NHK 홍백가합전
Kitajima regularly appeared on "Kōhaku Uta Gassen", an annual end-of-year TV program where many major Japanese singers gather to perform, before announcing his retirement from the show in 2013. He participated a record 50 times, was the "anchor" (final solo performer) 13 times and led the grand finale 11 times. His participation included the infamous DJ Ozma performance at the "57th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen". He returned at the "69th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen" in 2018 for a special performance.