[2026] Recommended for Women! A Collection of Moving J-POP Graduation Songs

The season of farewellSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Season of Goodbyes”

SHISHAMO is a girls’ band that enjoys strong support, especially among listeners in their teens and twenties.

Their uniquely laid-back melodies are popular.

This song, “Season of Goodbye,” is a work themed around student romance.

While there’s a touch of sadness, the lyrics are crafted to be endearingly heart-fluttering and cute.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Graduationsaitou yuki

Graduation Yuki Saito

“Sotsugyo” (Graduation) is Yuki Saito’s debut single, released in 1985.

It remains so popular that it’s no exaggeration to call it a quintessential graduation song, and even more than 30 years after its release, it continues to attract many artists to cover it.

To my dear youInoue Sonoko

Sonoko Inoue – To My Precious You

Inoue Sonoko often writes songs that capture her real feelings and high school life, and I’m sure this song will resonate with people around the same age.

Although “To My Precious You” isn’t a graduation song, it’s a youth anthem packed tightly with fun student-life memories.

When you listen, who comes to mind—someone you love, a secret crush, a dear friend? It’s a bright, upbeat track, but if you hear it in a graduation setting, all those happy memories may come flooding back one after another, and you might start to feel a little bittersweet.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Take off the uniform and say goodbye…Nogizaka 46

Nogizaka46 Taking Off the Uniform to Say Goodbye…

A Nogizaka46 song that portrays the feelings of a girl saying goodbye to the special time called “uniform” and taking her first step into adulthood.

Sung by Asuka Saito and Minami Hoshino, who were both in high school at the time, their true-to-life voices further enhance the song’s fresh, innocent charm.

Listening to this track—which conveys not only hope for the future but also a tinge of sadness at leaving a familiar place—may bring back nostalgic memories of your own youth.

It’s included on the single Taiyo Knock, released in July 2015.

A refreshing, hope-filled anthem that gently supports hearts swaying with expectation and anxiety at the major milestone of graduation.

GIVE ME FIVE!AKB48

[MV full] GIVE ME FIVE! / AKB48 [Official]

As graduation approaches and countless memories come flooding back, I’d like to recommend AKB48’s “GIVE ME FIVE!” as a song that truly resonates.

It drew attention for featuring the members actually playing instruments.

The music video, full of smiles, brings back fun times with childhood friends and at school, and it can help turn farewells with friends into something you can face positively.

It’s also perfect for karaoke and a great way to reaffirm the bonds with the people you care about.

graduation songwhiteeeen

whiteeeen “Graduation Song” lyric video

Released in 2014 as the sister group to GReeeeN, whiteeeen’s song “Sotsugyo Song” (“Graduation Song”) is, as the title suggests, a track about graduation.

It candidly expresses those inevitable, heart-wrenching feelings—not wanting to part from friends, wishing you could stay together just a little longer.

Many people may have felt that school life was monotonous, with days passing by without much change.

But when graduation comes, you realize those ordinary moments were actually precious.

This song captures those feelings perfectly.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

utatane

Report a problem

Cherry Blossom BookmarkAKB48

[MV full] Sakura no Shiori / AKB48 [Official]

This song, “Sakura no Shiori,” might not be very familiar to people in their teens.

In a good way, it doesn’t feel like a typical idol song; its melody is reminiscent of a children’s song.

Because the melody is simple, the idols’ vocal skills actually come through better than usual.

Pay attention to its simple yet profound, distinctly Japanese sound.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem