[Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
The graduation ceremony marks the culmination of your school life.
As you look back on your memories, you may feel nostalgic, lonely, or reluctant to say goodbye—so many emotions can come rushing in.
In this article, we’ll introduce graduation songs that will stay close to your heart when you’re overflowing with such feelings.
“I held it together and didn’t cry at the ceremony, but once I got home and was alone, I felt lonely…” “I’m hopeful about my new life, but saying goodbye to everyone is still so sad!” We’ve gathered songs we want you to listen to in moments like these.
They’re all timeless tracks that capture the loneliness you’re feeling and the memories you cherish—moving songs that might just bring you to tears.
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[Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026] (111–120)
The happiest treasuresutopuri
As a heartwarming song that adds color to the graduation season, Sutopuri’s vocals resound.
Vividly depicting the March scenery of dancing cherry blossoms, it gently sings of memories with friends and hopes for the future.
Released in March 2023, the song was unveiled as a surprise during the group’s nationwide arena tour at Yokohama Arena.
Born from a collaboration with HoneyWorks, the fresh melody will gently encourage not only those graduating, but everyone taking a new step forward.
If you’re experiencing farewells with loved ones or embracing new encounters, please give this song a listen—it’s a sincere cheer from the heart.
Primal.THE YELLOW MONKEY
This work by THE YELLOW MONKEY is a gem released before the band went on hiatus.
The lyrics, which lay bare raw, primitive emotions, are striking and deftly convey a complex state of mind.
Packed with deep insight—such as the loneliness of a bleak morning and the guilt that lurks behind kindness—it truly resonates.
Released in January 2001, it became their ninth consecutive single to reach the top ten on the Oricon charts.
Written with graduation season in mind, it’s a perfect song for those facing a new beginning with mixed feelings.
Never ForgetMōningu Musume.
It was released in 1999 as the B-side track to Morning Musume’s fourth single, “Memory Seishun no Hikari.” The song features Asuka Fukuda, who graduated from the group with this single, as the main vocalist, and was written and composed by Tsunku.
It is a graduation song that expresses the honest feelings at the moment of setting off on a new journey.
To the days without a nameyama
This is the seventh digital single by yama, a singer who started out as a cover vocalist and has been drawing attention from many quarters after the massive hit of Spring Tells in 2020.
The track is also included on their major-label debut album, the meaning of life, and was selected as the theme song for Seven-Eleven’s original web anime Rainbow Finder #3.
With lyrics about moving on to the next stage while holding on to the dazzling memories of youth, it’s likely to resonate especially with students approaching graduation.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to while basking in nostalgia, with an androgynous vocal tone and an emotional melody that truly hits home.
GraduationOzaki Yutaka
It was released in 1985 as Yutaka Ozaki’s fourth single.
Issued as the lead single from the album “Kaikisen” (Tropic of Capricorn), its lyrics—expressing frustrations when things don’t go as planned and the turmoil of sensitive adolescence—have long resonated with many young people.
Not only during graduation season, it continues to be sung today as one of Yutaka Ozaki’s signature songs.
Full of memoriesH₂O
This is the fifth single by H2O, a musical duo active from 1976 to 1985 that later reunited from 1999 to 2003 before disbanding.
The song was used as the theme for the TV anime Miyuki, and it’s also frequently chosen for music classes and choral competitions in junior high and high schools, so many people across generations have probably heard it.
Its lyrics, which reminisce about youth, and its wistful melody bring back memories of fun school days.
It’s an enduring graduation song whose impression changes greatly depending on whether you listen to it as a student or after you’ve graduated and time has passed.
FriendKetsumeishi
It’s a song with a message about friends who have each chosen different paths, yet still wanting to stay friends forever.
Ketsumeishi’s distinctive upbeat groove stylishly and realistically conveys the bond of male friendship.
If you listened to it before graduation, it would surely make you cherish the little time you have left together even more.