A graduation song released in the 1990s. A memorable classic that accompanies the graduation season.

seasonZARD

ZARD Season ZARD cover band G-rand (Grand)

ZARD is a music unit fronted by vocalist Izumi Sakai.

A song I’d like to highlight as a hidden gem known mainly to devoted fans is “Season.” The reason is that despite never being released as a single, “Season” is the only song of its kind to consistently rank high in fan polls.

Its lyrics portray the feelings of students on the verge of graduation.

Because the song never explicitly defines its characters or situations, it invites wide interpretation, making it easy for anyone to relate.

Give it a listen when you’re feeling lonely or need a boost.

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yamamoto

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Unforgettable School DaysGurēto Chikin Pawāzu

[Unforgettable School Days] Great Chicken Powers (Gurechiki) Second Single

While performing as a comedy duo, Great Chicken Powers gained idol-like popularity thanks to their handsome looks.

Their second single, “Wasurenai School Days,” released in 1995, is a moving graduation song that stands in contrast to the comedic side they show in their sketches.

Written and composed by the members themselves, the song portrays in down-to-earth words the loneliness that follows the graduation ceremony and the anxiety of being separated from someone you like.

It was a hit at the time of release, and many people still remember it as a seasonal classic.

It’s a perfect ballad for that sentimental time when familiar scenery looks just a little different.

Let its melody, filled with the brilliance and bittersweetness of youth, lead you to look back on memories with your dear friends.

Even after graduating, even after saying goodbye, even from afarMariko Nagai

Mariko Nagai – Even If We Graduate, Even If We Say Goodbye, Even From Afar

Starting with what seems like a bright anecdote—being the only one grinning widely in a graduation group photo—this song is actually a bittersweet number about a love that was never confessed.

With lyrics penned by Mariko Nagai, it vividly portrays a powerful feeling that doesn’t fade even after graduation and goodbyes, and every listen brings back the sights of those days in sharp detail.

Released in February 1993 as the B-side of a single and later included on the March 1993 album “OPEN ZOO,” it’s a hidden gem.

Why not listen to it when you’re anxious about walking separate paths and possibly never meeting again, yet still want to believe in an unchanging bond? Alongside the sweet-and-sour memories of youth, it will gently warm your heart as you set out on a new journey.

cherry blossomKawamoto Makoto

[MV] Makoto Kawamoto “Sakura”

Makoto Kawamoto is a singer-songwriter.

The piece she created with graduation as its theme is Sakura.

Its lyrics depict students gazing at cherry blossoms as they look back on their memories and pledge unchanging friendship.

The content resonates with a wide range of generations, making it perfect to listen to with friends or as a parent and child.

The melody is piano-centered, giving it a delicate yet beautiful atmosphere.

Wouldn’t it be perfect to perform at graduation ceremonies or farewell parties?

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Bye For NowT-BOLAN

T-BOLAN「Bye For Now」MV

T-BOLAN is a four-piece rock band that enjoyed immense popularity in the 1990s as a leading act of the Being label.

Although they disbanded once, they resumed activities in 2017.

Their 6th single, “Bye For Now,” which was used as the theme song for the TV drama Woman Dream, was written for a staff member at the time who had decided to go abroad.

The lyrics, which vow that even if you part ways now you will surely meet again, perfectly capture the message you’d want to promise friends at a graduation ceremony.

Thanks to its long-running success, the song became a million seller—a rock ballad that portrays a positive farewell scene.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Where Smiles GoDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE “Where the Smiles Go”

On graduation day, we want to say goodbye with a smile, but that feeling of loneliness inevitably wells up, doesn’t it? This song, gently accompanying those wavering emotions, was released by DREAMS COME TRUE in February 1990.

Beloved as the theme song for the TBS drama “Sotsugyo” (“Graduation”), it also ranked high on the charts.

Miwa Yoshida’s lyrics blend bravado with heartache, tightening listeners’ chests with their poignancy.

It’s also cherished by fans as the first single for which Masato Nakamura composed the music.

A different version is included on the album “WONDER 3.” It’s the perfect track to play on your way home as you reluctantly part with friends, or whenever you feel like looking back on your youth.

Born on this planetSugimoto Ryuichi

[Chorus] Born on This Planet (Mixed Chorus in Three Parts)

A staple choral number written and composed by Ryuichi Sugimoto, beloved as the ending theme of NHK’s nature documentary program “Ikimono Chikyū Kikō” (Nature Walks on Earth).

Released in August 1996 as part of the soundtrack album, this piece features a melody that resonates deeply, enveloping grand themes such as the Earth and life itself.

The lyrics, which align with the sweeping sense of scale conveyed by the program’s visuals, are abstract yet generously open to each listener’s own interpretation.

Multiple choral arrangements exist—including equal-voice two-part and mixed chorus—and its continued presence at elementary and junior high school graduation ceremonies further speaks to its appeal.

It’s a heartwarming song that’s perfect for those who want to sing with hope for the future during the season of departures, or for anyone seeking a piece that can be shared across generations.