Still packed with timeless classics! A roundup of 1970s Japanese graduation songs
As graduation season approaches, do you ever find yourself wanting to listen to old songs for some reason? Japanese music from the 1970s is full of classics about partings and new beginnings.
Chats with friends, tender first loves, and the mix of excitement and anxiety about the road ahead—songs from that era delicately weave together the complex emotions of youth.
In this article, we’re introducing 70s tracks perfect for graduation season.
We’ve picked a wide range, from songs directly about graduation to pieces that evoke the coming of spring and the brilliance of youth.
Let the nostalgic melodies wash over you as you gently trace back your memories of those days.
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Still full of timeless classics! A roundup of Japanese graduation songs from the ’70s (61–70)
A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe
Momoe Yamaguchi’s “Ii Hi Tabidachi” is a masterpiece that colors the moments of farewell and new departures.
Though the lyrics and melody by Shinji Tanimura were created in 1978, they possess a timeless charm that continues to be loved.
Yamaguchi’s pure and powerful voice evokes an even deeper emotion.
Even after her retirement, her enduring presence never fades, and it’s easy to understand why this song continues to be cherished.
Loved across generations, this piece fills the heart with hope for new beginnings when listened to during graduation season.
third-year middle school studentMori Masako
Masako Mori’s “Third-Year Junior High School Student,” a song that continues to move listeners, is a 1973 hit that gently sings of the poignant feelings unique to adolescence.
The bittersweet emotions of a girl standing at the significant milestone of graduation evoke deep empathy from listeners.
The interlude incorporates the melody of “Auld Lang Syne,” making it a staple that colors graduation ceremonies and is passed down by many.
The reason it remains loved across time can be said to lie in its lyrics and melody, which faithfully capture pure emotions.
According to the calendarkaze
Shozo Ise’s classic “Wakare at 22 (Goodbye at 22)” is great, but isn’t this his ultimate graduation song? In his uniquely Ise-like lyrics, a pure-hearted young man graduates without ever confessing his faint feelings from his student days—spring is near with the cherry blossoms about to bloom, yet his heart is in a cold winter.
The song is included on Kaze’s 1976 album “Toki wa Nagarete…”
Boy in the back alleyHamada Shogo
Released in 1976, “Alley Boy” was Shogo Hamada’s debut single, set in the period when he lived in Yokohama from age 16 to 22, including his ronin (gap-year exam study) days.
While it doesn’t directly deal with graduation, many boys in their sensitive adolescence were deeply moved by the song.
It captures an era’s sense of frustration—the dilemma of having dreams yet being unable to move forward.
It was spring, wasn’t it?yoshida takurou
This is one of the tracks from Takuro Yoshida’s best-selling album, “Genki Desu,” released in 1972.
“Harudatta ne” combines a unique charm with innovative elements that have captured the hearts of many fans and never let go.
It is also one of the representative works that fully showcases Yoshida’s musicality, and it can be said to have had a significant impact on the Japanese music scene.
In conclusion
We introduced many graduation songs, including timeless classics that are still beloved today.
Alongside nostalgic tracks, there were likely many songs you’ve heard even at recent graduation ceremonies.
The 1970s—often called the golden age of Showa-era pop—were brimming with masterpieces, not just graduation songs.
Even for younger generations who didn’t experience that era, we’d be delighted if this article sparks your interest.