Memories Come Flooding Back: Tearjerker Graduation Songs. Moving, Tear-Inducing Ballads [2026]

Sakura, You, and Ituki.

Cherry Blossom, You, Me – SAKURA KIMI WATASHI

A fleeting yet beautiful graduation song that conjures up scenes of cherry blossoms dancing in the spring breeze.

Tuki.’s clear, transparent vocals gently embrace both the sadness of parting and the anticipation of a new beginning.

Released in January 2024, this gem of a ballad sings of nostalgic memories and hope for the future.

It was also featured as an insert song on ABEMA’s dating show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita: Graduation Edition 2024,” moving the hearts of many.

Listen to it at a graduation ceremony or during a springtime farewell, and tears are sure to flow.

Recommended for those who have experienced a farewell with someone dear, or who are about to take a new step.

Let the heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody envelop you, and let your thoughts drift up into the spring sky.

SAKURAikimonogakari

SAKURA – Ikimonogakari (Full)

A heartfelt song that gently wraps the bittersweetness of cherry blossoms in bloom.

Released in 2006 as Ikimono-gakari’s debut single, it quickly drew attention, including through its use in an NTT commercial.

Its light, buoyant melody and warm vocals beautifully capture both the sadness of graduation and the hope of taking a new step forward.

The lyrics, which symbolize the beauty and transience of cherry blossoms, really hit home.

The scenes of farewell that come to mind with each returning spring are sure to resonate with many.

It’s an inspiring piece that feels like a cheer for those starting down a new path—an emotional song you’ll want to hear at graduation ceremonies and during cherry blossom season, warming the heart.

Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//

DISH// – Sweet Daphne [Official Video]

Jinchōge, perfect for the season of new departures, tugs at the heartstrings at graduation ceremonies and thank-you gatherings.

Performed by DISH// with Takumi Kitamura as frontman, this song is a classic that sings of gratitude to loved ones.

Feelings for parents who raised us and thanks to friends who supported us make it deeply moving.

In particular, the warm lyrics by Hattori from Macaroni Enpitsu vividly capture the sadness of parting, making it a must-listen for graduation season.

Its appeal has spread even further after being used as a TV drama theme song.

Be sure to listen to this gentle anthem that gives you the courage to move forward.

GRADUATIONSBACK-ON

GRADUATIONS (Theme song for V-Cinext 'Kamen Rider Gotchard GRADUATIONS')

This is a song that gently encourages you as you say goodbye to close friends and take a step onto a new path.

Holding the memories of precious friends you spent time with, it captures the wavering feelings of young people heading toward their respective futures through an emotional melody and powerful guitar sound.

The track serves as the theme song for “Kamen Rider Gotchard GRADUATIONS,” released by BACK-ON in February 2025, and stands as a supportive anthem that stays close to the major life turning point of graduation.

It blends seamlessly with the worldview of the V-Cinext production, further heightening the work’s emotional impact.

It’s a perfect song for the grand finale of a school or cultural festival and for making memories with friends.

While feeling the importance of friendship and bonds, this song gives you the courage to take your first steps toward the future.

Sakura Clear SkiesYuuri

To You Graduating This Year [Sakura Clear Skies] [First Performance of New Song]

When it comes to graduation songs, many of them express farewells with friends and the anxieties and excitement about the future.

“Sakurabare,” sung by Yuuri, is a moving song that conveys gratitude to the father and mother who raised you, just before graduation.

The song was released digitally in 2021.

Yuuri’s heartfelt, piercing vocals heighten the emotion even more, powerfully gripping your heart.

Even those who usually feel too shy to express their feelings will surely be inspired to thank their parents by this number.

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utatane

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Petals, heralding the beginningsakura shimeji

Sakurashimeji “Petals, Announcing the Beginning” Lyric Video

The folk duo Sakura Shimeji’s “Hanabira, Hajimari o Tsugete” is a graduation song that uses cherry blossoms—also featured in their group name—as its motif.

It’s filled with the mixed feelings of “I don’t want the petals to fall yet, I don’t want to say goodbye,” and a gentle message that softly encourages, “Even so, we have to look forward and move on.” Each beautiful word resonates in the heart, staying close to the loneliness that wells up, and in the end, it just might give you a push to take that first step toward a new journey.

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hiyori

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Goodbye, graduation.haji→

Hajime → Graduation Goodbye.

A graduation-themed song by singer-songwriter Haji→.

The lyrics resonate deeply, fitting not only school graduations but also various farewells and transitions like love, job hunting, and changing careers.

The message—“It’s lonely, but let’s smile and each move forward on our new paths”—strikes a straightforward chord of sympathy.

Being apart and walking a different road alone can be scary and make you feel isolated.

Even so, this is a cheer song that encourages you to face forward, believing you’ll meet again.

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hiyori

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