressing how the warmth of a person reveals the depth of love.

It’s an irresistible ballad for ballad lovers.

Incidentally, this is the song they performed at the 64th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

Maybe it’s a favorite of Sandaime J Soul Brothers! If you’re going to sing in front of someone you like, practice and sing this one!

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era; age; time; periodMiyuki Nakajima

Era – Miyuki Nakajima (Full)

Era – Miyuki Nakajima

It’s a timeless classic that has been covered by many singers and never loses its luster, even after decades.

While Miyuki Nakajima’s powerful vocals are one of her great appeals, in this song her gentle voice really touches the heart.

The passage of time can be fleeting, but this piece encourages you to keep moving forward, step by step, toward the future.

It’s the kind of song you want to sing to welcome the New Year with brightness.

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Snow BlossomMika Nakashima

Mika Nakashima “Yuki no Hana” MUSIC VIDEO

Snow Flower by Mika Nakashima

When the song was first released, it was used in a candy commercial.

In 2019, a film inspired by this track was produced and became a hot topic.

Mika Nakashima is well-known for her love ballads, and this song is one of the prime examples.

Its heartrending melody evokes the loneliness of winter.

How about singing this song while reminiscing about old memories?

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