[Graduation Songs of the 2000s] Japanese Music That Colors the Season of Departure
In this article, we’re spotlighting “graduation songs that were hits in the 2000s.” From singer-songwriters and rock bands to idol groups, we’ve gathered a wide range of tracks.
Graduation is a major milestone in life.
Many songs about graduation express swirling emotions with striking directness, leaving a deep impression on the heart.
Whether you graduated in the 2000s, have experienced various moments of “graduation” or “new departures,” or are about to graduate, be sure to listen and feel the emotions woven into these songs.
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[Graduation Songs of the 2000s] Japanese Music Coloring the Season of Departure (21–30)
Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa
This is a track that could be called the very origin of Road of Major, a rock band formed from a TV show concept! Released in September 2002 as their indie debut single, it set a remarkable record by entering the Oricon Top 10 for 19 consecutive weeks despite having no tie-in.
It has continued to be loved over the years, later even being used in a car commercial in Taiwan.
With its exhilarating, fast-paced sound and lyrics that depict an unshakable bond with irreplaceable friends, it’s a song that makes your heart burn every time you hear it.
Also included on the classic album “ROAD OF MAJOR,” this track is perfect for throwing your arms around your friends at karaoke and singing together as you each set off on different paths after graduation.
Its melody, where overflowing passion coexists with a touch of bittersweetness, vividly brings back the shining memories of youth.
MiracleGReeeeN
When it comes to youth anthems, you just can’t leave this one out! Released in May 2008 as the theme song for the drama “ROOKIES,” GReeeeN’s signature track “Kiseki” is a pure love song that celebrates the joy of meeting the person you love and the resolve to walk into the future together.
True to its title, the lyrics call the couple’s meeting a “miracle” (kiseki) and describe the path they’ve walked as a “trace” or “trajectory” (also kiseki)—a wordplay that stirs the heart every time you listen.
In 2009, it was also chosen as the entrance march for the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, making it beloved across generations.
It’s a moving song you’ll want to play at graduations, thank-you parties, and those final moments with dear friends or a loved one, to express your gratitude.
It’s okayji ma ma
Many of you probably remember that gentle singing voice from the commercial! This song by jimama, a singer-songwriter from Okinawa, is a warm ballad that seems to wrap listeners’ anxieties in comfort.
The words, inspired by “the precious person who always supports you,” resonate deeply with hearts facing graduation or a new departure.
Released as a single in April 2009, it was featured in a Taiyo Yakuhin Kogyo TV commercial at the time and played in living rooms across the country.
It topped the charts in Okinawa and was rediscovered after a 2014 TV appearance, remaining a beloved classic.
It’s also included on the album “BEST OF jimama ~Kimi ni Okuru Uta~.” As spring brings changes, it’s perfect for friends who are feeling anxious.
Rather than forcing encouragement, it’s filled with a gentle presence that simply stays by your side—sing it at a farewell party or karaoke, and the whole room is sure to be wrapped in a warm atmosphere!
Cherry blossom seasonFujifaburikku
It’s a bittersweet yet warm number that conjures up images of spring scenery.
This work, released in April 2004 as the major-label debut single by Fujifabric—a band lauded for their lyrical sound—captures the melancholy of partings as cherry blossoms fall and the forlorn feelings when setting off for a faraway town.
The transparent piano tone is striking, giving the sense of gently filling the empty spaces in the listener’s memory.
As the first installment of a four-season series, this piece was also included on the album “Fujifabric.” It has been passed down over the years, even appearing in a high school music textbook in 2022.
It’s recommended for those moments when you pause at a turning point in life and want to sink into a sentimental mood.
Song of DepartureMr.Children
Mr.
Children’s ‘Tabidachi no Uta,’ the theme song for the film ‘Koizora (Sky of Love),’ is a song about parting from someone dear.
While farewells often evoke sadness, this song celebrates such partings as new beginnings rather than treating them as sorrowful.
It also carries the message: even if we’re apart, I’ll always be on your side.
Knowing you have friends who support you as you step into a new environment is truly reassuring.
A departure brings not only excitement but also many anxieties, and this song gently stays by your heart and gives you a push forward!
