[2026] Songs for Graduation Season: Exquisite Japanese Unrequited Love and Breakup Tracks
When graduation season approaches, don’t you ever find yourself wanting to listen to bittersweet love songs? Unspoken feelings, the ache in your chest as a farewell draws near.
It’s precisely in this season that classic Japanese songs that embrace those emotions resonate deeply in the heart.
Songs about the sorrow of parting ways while still in unrequited love, or saying goodbye to someone precious, take on a special resonance as they overlap with each listener’s own memories.
In this article, we’ve gathered a wide range of exquisite love songs perfect for graduation season—from the Showa era to Heisei and the latest Reiwa hits.
Whether you want to relive the feelings of that time or are right now burning with emotion, take your time and immerse yourself to your heart’s content!
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[2026] Songs to Hear in Graduation Season! Exquisite Japanese Unrequited Love Songs & Breakup Songs (31–40)
KanadeSukima Suichi
Sukima Switch’s “Kanade” is a masterpiece that has been covered by a variety of singers, idols, and actors.
Its lyrics, which express the enduring feelings of cherishing someone no matter how far apart you are, never lose their luster and will continue to move us forever.
It is a classic ballad.
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
The singable style of punk known by the nickname “melocore” is called melodic hardcore.
A famous example from Japan’s melocore scene is MONGOL800’s ‘Chiisana Koi no Uta’ (A Little Love Song).
The lyrics are wonderful, expressing straightforward feelings for someone you love in plain, unadorned words.
Another highlight is the simple sound built from vocals, guitar, bass, and drums.
If you can play an instrument, performing this song to convey your feelings to someone special might be a great idea.
GarnetOku Hanako
There are many songs that express the bittersweet feeling of unrequited love, but this one, which shines a spotlight on romance in school life, might be impossible to listen to without tears.
Oku Hanako’s “Garnet” was released in 2006 as her fourth single and became a hit as the theme song for the animated film The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
If you’ve ever experienced unrequited love, you’ll surely recognize scenes that feel like your own, and the lyrics—so easy to relate to—will tighten your chest with emotion.
periodIshizaki Hyuui
This song begins with a scene that feels like reminiscing about an old love.
Huwie Ishizaki’s “Period” is a sad love song that expresses the helpless, aching feeling of being unable to forget a romance that has ended but still lingers.
Some of you may be suffering from a love you know will never come true, even if it’s a current crush.
Many will find themselves in tears, empathizing with these feelings as you face the end of that love and look ahead.
The music video features Masaki Suda, and it’s a must-watch—deeply moving and sure to stir your heart.
Anemone nikoensis (Ichirin-sō)Yamamoto Aya
Sayaka Yamamoto, who was a leading member of AKB48 and NMB48, shines in this solo track Ichirinso, one of her signature songs.
Her cool vocals—refreshingly un-idol-like in a good way—leave a strong impression.
She also carries a vibe similar to Shizuka Kudo from Onyanko Club.
The melody is crafted as a ballad with a bright tone.
[2026] Songs for Graduation Season: Exquisite Japanese Unrequited Love and Breakup Tracks (41–50)
Sakura Lovemosao.
There must be quite a few people who couldn’t confess their feelings before graduation.
The reasons vary—maybe the other person already likes someone, or you just didn’t have the courage—but those unresolved feelings are probably still swirling in your heart.
Mosawo’s “Sakura Koi” is the perfect song for emotions like these.
The unspoken feelings and the situation of not being able to meet anymore deeply resonate with those who graduated while still in unrequited love.
If this song brings you to tears, it might actually be a good opportunity to sort out your feelings.
Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya
This song overlays the bittersweetness of unrequited love with the cherry blossom season.
Takaya Kawasaki’s husky voice beautifully captures the delicate feelings of a protagonist who can’t bring themselves to confess their love.
It brings back memories of school days and the complex emotions that well up before graduation.
Kawasaki is said to have woven his own high school experiences into the lyrics of this piece.
It’s a love song that gently encourages those who want to express their feelings—recommended not only for high school students approaching graduation, but also for anyone standing at a turning point in life.