[Farewell] A selection of moving, tear-jerking Japanese songs recommended for graduation ceremonies

Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu

Yuzu “Friend ~The Time of Departure~”

The hardest part of graduation season is saying goodbye to the close friends you’ve made, isn’t it? When you think back on the tough club practices and the days you got through entrance exam study together, your chest tightens with emotion.

A song I recommend that gathers those precious memories into one album is “Yū ~Tabidachi no Toki~” by Yuzu.

Its lyrics are filled with gratitude for the past and a message that we’ll stay friends from here on out, making it a perfect track for a graduation movie’s BGM.

With this song, all those dazzling memories will keep your bond with your friends connected forever.

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Kado(guchi) Shichigatsu

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Horse and deerYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Horse and Deer

Kenshi Yonezu’s “Uma to Shika” (“Horse and Deer”) brings back memories of those days when, clumsy as we were, we hung on and gave it everything we had.

Released in 2019, the song was chosen as the theme for the drama No Side Game.

It reminds us of the days we ran with all our might, joining forces with our teammates.

This song makes those everyday moments feel so precious.

Let it help you look back on your memories so far, and turn them into strength to move forward tomorrow.

Its emotional music is sure to grace the graduation ceremony’s send-off like a path of flowers.

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SAKI

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rainbowTakahashi Yuu

Yuu Takahashi “Niji (Rainbow)” MV – YouTube Limited Edit Version

Yu Takahashi’s “Niji” brings tears as it recalls the days of hard work.

Released in 2017 as a double A-side single together with “Simple,” the song was chosen that year as the ABC Summer High School Baseball support song and the opening theme for “Netto Koshien.” Its lyrics say that even the smallest steps forward each day will lead you to a wonderful future.

The song evokes memories of enduring tough practices and games, and it inspires you to keep steadily doing your best in the days ahead as well.

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SAKI

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Me for youBEGIN

BEGIN / Mee Faai Yu

This song, brimming with BEGIN’s warmth, conveys a heartfelt “thank you” to someone embarking on a new journey.

Titled in the Yaeyama dialect, it rides on the gentle tones of the sanshin, delivering gratitude and cheers for the future that resonate directly with the heart.

Concrete imagery—like the road to the airport—captures the bittersweetness of parting while also portraying the bright, celebratory feeling of a send-off.

Released as a single in February 2007, the track movingly colored the story as the theme song for the film “Koishikute.” It is also included on the album “OKINAWAN FULL ORCHESTRA.” Perfect for moments of farewell—such as graduations or job transfers—it expresses feelings that are hard to put into words.

An ideal song for sharing warmth at just the right moment.

Friend ShipHoshino Gen

Friend Ship

This is a gentle song that tenderly embraces the warm feelings of parting from and reuniting with someone important, and the hope of meeting again.

Gen Hoshino’s heartfelt vocals and the warm melody evoke the beauty of precious memories and bonds with friends.

Included on the album “YELLOW DANCER,” the track was written as the theme song for the film “Moriyamachu Driving School” and was also used in NTT Docomo’s “Docomo no Long Gakuwari” commercial.

During the “Continues” tour in September 2017, it was performed with passion at Saitama Super Arena.

It’s a heartwarming piece to listen to when you’re thinking of a dear friend you’ve been separated from, or when you’ve made plans to see each other again after a long time.