Being an “imported” holiday, the Christmas in Japan is a commercial event, not a religious celebration. However, there are many customs related to Christmas that almost became “tradition” in Japan: the Christmas parties, gifts, illuminations, the Christmas tree, the Christmas cake and, of course… the Christmas songs.
Besides the well known Christmas Carols, cover songs and remakes, in the last 30 years a lot of original Japanese Christmas songs were composed.
So this Christmas (since I am a Santa Girl), if you want to listen to something new, I’m offering you a selection with some of the most beautiful Japanese Christmas songs.
Merry Christmas! メリークリスマス
1. Fukuyama Masaharu - Heart of X’mas (Album Peach!!/Heart of Xmas, 1998)
2. TOKIO - Ding-dong (Single, 2002)
3. Saeko Suzuki - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Album I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, 1991)
4. Tatsuro Yamashita - Christmas Eve (Album Melodies, 1983)
Tatsuro Yamashita is best known for this song, which initially appeared on the Melodies album in 1983.
The song became a hit and it is considered one of the standard Japanese Christmas songs, winning the Special Prize at the 45th Japan Record Awards, 20 years after its release!
5. Shazna - White Silent Night (Single, 1997)
6. T.M.Revolution - Burnin’ X’mas (Single, 1998)
Related to this song, 5 Hello Kitty keychains were released as promotional items for TMR’s 10th anniversary in 2005. They are designed based on the costumes used in the respective song’s videos.
7. Matsu Takako - Christmas no Yakusoku
8. Fukuyama Masaharu - Kissin’ in the Holy Night (Album Kissin’ in the Holy Night, 2000)
9. Hirakawachi 1-chome - Kitto Santa ga (Single,2004)
10. Southern All Stars - Christmas Time Forever (Album Yo ni Manyō no Hana ga Sakunari, 1992)
11. Ilaria Graziano - Christmas in the Silent Forest (Ghost in the shell soundtrack, 2005)
12. Shogo Hamada - Sadness Is Like Snow / Sentimental Christmas (Single, 1981)
13. Judy And Mary - Christmas (Album Orange Sunshine, 2001)
14. Dreams Come True - Yuki no Christmas (Single Yuki no Christmas, 1990)
15. Midori Karashima - Silent Eve (Album Romantic Christmas, 2009)
16. C-ute - Aitai Lonely Christmas (Single, 2010)
17. L’Arc~en~Ciel - Hurry Xmas (Single, 2007)
18. GLAY - Christmas Ring (Album One Love, 2001)
19. KAT-TUN - White Xmas (Single, 2008)
20. BoA - Merry Kuri (Merry Chri) (Single, 2004)
Although BoA is a Korean singer, the Merry Kuri (Merry Chri) song was launched in 2004 in two versions, Korean and Japanese, and it became one of the best known Christmas songs in Japan.
21. Crazy Ken Band - Hallelujah Xmas
22. Matsuura Aya - Koibito wa Santa Claus
23. Mari Ijima - Blue Christmas (Single, 1988)
24. Megumi Hayashibara - Cherish Christmas (Album Bertemu, 1996)
25. AKB48 - Anata to Christmas Eve
26. Aya Matsuura - Merry Xmas For You (Album 100Kai no Kiss, 2001)
27. EXILE - I Believe (Single, 2007)
28. Skoop on Somebody - This Christmas (Album Sounds of Snow, 2002)
29. Nami Tamaki – Christmas time (Album Winter Ballades, 2007)
30. Ellegarden - Santa Claus (Album Don’t Trust Anyone But Us, 2002)
31. Buono! - Winter Story (Single, 2009)
32. Rita Iota - Christmas Night
33. Hiromi – Our Christmas Song (Album Hot Chocolate, 2009)
34. Mihimaru GT – So Merry Christmas (Single, 2004)
35. Tommy Heavenly6 – I♥Xmas (Single, 2006)
36. B’z - Itsuka no Merry Christmas (Album B’z The Best “Ultra Pleasure", 2008)
37. Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence Soundtrack, 1983)
38. Glay - Karera no Holy X’mas (Album Unity Roots and Family, Away, 2002)
39. Petitmoni - Pittari Shitai X’mas! (Single, 2001)
40. SMAP – Christmas Night (Album Dangan Fighter, 2007)
41. Lareine – Whiteness ~Yuki no Kubikazari~ (Album Etude, 2002)
42. Mariko Nagai - ZUTTO ～Xmas Version～
43. Shonen Knife – All I want for Christmas (Single, 2005)
44. Funky Monkey Babys - Boku wa Santa Claus (Single Mō Kimi ga Inai, 2007)
45. U-ka saegusa IN db - Daremo ga Kitto Dareka no Santa Claus (Single, 2008)
46. Shazna - Winter’s Review (Single, 1999)
47. Hamada Masatoshi & Noriyuki Makihara - Chicken Rice (Single, 2004)
48. AKB48 - Manatsu no Christmas Rose
49. Mimori Yusa & Koga Morio - Silent Bells (Single, 1989)
50. Morning Musume - Wa~ MERRY Pin X’mas! (Single, 2006)
