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 gratitude (11–20)
We’ll go togetherSnow Man
Graduation season brings the excitement of a new environment along with the sadness of parting from familiar friends.
This song, included on Snow Man’s 10th single released in February 2024, gently accompanies those wavering emotions.
It also drew attention as the theme song for the drama “Sensei, Sayonara,” starring group member Shota Watanabe.
Its warm melody evokes hope even within heartache, and its strong message—let’s keep walking forward together—strikes a chord.
It seems to tell us that even if we’re separated, the time we shared won’t disappear, and we’ll always be friends.
Why not send this song, which gives you the courage to face forward despite anxiety and inner conflict, to a dear friend as a token of gratitude?
1000 daysnozomi
High school life is said to last about 1,000 days, and this song is a fast-paced, exhilarating number that races through those limited days of youth.
Sung by Noashi, a singer-songwriter popular especially among Gen Z, the track was released as a single in April 2025 and was written specifically for the web commercial of the vitamin soda drink MATCH.
It carries a message that celebrates the preciousness of moments that will never return and the unchanging bonds of friendship even after graduation—perfect for the season of partings that warms the heart.
This piece evokes memories of casual exchanges with friends and secrets you shared, filling you with gratitude.
Why not gift it to friends you’ll be parting ways with, as a token of thanks and a cheer for what lies ahead?
All of them are classmates reunionzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
A track by the music unit ZUTOMAYO (Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni.), led by ACA-ne.
It conveys the will to move forward true to oneself without being swayed by the surrounding atmosphere, expressed through distinctive wordplay and a rhythmic sound.
As the title “Reunion” suggests, it evokes a future where we meet again after walking our own paths—a perfect song for graduation season.
Released in June 2021 as a collaboration with the online RPG PSO2: New Genesis, it also drew attention as a Spotify TV commercial song.
The track is included on the album “Nobishigusa Korite Himagoi.” It’s an ideal number for those who want to send positive energy to friends—fighting in our own places even when apart, and someday meeting again with smiles.
MemoriesNiziU
Born from an audition show, NiziU has been captivating the world with their cute dancing and vocals.
Released digitally in February 2024, this track is an emotional pop song that blends the excitement and bittersweetness unique to spring.
It was chosen as the theme song for Universal Studios Japan’s “Uni Spring 2024,” and it was also announced that it will be included on the mini-album AWAKE.
The message—depicting the moment when everyday life with friends, once taken for granted, becomes an irreplaceable treasure at the milestone of graduation—is sure to resonate with students in the same situation.
Believing that bonds won’t fade even when you’re apart, it’s the perfect song to express your gratitude to your cherished friends!
Until the gobies dash to their endzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
A song by the music unit ZUTOMAYO (Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni.), led by ACA-ne.
Released as a digital single in October 2019, its fast-paced, danceable beat and ACA-ne’s wistful yet powerful vocals give you the energy to move forward, even as they hint at partings and endings.
Included on their first full album “Subtle Alien” (S-z-z-z?), the track also drew attention when its music video won the Social Impact Award at the 24th Japan Media Arts Festival.
It’s perfect for a friend to whom you’d rather send a strong push toward the future than dwell on a somber goodbye.
Why not entrust this song with your passionate wish to not only look back on the past but to keep shining on your own paths, even if you’re apart?
Thank youikimonogakari
This is Ikimonogakari’s 18th single, written as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series Gegege no Nyobo.
Released in May 2010, it won an Excellence Award at the 52nd Japan Record Awards.
The lyrics, which tenderly portray the love nurtured in everyday life and gratitude toward those dear to us, resonate deeply.
The warmth conveyed by holding hands and the hope for a shared future are expressed through a gentle melody that warmly embraces listeners.
In the 2013 school year, it was included as a choral piece in high school music textbooks, and it has also become a popular staple for graduation ceremonies.
It may feel a bit embarrassing to put into words, but this song is perfect for conveying thanks to the teachers, friends, and family who have supported you.
Why not sing it to express your honest feelings along with your memories of junior high school life?
A farewell song for a dear friend. A graduation song that conveys feelings of gratitude (21–30)
Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad
It’s a ballad marked by a heartwarming melodic line and lyrics brimming with hope.
Focusing on the intimate relationships My Hair is Bad portrays, the song’s gentle guitar tones and piano lines tenderly accompany the listener.
Carefully weaving the shifting emotions from meeting to parting, it’s a gem that softly embraces a forward-looking spirit for the future.
Released in June 2024, it’s included on the album “ghosts.” It was also chosen as the theme song for the animated film “Crayon Shin-chan: Our Dinosaur Diary,” perfectly matching the film’s world.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when reminiscing about precious times with friends or when striving to face farewells with optimism.
Alongside nostalgic memories, it will give you the courage to take a new step forward.