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.

Playlist

Memories Come Flooding Back: Tearjerker Graduation Songs. Moving, Tear-Inducing Ballads [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		An inspiring song that sings of life's beauty and harshness.
2	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		A graduation song that sings about the haze in one’s heart during the spring season
3	On the Day of DepartureGasshou Kyoku		A moving graduation song that touches the heart
4	my graduationSPEED		SPEED’s “WHITE LOVE”: a classic youth-and-farewell anthem
5	Lingering Snowiruka		A classic song that sings of a dolphin’s springtime farewell
6	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		NHK morning drama theme song “365-Day Paper Airplane”
7	Sakura: To You Who Couldn’t GraduateHanzaki Yoshiko		Yoshiko Hanzaki’s moving ballad, a song of friendship and life
8	Sakura, Bloom!arashi		Arashi’s “Sakura Sake” is a spring cheer song.
9	Born on this planetGasshou Kyoku		A moving song that sings of the preciousness of life and hope
10	While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki		A moving classic ballad that portrays the departure into youth
11	March 9Remioromen		A masterpiece that expresses the emotions of graduation and parting
12	When the fleabanes bloomNogizaka 46		Nogizaka46’s famous song that sings of springtime farewells and new departures
13	To the futureKiroro		Graduation song, an anthem cheering for farewells and new departures
14	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		A moving song that sings of embarking on a new life and the resolve that comes with it
15	Letter ~Dear fifteen-year-old you~Anjura Aki		A song for fifteen-year-olds, encouraging troubled hearts to move forward
16	Cherry blossom seasonEXILE ATSUSHI		A heartwarming song that supports graduation
17	best friendSG		A moving, heartfelt ballad that portrays the bonds of friendship
18	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		A moving song that conveys the meaning of graduation
19	CorrectRADWIMPS		A coming-of-age anthem for the 18-year-old generation, searching for answers
20	Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46		Singing of the bittersweet feeling of graduation and of love in the season of cherry blossoms
21	Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN		Song of friendship, even when apart our hearts remain connected
22	Like a flower that blooms in the fieldGACKT		A Song of Courage for Dreams, Dedicated to Graduates
23	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s classic hit “Kiseki,” a song of youth
24	Goodbye Memoriessupercell		A classic song that portrays the bittersweetness and courage of youth
25	Song of ThanksV6		A youthful song by V6 singing of gratitude, resonating in the heart
26	treasurewacci		An inspiring song that encourages the courage to pursue your dreams
27	KanadeSukima Suichi		A poignant ballad that portrays parting and hope
28	Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa		A classic rock band song that portrays the passion and bonds of youth
29	Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi		A poignant song depicting the bonds with a friend and a farewell
30	Embrace the presentsatō moka		A wistful song that embraces the present at graduation
31	On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai		The moving classic for graduation ceremonies, 'On the Day of Departure'
32	footprint(s)Little Glee Monster		A song of courage whose moving vocals shake the heart
33	Spring comes, and we become a little more grown-up again.sanmyu~		Somumyū's youthful farewell song
34	I Touched an Angel!Hōkago Tī Taimu		The moving graduation song from K-On!!
35	Loved oneFOMARE		An emotional graduation song by the Gunma band FOMARE
36	Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad		A song that expresses gratitude to friends and a positive outlook
37	Bye, my friendbokula.		The bittersweetness of youth, bokula.’s masterpiece
38	Sakura rollFunatsu Mahiro		A masterpiece that sings of memories like cherry blossoms in spring
39	See you again.kawanishi natsuki		Kawanishi from Nara sings a song of his hometown.
40	Waiting for flowersKihara Rui		A ballad imbued with Atsu Mizuno’s wish for a reunion
41	YELLikimonogakari		An inspiring classic that colors the season of graduation
42	proofflumpool		flumpool’s graduation song “Akashi” sings about friendship and memories.
43	Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu		A moving song after the Great East Japan Earthquake: a song of friendship and bonds
44	Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		The moving song 'Arigatou' by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS
45	Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster		Cheering on those who strive, supporting students in their youth
46	The happiest treasuresutopuri		An inspiring graduation season anthem
47	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)GReeeeN		A song of courage and hope for walking the path of life
48	HarukaYOASOBI		Haruka, YOASOBI's sixth single
49	Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s “Sakura,” a classic graduation song
50	Full of memoriesH₂O		Full of memories, a masterpiece that resonates in the heart
51	horizonback number		A song of graduation memories and forward-looking hopes
52	C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK		A moving rock ballad that portrays the emotions of friendship and farewell
53	Not hereNogizaka 46		Nogizaka46, Asuka Saito’s center song makes you feel her graduation.
54	A graduation song, a song of friends.19		An inspiring song that celebrates graduation and friendship
55	Cherry Blossom Rainabsorb		A moving graduation song with touching lyrics, Sakura no Ame
56	My friend — from here on out, forever…Ketsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s friendship song, with moving lyrics
57	Don’t bloom.WHITE JAM		Graduation song “Sakanai” from the chalkboard art music video
58	Gift SongCHiCO with HoneyWorks		CHiCO and HoneyWorks’ graduation song “Okuru Uta” (A Song as a Gift)
59	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		EXILE’s moving graduation song, vocals that resonate with the heart
60	Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster		A youthful song by Little Glee Monster brimming with vocal prowess
61	Best FriendKiroro		“Best Friend,” a classic graduation song about friendship and farewell.
62	The season of farewellSHISHAMO		An inspiring coming-of-age song that captures the feelings of graduation
63	Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi		A famous graduation song by Yumi Matsutoya
64	1096Cody Rī (Ri)		A moving song filled with anxiety and gratitude for graduation: “1096”
65	graduation songwhiteeeen		The graduation song by Days no mo is moving.
66	To the days without a nameyama		A moving song that touches the heart without depicting graduation directly.
67	JourneyFuji Kaze		Fujii Kaze’s “Tabiji” is a deeply moving song that stirs the heart.
68	Words of FarewellKaientai		Mr. Kinpachi's theme song, a classic graduation song
69	Graduation DaySasuke		Sasuke’s graduation song “Graduation Day” resonates with the heart.
70	Dear Sir or Madam, on this day when cherry blossoms fluttermafumafu		A poignant song depicting springtime farewells and new encounters
71	bookmarkkuriipuhaipe		The classic song 'Shiori' that gently embraces the farewell of graduation
72	Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro		A song by Motohiro Hata that sings of the anxieties of graduation and the emotion of parting
73	Sky-blue DaysSHISHAMO		A SHISHAMO classic that portrays the anxieties of graduation and parting
74	cherry blossomKobukuro		A life as fleeting yet beautiful as a cherry blossom tree
75	Homeward Road in MarchHirai Dai		Graduation season: a heartwarming ballad by Dai Hirai
76	spring skySuzuki Suzuki		A timeless, heart-touching song that sings of graduation memories
77	Kitearashi		A graduation song of dreams and hope, the moving emotion of Arashi
78	Graduation Elegy3B LAB.☆S		An up-tempo graduation song by 3B LAB.☆
79	GraduationKobukuro		Kobukuro’s graduation song resonates with the heart.
80	Tomoë GakuenFukuyama Masaharu		A graduation song depicting Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s alma mater
81	Sakura AleAdachi Kana		Memories with friends and the bittersweet feelings of graduation
82	We againSG		Speak of memories and hope with the graduation song “Bokura Mata” (“We, Again”).
83	sentimentalculenasm		A guitar piece that beautifully portrays the past and regret
84	Last SongOfisharu Higedan Dism		A Song of Farewell at Graduation and a New Beginning
85	Sakura, You, and Ituki.		A heartfelt graduation song that portrays springtime farewells and hope.
86	SAKURAikimonogakari		A moving song that portrays the bittersweet feeling of parting with the cherry blossoms
87	Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//		An inspiring cheer song that moves hearts during graduation season
88	GRADUATIONSBACK-ON		A graduation song that sings of friendship and the courage to face the future
89	Sakura Clear SkiesYuuri		Yuri’s moving song thanking her parents for her graduation
90	Petals, heralding the beginningsakura shimeji		A graduation song with a cherry blossom motif, singing of parting and moving forward
91	Goodbye, graduation.haji→		A moving song that sings of the anxieties and hopes of graduation
92	GraduationOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s message of youth, expressing a longing for freedom
93	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		A classic of youth and memories, painted with a gentle singing voice
94	oneselfTani Yuuki		A song that sings of youthful hopes and memories of graduation
95	Until graduationBoku ga mitakatta aozora		A bittersweet first love of youth, capturing the emotions before graduation
96	Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya		A bittersweet song of unrequited love in the season when cherry blossoms dance
97	Until we meet againHirai Dai		Hirai Dai’s ballad, a song of farewell and hope
98	Blue in the classroomHoshimachi Suisei		A heartwarming song that portrays the radiance of youth and the bonds of friendship
99	Sakura MelodyMakihara Noriyuki		Makihara Noriyuki’s gentle singing voice that resonates in the heart like cherry blossoms
100	spring sunlightKanapu × Kujira		An inspiring song that portrays springtime farewells and the hope of a new life
101	Song of DepartureMr.Children		A timeless song that resonates with the heart and embraces anxiety
102	It’s goodbye, but it’s not goodbye.yamadakatsutenai Wink		A classic spring song, a moving tune that accompanies the graduation season