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.

Playlist

Still packed with timeless classics! A roundup of 1970s Japanese graduation songs
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Galaxy Express 999Godaigo		Song of Departure, Conveying Hope Across Generations
2	Let me have that wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu		A refreshing classic, the brilliance of youth
3	Farewell, youthogura kei		A song of parting in youth and the resolve to take a new step
4	spring thunderfuki no tō		A classic song that sings about the end of winter in Hokkaido
5	Our JourneyNakamura Masatoshi		Nakamura Masatoshi’s classic hit “Tabi,” which depicts youth
6	cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe		“Cosmos”: a masterpiece by Momoe Yamaguchi
7	Student StreetKinochi Midori		Midori Kinouchi’s bittersweet song of youth
8	HERO (The time to become a hero is now)Kai Band		Powerful, heart-stirring rock that propels you forward
9	According to the calendarkaze		The season from winter to spring and the feelings of parting
10	GraduationTHE ALFEE		A song of youthful memories and bittersweet emotions
11	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		A coming-of-age story, a classic graduation song, a track brimming with nostalgia.
12	youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran		Treasure the present in your youth, and make memories you won’t regret.
13	Please give me wingskami fuusen		The classic song for graduation ceremonies, “Tabidachi no Hi ni” (On the Day of Departure)
14	Parting at 22kaze		"Wind" is a song of youth, a story of a heartrending farewell.
15	Lingering Snowiruka		Deeply moved by Iruka’s classic song “Nagori Yuki.”
16	Strawberry Statement, Once Morebanban		A youthful song about memories of movies and love
17	GraduationMatsuyama Chiharu		The classic song 'On the Day of Departure' that portrays the innocence of youth
18	Let’s say farewell to tearsMorita Kensaku		A masterpiece that portrays the pains and hopes of youth
19	Words of FarewellKaientai		A classic by Kaientai—a song about heartbreak and graduation, a tear-jerking masterpiece.
20	Smiling Backkyandīzu		A bright graduation song by Candies
21	scarecrowsadamasashi		Masashi Sada: Love for His Hometown and Departure
22	ShihoriGorin Mayumi		A poignant song that quietly reflects on past love
23	Say goodbye with all your hearttenchi mari		Snow White: Mari Amachi’s Song of Parting and Hope
24	cherry blossom blizzardŌta Hiromi		A bittersweet song of love's end, with cherry blossoms dancing
25	Feel the windHamada Shogo		An anthem of freedom and hope for a new season
26	The last spring breakhaifaisetto		A song of heartbreak’s sorrow and warm memories
27	My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi		A classic song that sings about memories of friends from school days.
28	Poem of Youthyoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida, who popularized folk rock and portrayed youth
29	Lingering Snowkaguya hime		Memories of youth, the lyrics of 'Nagori Yuki'
30	Farewell to the Days of YouthArisu		Moved by Alice’s classic song during graduation season
31	Thank you for everything.Inoue Jun		Jun Inoue's classic: a song of gratitude and farewell
32	From Tears to Tomorrowtenchi mari		A heartwarming graduation song by Mari Amachi
33	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		The classic hit by Yū Aku and Kyōhei Tsutsumi, “Until the Day We Meet Again.”
34	Song of DepartureKamijō Tsunehiko		A moving graduation song that transcends generations: 'Song of Departure'
35	Graduationkyandīzu		Candies’ graduation song is a masterpiece.
36	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		Tulip’s classic song depicting a parting in life
37	My favorite teacherRC sakuseshon		Gratitude and bittersweetness for a cherished teacher from my memories
38	GraduationDa Kāpo		Da Capo’s classic song “Sotsugyo” (Graduation), a refreshing song about parting
39	Just like back thenBureddo & Batā		Graduation season, a timeless classic
40	Cape TourYamamoto Kōtarō to Uīkuendo		A famous song that depicts the poignant romance of a journey, by Kotaro Yamamoto.
41	Our FailureMorita Doji		Morita Doji’s masterpiece, a sound that resonates in the heart
42	Goodbyeofukōsu		A poignant classic for farewells during graduation season
43	GraduationKurata Mariko		A 1970s graduation song filled with feelings for a friend
44	the first strong spring windkyandīzu		A refreshing classic that captures the arrival of spring
45	In a distant worldItsutsu no akai fūsen		An inspiring, moving send-off song that cheers on youth
46	GraduationAsaoka Megumi		During her idol days, she was active, singing with a great figure/style.
47	I want to go far away.Duke Aces		Masterpieces from the '70s are still being sung today.
48	cherry blossom blizzardchiaki naomi		A warm song of graduation and farewell, Naomi Chiaki
49	To say goodbyebiriibanban		Banban masterpiece, a song of farewell and resolve
50	Love Dial 6700Fingā 5		Fingers Five’s youthful hit songs and the popularity of sunglasses
51	THE END If we meet unexpectedlyfoorību su		Four Leaves' melancholy classic
52	school daysPegī Hayama		Graduation songs that color our school days with memories
53	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s “Stars on the Ground” — a masterpiece that continues to inspire lives
54	interaction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshi		Masatoshi Nakamura's moving graduation song
55	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Graduation song 'The One Who Rings That Bell' — a moving song
56	Et ceteraŌba Kumiko		Overcame panic disorder and became a counselor
57	Goodbye, my friend.Yamada Panda		A song that sings about Yamada Panda’s departure on the journey of life
58	Hand-knitted giftOkada Nana		Okada Nana’s classic masterpiece that resonates with the heart
59	Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s youth ballad, a classic that resonates with memories
60	My friend, don’t cry.Morita Kensaku		Kensaku Morita’s youth anthem encourages young people.
61	A café in a student districtGaro		A coming-of-age song whose melancholy lyrics resonate deep in the heart
62	graduationKurata Mariko		A classic song that sings of friendship and the feelings of graduation, “Graduation.”
63	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		A masterpiece that depicts parting and new departures, moving hearts across generations.
64	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		The moving tale of parting and new beginnings told through Momoe’s classic songs
65	third-year middle school studentMori Masako		The classic song that continues to sing of youthful emotions, 'Third-Year Junior High Student'
66	According to the calendarkaze		Masakazu Ise’s youth, a bittersweet graduation song
67	Boy in the back alleyHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s origins: portraying the struggles and dreams of youth
68	It was spring, wasn’t it?yoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s signature song “It Was Spring.”