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