[2026] Tearjerker Songs That Bring the House Down at School Culture Festivals

Photograph feat. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Horn SectionEXILE ATSUSHI

Photograph feat. Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Horn Section

EXILE ATSUSHI’s “Photograph” is a song that makes you feel that both the fun days and the tough days are all precious moments of youth.

Released in 2023, this track is a collaboration with the horn section of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and was selected as the support song for the 2023 National High School Baseball Championship.

The lyrics depict how the players, striving toward the Koshien stage and ultimately the goal of winning the championship, etch each day into their hearts like photographs.

At a school festival, too, it’s not just the main event—there are many memorable moments in the preparations and the cleanup.

Listening to this song while reflecting on each of those moments will surely move you.

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SAKI

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to youMONGOL800

To You by MONGOL800

This is a signature melodic punk rock song by MONGOL800, bursting with the explosive energy of youth.

Its straightforward message—conveying gratitude through a soulful vocal performance—and its simple yet powerful instrumentation strike listeners directly at the heart.

Featured on the album MESSAGE and used in the detergent “Top” commercial, the song has been covered and cherished by many artists since its release in September 2001.

Further appearances in the 2008 film “Utatama♪” and the 2012 drama “Late Blooming Sunflower” have cemented its status as a timeless classic across generations.

It’s a heartwarming number perfect for singing at the finale of school festivals and events, filled with thanks to those who matter most.

KizunaORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE – Kizuna

The title “Kizuna” already hints that it’s a moving song, doesn’t it? It’s the 12th single released in 2005 by ORANGE RANGE, the band synonymous with wildly energetic rock tunes and one of Okinawa’s most iconic acts.

Chosen as the theme song for the drama “Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu” (Be With You), it’s a ballad that expresses feelings for someone precious, making it perfect for scenes where you want to convey heartfelt emotions toward friends or teammates.

How about using it as background music for a school festival finale?

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utatane

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Dear Sir or Madam, on this day when cherry blossoms fluttermafumafu

[MV] Dear Sir/Madam, On This Day When Cherry Blossoms Flutter Down / Mafumafu [Shonen Janmaga Gakuen]

A heartwarming coming-of-age story by Mafumafu that vividly captures the emotion of spring as cherry blossoms dance in the air.

The song’s structure is striking, beginning with gentle piano melodies and unfolding into an exhilarating, fast-paced rhythm.

It delicately weaves universal themes of school-day memories, friendship, and farewells, highlighted by a warm vocal delivery that feels close to the listener’s heart.

Included on the album “Kagurairo Artifact,” released in October 2019, it was also used as the theme song for the website Shonen Janmaga Gakuen.

It’s a track to listen to when you want to feel the tender memories of student days, the arrival of spring, or when you’re going through a parting from someone important.

That paper airplane splits the cloudy sky19

That paper airplane splits the cloudy sky

Ano Kami Hikōki Kumori Sora Watte is one of the signature songs by the folk duo 19, who disbanded in 2002.

Released in 1999 as their second single, the track became a long-running hit and even earned them a spot on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The lyrics, which feel like a letter recalling a time not so long ago and the friends you used to be with, evoke a tight, aching sense of poignancy.

Even if you haven’t heard it because it’s an older song, listening to it while thinking about the friends you’re with now will surely make your heart swell.

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Blue and SummerMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Blue and Summer

The song vividly depicting summer youth is loved as one of Mrs.

GREEN APPLE’s signature tracks.

Written as the theme for the film “Blue Summer: 30 Days of You and Me,” it was included on a single released in August 2018.

With a driving, exhilarating melody, it captures the energetic emotions of young people and weaves into its lyrics the hallmarks of summer and the preciousness of each fleeting moment of adolescence.

The track has resonated with many listeners, surpassing 500 million total streams.

It’s a wonderful song that colors a page of youth—one you’ll want to hum along to with friends at cultural and school festivals.

I’ll call your name.SUPER BEAVER

SUPER BEAVER “I’ll Call Your Name” MV (Theme Song for the Film ‘Tokyo Revengers’)

A memorable number by SUPER BEAVER that brings back that day.

Released in July 2021, this song drew attention as the theme for the film Tokyo Revengers.

Through the act of “calling someone’s name,” it portrays the bonds with loved ones and the miracle of encounters.

While looking back on days gone by, its lyrics teach the importance of living in the present, resonating deeply with listeners.

Play it at a school or cultural festival, and it’s sure to bring back memories of days spent with friends and move you to tears.

It’s the perfect song for anyone who wants to cherish the memories of their youth.