A lovely graduation song

[Graduation Songs of the 2000s] Japanese Music That Colors the Season of Departure

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

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.

[Graduation Songs of the 2000s] Japanese Tracks Coloring the Season of Departure (41–50)

Graduation Trip ~Morning Musume: A Song for Those Setting Off~Mōningu Musume.

Morning Musume Graduation Trip ~A Song Sent to Those Setting Out~

Graduation Trip ~Morning Musume: A Song for Those Setting Off~Mōningu Musume.

When it comes to graduating, the hardest part is having to say goodbye to friends—that’s probably the biggest worry, isn’t it? Even though you know it’s not like you’ll never see each other again, it’s still sad.

Morning Musume’s song “Sotsugyo Ryokou ~A Song for Those Setting Out by Morning Musume~” is a moving track about friendship that really captures those feelings.

It’s included on their 2003 album “No.5.” It’s a song you’ll want to dedicate to a dear friend, and one that makes you want to pledge an unchanging friendship from here on out.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

GOOD BYE MY SCHOOL DAYSDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE – 「GOOD BYE MY SCHOOL DAYS」

GOOD BYE MY SCHOOL DAYSDREAMS COME TRUE

GOOD BYE MY SCHOOL DAYS by DREAMS COME TRUE, released in 2009.

As the title suggests, it’s a song about graduation, and there are versions sung by Oreskaband, FUZZY CONTROL, and Mikako Tabe.

It’s very DCT—fresh and uplifting, yet with a poignant ache that catches up with you afterward.

As a song that captures the feelings of graduates, it’s a graduation tune many can surely relate to.

It’s one I recommend listening to on the very day of the ceremony.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Have the plums bloomed? Are the cherry blossoms not yet?Metis

Metis: Have the plums bloomed yet? Are the cherry blossoms still not out? A birthday sing-and-play. Cherry blossoms will bloom for everyone.

Have the plums bloomed? Are the cherry blossoms not yet?Metis

Metis’s reggae song “Ume wa saita ka, sakura wa mada kaina.” This single was released in 2007, and its title—famous as a line from an Edo-period folk song—is woven into the lyrics, grabbing your ears in an instant.

It evokes the season when plum blossoms are in full bloom and thoughts turn to cherry blossoms—the time of year when we eagerly await spring, which also happens to be graduation season.

The song beautifully captures the mix of excitement for spring and the bittersweet feelings of graduation.

It’s a number that resonates deeply with graduates’ hearts and is perfect for taking that first step into something new.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Song of DepartureAAA

AAA / Tabidachi no Uta (short ver.)

Song of DepartureAAA

AAA’s 20th single, “Tabidachi no Uta,” released in 2009.

This ballad sings of parting and setting off on a new journey; it can be heard as a graduation song and, in terms of its lyrics, as a love song as well.

It portrays saying goodbye to someone important and taking that first step forward, something graduates will likely feel very personally.

Even if we part here, we’ll meet again—the anticipation of the next time we see each other, the hope to reminisce after a few years, and the resolve to do our best until then.

That’s the kind of feeling it conveys.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

GraduationCharcoal Filter

[PV] Charcoal Filter – Graduation (卒業)

GraduationCharcoal Filter

Charcoal Filter’s “Sotsugyo” (Graduation) expresses feelings about graduation and setting off on a new journey in a straightforward way.

Graduation overflows with many emotions: the sorrow of parting from friends you’ve walked with until now, the sense of accomplishment from all your hard work, and the excitement and anxiety of heading to a new place.

This song makes you feel that it’s okay to carry all those feelings with you and keep moving forward just as you are.

It inspires you to gain lots of experiences on your own path so that when you meet again, you’ll have plenty to talk about.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem