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 to sing at the end of the year: A roundup of popular and classic hits (91–100)

I’m in love.Every Little Thing

In Love: Every Little Thing cover by YUKKA feat. K☆

Every Little Thing in Love

It’s a classic winter love song that I remember and feel like singing when December or the year’s end arrives.

The lyrics are so beautiful that they’re bittersweet and well up in my heart.

It’s a happy song that somehow makes me feel good and fills me with happiness even as I sing it.

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broad daylightKing Gnu

King Gnu – Hakujitsu

Hakujitsu by King Gnu

A calm-tempo song, “Hakujitsu,” by the hybrid band King Gnu.

It also serves as the theme song for NTV’s Saturday drama Innocence: Wrongful Conviction Lawyer.

It begins with a subdued feel but builds toward the end.

Thanks to the intertwining melody lines, it’s a great song for multiple people to sing and enjoy at year-end parties.

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Christmas songback number

back number – “Christmas Song” Music Video

Christmas song back number

It’s the kind of song you want to listen to from Christmas through the end of the year.

It’s a lovely love song with lyrics about a man nursing a crush, and it really tugs at the heartstrings.

You can’t help but wish someone would feel that way about you.

It’s a karaoke favorite that you’ll want to sing when the winter chill sets in.

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Departuresglobe

globe / 'DEPARTURES' (Starring: Ayaka Miyoshi)

Departuresglobe

Personally, I’m from the generation that loves globe, so I still feel like singing their songs when winter comes.

I think it’s a classic winter tune.

You don’t really hear songs like this nowadays, do you? It’s so cool, and the high notes are irresistibly bittersweet.

It’s the perfect winter song for the year’s end.

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Tokyo Winter SessionHONEY WORKS

HoneyWorks 'Tokyo Winter Session feat. Yu Setoguchi, Natsuki Enomoto, Sota Mochizuki, Akari Hayasaka, Haruki Serizawa, Mio Gouda (CV: Hiroshi Kamiya, Haruka Tomatsu, Yuki Kaji, Kana Asumi, Kenichi Suzumura, Aki Toyosaki)'}

Tokyo Winter Session HONEYWORKS

The TV anime Our Love Has Always Been 10 Centimeters Apart is based on the creative unit HoneyWorks.

The song chosen as the ending theme is their “Tokyo Winter Session.” Sung by the characters in the show, it’s a track that evokes the feeling of Christmas and New Year’s.

It’s a dance tune with an impressive pop sound laid over a house-style beat.

Sing it at karaoke and it’s sure to get everyone hyped!

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Beyond the Night SkySMAP

Beyond the Night Sky – SMAP

Beyond the Night Sky SMAP

Somehow, it might be the kind of song you feel nostalgic for and want to listen to at the end of the year.

It’s a smash-hit classic by SMAP, and I’ve heard it’s even included in elementary school textbooks.

The tempo and overall feel are on the brighter side, but the slightly bittersweet lyrics make it perfect for year’s end, I think.

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced lots of songs that are perfect for year-end karaoke! From cool tracks to relaxing ones across various genres, every song was wonderful and made you look forward to the coming year.

Be sure to sing them at karaoke to reflect on this year and let your thoughts wander to the next.