Memories Come Flooding Back: Tearjerker Graduation Songs. Moving, Tear-Inducing Ballads [2026]
As graduation approaches, there are moments when your chest suddenly tightens, aren’t there? The days spent in the classroom, the friends you laughed with, and the mix of anxiety and hope as you step onto a new path.
Perhaps it’s the power of tear-jerking graduation songs that gently embraces those complicated feelings.
In this article, we’ve gathered moving songs perfect for graduation season—from the latest hits of the Reiwa era to timeless classics passed down across generations.
Each song is one that will bring back memories the moment you listen and naturally bring tears to your eyes.
As you face farewells with those dear to you, you’re sure to find a song that stays close to your heart.
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[Memories Come Flooding Back] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs. Moving Tearjerkers [2026] (61–70)
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
This “Graduation Song, Friends’ Song” is a track whose lyrics strongly evoke the quintessential graduation song.
The melody is catchy pop, yet it’s arranged with a rather grand feel.
The lyrics express gratitude before parting ways.
It’s a wonderful song you’d want to dedicate to your cherished friends.
Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi
This song is from the time when Yumi Matsutoya was active under the name Yumi Arai.
Released in 1975, it became a major hit and has continued to be listened to as a classic graduation song ever since.
It’s also a number that has been covered by many famous artists.
It stands as a monumental graduation song that floods you with the bittersweetness of youth, the fleeting nature of graduation, and the poignancy of days gone by.
The perspective of looking back after graduation is especially moving—simple, yet a graduation song that can bring anyone to tears.
Don’t bloom.WHITE JAM
WHITE JAM, the vocal group whose chalkboard-art music video went viral, released “Sakanaide.” Once you listen to the song, I’m sure the meaning behind this suggestive title will become clear.
The emotional vocals are a highlight, and listening to this track during graduation season will give you a special feeling.
bookmarkkuriipuhaipe
When we reach the milestone of graduation, there comes a moment when our hearts are stirred by a flood of emotions.
A song that gently embraces that fleeting instant is “Shiori” by CreepHyp.
Perfect as a backdrop to graduation ceremonies, this track captures the sorrow of parting with an exhilarating, fast-paced melody, and it also served as a campaign song by FM802 and TSUTAYA.
The lyrics penned by Seikaikan Ozaki affirm graduation as an ending and give us the courage to embark on a new beginning.
Having reached No.
4 on the Oricon album chart, its appeal is something you should experience for yourself.
In this season of poignant farewells, “Shiori” will stay close to your heart and warm it.
Words of FarewellKaientai
Released in 1979, Kaientai’s “Okuru Kotoba” became a million seller and a beloved national song after it was used as the theme for the hugely popular drama Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3B.
Since it was a school drama, the song has been a graduation standard from the time it became a hit right up to today.
Even people who don’t know who sings it will recognize it as soon as they hear it—it’s that famous.
It’s an emotionally moving song whose lyrics make you think, “What a truly good song,” no matter how many times you listen, and it’s easy to see why it continues to be sung and cherished.
graduation songwhiteeeen
Whiteeeen, who debuted as the “little sister” group of GReeeeN and now performs under the name Days no mo, included this song, “Graduation Song,” on their 2016 mini-album Koe (Voice).
Just as the title suggests, it’s a graduation-themed song, and as you’d expect from GReeeeN’s sister group, it carries a distinct GReeeeN flavor.
With lyrics that hit straight to the heart, it’s a moving graduation song that will surely touch you—and may even bring tears as you relate it to your own experiences.
GraduationKobukuro
With a straightforward, quintessential graduation-song title, “Sotsugyo” is Kobukuro’s 31st single, released in 2020.
Some people may feel that graduating doesn’t quite feel real yet, but when you listen to this song, the reality hits home—you can truly feel it, can’t you? Your school life and memories since enrollment will likely flash before your eyes like a revolving lantern.
When you realize that the ordinary days were actually irreplaceable, you’ll surely be moved to tears—maybe even cry your eyes out.