A collection of classic songs about friends: friendship songs for children
Once children enter kindergarten or nursery school—or even before that—they make close friends, don’t they?
Friends who spend time together from a young age will likely become lifelong best friends.
In this article, we introduce friendship songs you’ll want to listen to with your children.
We’ve gathered songs that depict friendship from among children’s songs, anime theme songs, and trending J-pop that are popular with kids.
Take this opportunity to listen and sing along together and have fun!
Friendship songs for kids: A collection of classic friend-themed hits (1–10)
That’s a friend.Sakushi: Higurashi Shinzou / Sakkyoku: Morimoto Kiyoto
This work stays close to children jumping into a new environment and sings about the wonders of friendship.
Singing it together to the bright melody can be a great way to deepen bonds.
It was selected as the Monthly Song on NHK’s program “Okaasan to Issho” from July to August 2011, and it became popular in the anime “Tomodachi 8-nin” as a song featuring the full cast of characters.
It was included on an album released in October of the same year, as well as on various special compilations, and it remains enduringly popular.
It’s especially recommended for first graders starting their new school lives.
Be sure to listen to this warm message song that cherishes dear friends.
Everyone falls in love with someone.Sakushi: Sakata Osamu / Sakkyoku: Hayashi Akira
This is a song with lyrics by Osamu Sakata and music by Akira Hayashi.
It was featured as the “Song of the Month” on NHK E-TV’s program Okaasan to Issho in February and March 2012, and was included on an album released in October 2012.
The imagery flows from the sky and clouds to people, carrying a warm message that everyone cherishes someone.
Children entering elementary school are often full of anxiety, but listening to this song can encourage them to think, “I’ll try to make friends with the child sitting next to me.” At the entrance ceremony, if everyone sings it as a gift to the new first graders, it might make them feel excited, thinking, “Elementary school is a fun place.”
This is the friend-making factoryKannuim Kumiko
An entrance ceremony is a place where you meet new friends for the first time.
Some children may feel anxious.
This work is aimed at those children, carrying a message to the friends with whom they’ll be spending fun times together.
You can almost feel the warm spring air, and it gives a cozy feeling.
Published as a magazine supplement in April 2014, this song features a very bright and energetic melody that leaves a strong impression.
At an entrance ceremony, you might be sitting next to a child you don’t know at all.
But once you start singing together, before you realize it, you’ve become good friends! It’s also recommended to sing it together with the children to ease the tension of the entrance ceremony.
best friendSG
A song by SG that I want to give to a dear friend.
As the title suggests, it’s a warm message song themed around the bond with a friend deeply connected at heart.
Life brings many partings—graduations, turning points—but this song straightforwardly sings about an unchanging friendship despite distance, and the hope of meeting again.
Released as a single in March 2022, it resonated with many people, ranking high in LINE MUSIC’s real-time music video charts.
Known for “Bokura Mata,” SG penned this track in his own words, offering not only the sorrow of parting but also the courage to look ahead.
It’s perfect as BGM for graduation season, as well as for times when you want to express gratitude that’s hard to say, or when you’re thinking of a friend far away.
proofflumpool
A number by flumpool produced in 2011 as the set piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition (Junior High School Division) and also broadcast on “Minna no Uta.” The bond with friends is something invisible to the eye, but the time spent together and the days of crying and laughing side by side surely remain in our hearts.
This work sings about that unseen yet undeniable certainty that we are companions.
It peaked at No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and was also included on the album “experience.” Not only the fun times, but even the clashes—everything was necessary to deepen the bond.
It’s a song that gently gives a push to friends facing life’s milestones, such as graduation or moving on to the next stage.
Best friendSnow Man
How about a heartwarming song that straightforwardly expresses gratitude to an irreplaceable best friend? Featured on the standard edition of the single “Dangerholic,” released in September 2023, this track is a friendship song performed by Snow Man.
It conveys a heartfelt “thank you” to a friend who stayed by your side without saying a word when you were worn out by everyday life and hurt by what others said.
The relay-like structure in which the nine members take turns singing conveys a strong bond and gentleness.
It’s a perfect classic for telling a friend who’s heading down a different path the appreciation that’s usually too embarrassing to say out loud.
If everyone sings it together on the milestone day of graduation, holding past memories close, it will surely become a lifelong treasure you’ll never forget.
f.r.i.e.n.d.sHirai Dai
Released in October 2025, this work is a heartwarming pop number themed around “friendship,” just as the title suggests.
It’s a song whose gentle sound and vocals really sink in, featuring a children’s chorus recruited through the fan club.
Its straightforward message that resonates with everyone—from adults to kids—is truly wonderful.
It’s a friendship song that makes you want to hum along with someone you love.