[2026] Tearjerker Songs That Bring the House Down at School Culture Festivals
The school cultural festival, held once a year, is always a fun event.
From exhibitions and food stalls to volunteer performances on stage, there are all kinds of activities.
Amid all that, music plays an important role.
Whether it’s band performances, singing, dance routines, background music at the venue, or a theme song, music adds color to every moment.
In this article, we’ll spotlight tear-jerking, deeply moving songs from among our recommended tracks for cultural and school festivals.
Be sure to check out this playlist of masterpieces that will bring back memories of school life and the bonds with friends—and might just move you to tears!
- An uplifting, moving song to liven up the school festival—one that will be etched into your memories.
- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Popular band songs that hype up cultural and school festivals & recommended latest hit songs
- Tear-jerking youth songs: recommended classics and popular tracks
- [Uplifting Songs] A curated selection of popular and latest tracks to energize your school cultural festivals!
- A friendship song that fires up the culture festival/school festival
- [Youth Anthems] A curated selection of popular and latest songs to hype up your school cultural festival
- [For School Culture Festivals] A Selection of Hype Dance Tracks [2026]
- Youthful songs recommended as theme songs and openings for cultural and school festivals
- Fun and exciting! Dance songs that hype up cultural and school festivals [2026]
- [March 2026] Trending Songs: A roundup of the hottest viral tracks right now
- [Culture and School Festival Songs] A curated selection of popular and hit songs to brighten up your venues and events!
- [Guaranteed to resonate!] Youth songs that strike a chord with teens. Recommended coming-of-age tracks.
[2026] Moving, Tearjerker Songs That Fire Up at Culture and School Festivals (71–80)
DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE
This work by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE will be released in January 2025.
It’s a newly written song created as the theme for NHK General’s special program “Mrs.
GREEN APPLE 18 Festival.” The performance featuring a collaboration with 1,000 18-year-olds became a hot topic.
You’ll be overwhelmed by the dramatic sound and Motoki Omori’s soaring vocals.
The lyrics, which depict the struggles and growth of youth, truly resonate with listeners.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to value their individuality.
Give it a listen when you need a boost of motivation!
astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN
Released in February 2001 by BUMP OF CHICKEN, one of Japan’s representative rock bands, this song is a masterpiece that contrasts childhood innocence with the person we’ve become as we grow up, portraying the act of facing life’s unanswerable questions.
Motoo Fujiwara’s delicate lyrics blend beautifully with the band’s rich, layered sound, resonating deeply with listeners.
It was also featured as an insert song in a Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama and achieved the band’s highest single sales.
With over 100 million streams and music video views, it has remained beloved by many for years.
It’s a perfect youth anthem you’ll want to sing along to with friends at school festivals and cultural events.
Blue BookmarkGalileo Galilei
A gem of a song created by Galileo Galilei, a band regarded as a one-of-a-kind presence in Japan’s music scene.
Its lyrics delicately capture the transience and beauty of youth, paired with a gentle melody that resonates with the heart.
Released in 2011, it was also used as the opening theme for the anime “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day.” Written and composed by Yuuki Ozaki and arranged by the entire band, the song won the hearts of many music fans.
It’s perfect for revisiting friendships and school memories at cultural or school festivals, and is recommended for anyone who wants to share the bittersweet feelings of their youth.
Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy
A song by Vaundy that sings about recalling the days when one held dreams as big as a kaiju and striving to reignite that passion.
Through a song once hummed by someone dear in the past, the protagonist sets out to reclaim the dreams, hopes, and childlike innocence they had nearly forgotten, all unfolding alongside a captivating melody.
Released as a digital-only single in May 2020, the track rapidly gained popularity after being performed at the end of 2022 on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Its call-and-response style, which unites performers and audience, makes it an ideal choice for school and cultural festivals.
C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK
This song leaves a strong impression with a powerful message that feels like a snapshot from the pages of youth.
It embodies the courage to move toward the future and the resolve to cherish memories with friends, all delivered through ONE OK ROCK’s signature emotional vocals that resonate deeply.
Featured on the album Zankyo Reference, the track was released in October 2011 and skillfully fuses elements of metalcore and post-hardcore.
It was also chosen as the ending theme for the TV program “To the Top of the Earth: Futa Kuriki’s New Challenge,” captivating the hearts of many.
It’s a perfect choice for those who want to sing at cultural festivals, school festivals, or choir competitions.
Raise your voices together, and it will surely become an unforgettable memory.
Kimisidai TrainONE OK ROCK
This ambitious work by ONE OK ROCK is marked by powerful vocals and a fast-paced, exhilarating sound.
Interweaving English and Japanese lyrics, it expresses a determination to move forward—believing in one’s own potential and drawing strength from past experiences.
The members’ passionate performance blends perfectly with a message that pushes listeners onward.
Included on the album “Zankyo Reference,” released in October 2011, it’s cherished as a staple in live shows that fosters a strong sense of unity with fans.
More than just a boost during sports day practices, this song serves as a source of support when standing at life’s crossroads or taking a new step forward.
Friendswacci
This warm, gently drawn song about everyday life with friends is a single released by wacci in March 2020.
It was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime “Uchi Tama?! Have you seen my Tama?” and was written and composed by guitarist Keiji Muranaka.
The lyrics shine a light on the small, ordinary moments of each day and the unchanging routines, carefully weaving bonds with friends and brimming with a kindness that resonates in the heart.
The melody is lively and pleasant, striking a perfect balance with the slightly bittersweet lyrics to create a superb track.
It also works wonderfully as a theme song for school or cultural festivals—an uplifting, heartwarming anthem that colors a page of youth spent with friends.