A farewell song for a dear friend—an uplifting graduation song that conveys heartfelt gratitude.
Graduation season is exciting as you set off for a new environment, but it also leaves you feeling a bit sentimental about parting with friends.
Even though you know in your head that graduation doesn’t mean saying goodbye forever, it’s natural to feel lonely or anxious.
In this article, we introduce songs that capture the many feelings you have for the friends you’ve always shared fun times with.
We’ve gathered plenty of heartfelt graduation friendship songs that are perfect for telling your friends, “We’ll always be friends even if we’re apart,” and for expressing your gratitude for everything up to now.
Be sure to find your favorite track and send it to your friends.
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A farewell song to give to a dear friend. A graduation song that conveys feelings of gratitude (71–80)
Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu
This song beautifully portrays the importance of friendship and the fleeting nature of youth.
Released in March 2019, it was created by Hattori, the vocalist of Macaroni Empitsu.
Finding value in the boredom and seemingly worthless moments that young people experience, and celebrating the act of holding those moments dear, the song was also used in McDonald’s “These moments are the real treat” commercial.
It’s included on the album “season,” and its music video featuring Nana Mori drew significant attention.
It’s a perfect track for conveying memories to friends—especially for farewells with dear friends or graduation scenes.
Love SongGReeeeN
A heartwarming message song that captures pure gratitude toward someone.
The lyrics, which express feelings for the other person with frank honesty, and the melody wrapped in gentleness resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in May 2007, the song was featured as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Uta Sta!!” and Fuji TV’s “Ken Shimura no Daijoubu Da II,” and was also used in commercials for Hoyu’s “Beauteen.” Singing of a love that deepens over time, this track is recommended as a gift for special occasions when you want to say thank you—such as graduations, weddings, and birthdays.
Tsubasaandāgurafu
When you feel like your heart is about to break from the sadness of parting with friends, I want you to listen to Under Graph’s “Tsubasa.” “Tsubasa” was their debut single, and once it started playing on the radio, word of mouth spread quickly and it became a big hit.
There are many appealing elements—impassioned vocals, a dry-edged sound—but what I especially want to highlight is the structure of the lyrics.
The song opens with a farewell scene and goes on to portray the longing for friends after graduation.
That’s why it’s a masterpiece you can keep empathizing with long after you graduate.
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
A song by the folk duo 19, who disbanded in 2002.
The message—that the casual moments we didn’t know what to do with in our youth were actually irreplaceable when they came to an end—is something many soon-to-be graduates can deeply relate to, isn’t it? It’s a number that conveys unwavering friendship, believing in and cheering on the future of the friends with whom you shared those ordinary times.
Song of DepartureMr.Children
Mr.Children’s “Tabidachi no Uta” is a song perfectly suited to the important milestone of graduation.
It served as the theme song for the film “Koizora” and was also used in NTT East’s corporate commercials.
Alongside the film’s backdrop, it inspires hope for the future rather than dwelling on the sadness of parting.
The lyrics express gratitude for encounters and convey a message that celebrates a new departure rather than a farewell.
It’s a song that connects a lifelong bond of friendship not by distance, but by heart.
This moving track—perfect for expressing support and affection for friends—is loved by many generations.
Even when far apart, its powerful message of wishing happiness for friends resonates as a heartfelt ballad.
Best FriendKiroro
A song in which Kiroro’s vocalist, Chiharu Tamashiro, sings her gratitude to her ever-supportive piano partner, Ayano Kinjo.
Chosen as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Churasan,” it’s one of Kiroro’s graduation songs.
A friend who stayed by your side during hard times and lifted you up with a gentle smile—this is the perfect song to gift to such a friend, filled with gratitude for always being there.
Ayano Kinjo’s tender piano and Chiharu Tamashiro’s vocals gently wrap around the bond of friendship.
OrangeSPYAIR
A song that captivates many with its heartwarming message and moving melody.
It was released in February 2024 as the theme song for Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle (theatrical film).
Centered on encounters, bonds, and farewells within limited time, it conveys the importance of not saying goodbye, holding on to the hope of meeting again, and continuing to move forward while carrying big dreams.
Depicting figures soaring through an orange sky, it sings of the beauty of cherishing each fleeting moment.
It’s a song that encourages those stepping into new environments, such as graduates or students retiring from their club activities.