[2026] A Collection of Graduation Songs Recommended for Gen Z [A Page of Youth]

Take a pictureNiziU

NiziU(니쥬) 2nd Single 『Take a picture』 MV

Graduation season brings a sudden surge of chances to take photos with friends and partners.

Seeing smiles and scenery through the lens often makes you want to preserve that moment forever.

Bright dance tracks by NiziU are perfect companions for those tender yet warm feelings.

The title track of their single released in April 2021 is also included on the album “U,” and it drew attention as a Coca-Cola commercial song.

The lyrics overflow with a message to treasure this irreplaceable moment and etch it into your heart.

Even if graduation separates you, looking back at the photos will always bring back the sparkle of that time.

When you’re capturing memories with someone special, play this song and snap the perfect shot!

SignalWANIMA

WANIMA “Signal” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

It’s okay to be unfinished—let’s line up shoulder to shoulder and start running.

With that straightforward message that hits you right in the heart, this WANIMA song is one I’d love people at a turning point to hear.

Released in January 2018 on their major-label first full album “Everybody!!,” it was written specifically for NHK General’s large-scale project “18-sai Matsuri (18 Fes).” Born from the special experience of building a stage together with 1,000 eighteen-year-olds gathered from across Japan, the song vividly portrays the feelings of young people facing anxiety and uncertainty about the future, while its lyrics give you the courage to move forward.

It was also used in Lotte’s “Sou” commercial, reaching many people alongside a spot featuring Suzu Hirose.

At the milestone of graduation, it will gently nudge those who want to take a step forward in their own way.

Graduation Song ~Let Me Say Thank You Over and Over~GReeeeN

Sotsugyounouta Arigatouha Nanndomo Iwasete

GReeeeN’s song skillfully captures the complex emotions felt at the milestone of graduation.

The lyrics weave together the sadness of parting, the resolve to embark on a new journey, and a sense of gratitude, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in March 2014, the track was also featured in a TV commercial for AOKI.

It’s a GReeeeN-style graduation song that blends a pop sound with moving lyrics.

It’s a piece you’ll want to listen to not only during graduation season but at various turning points in life.

It’s also recommended as a motivational song that gives you the courage to take a new step forward.

Until graduationBoku ga mitakatta aozora

The Blue Sky I Wanted to See / “Until Graduation” Music Video

This is the title track of the second single released in January 2024 by Boku ga Mitakatta Aozora, a group formed as the official rival to Nogizaka46.

The song portrays the bittersweet passage of time for a high school girl on the verge of graduation, unable to confess the feelings of her first, long‑harbored love.

Its lyrics are sprinkled with motifs like cherry blossoms and graduation ceremonies, and the classic, medium-tempo ballad pop sound resonates deeply.

This release marks the group’s first use of a selection system, featuring vocals by 12 members of the Aozora unit.

It was also chosen as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Sorette!? Jissai Dōnano ka.” The single debuted at No.

2 on the Oricon weekly singles chart, signaling the group’s growth.

It’s a perfect song for anyone who has ever faced a farewell day without being able to confess their feelings, carrying a sweet–and–sour memory.

Loved oneFOMARE

FOMARE “The One I Love” Official Music Video

This song by FOMARE, a rock band from Takasaki, Gunma, channels their overflowing feelings for the places and people they love in a straightforward way.

With a driving band sound, it powerfully sings of the preciousness of everyday life we once took for granted and of bonds that remain unchanged even when we’re apart.

Released in June 2021 and later placed as the opening track on the album “midori,” the song also drew attention as the CM song for Universal Studios Japan’s “Uniharu 2022.” It’s a perfect track for graduates who want to express gratitude to friends, teammates, and the places that supported them.

As listeners leave their familiar days behind and step into a new world, the song offers a warm cheer to gently push them forward.

Dear,Snow Man

Dear,

A moving song from Snow Man, the now nationally beloved idol group known for their acrobatic dance and diverse personalities.

Included on their first best-of album, THE BEST 2020‑2025, released in January 2025, it’s a warm medium-tempo ballad that expresses gratitude to fans on their fifth anniversary.

The gentle piano and strings that seem to wrap you in a hug make it perfect for Instagram Stories that look back on memories with mentors and friends.

Centered on the themes of overflowing love and bonds, this track can convey your appreciation even more deeply when played over a simple slideshow of everyday photos.

It’s a number you’ll want to add as a message to someone special, one that leaves warmth rather than sadness during the season of farewells.

Time-Limited Unrequited LoveNogizaka 46

Nogizaka46 'Time-Limited Unrequited Love'

The first original song for Nogizaka46’s 6th generation, included on Type-B of the 38th single “Navel Orange.” The music video, released in March 2025, leaves a striking impression with dance scenes set against Hokkaido’s snowy landscapes and atop a frozen lake.

Set in a school classroom, the song portrays the anxious feelings of unspoken emotions as deadlines like graduation and class changes approach.

Many will relate to the usually reserved protagonist who realizes time is running out and tries to take a step forward.

The fresh vocals and driving melody give a powerful push to anyone hesitating.

It’s recommended not only for women experiencing unrequited love, but also for those who need courage to dive into a new environment.