[2026] Songs for Graduation Season: Exquisite Japanese Unrequited Love and Breakup Tracks

Unrequited loveGENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE

GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE / Unrequited Love

There’s something special about unrequited love during our school days, isn’t there? GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE’s song beautifully captures those bittersweet feelings.

Released in November 2013, this track sings about a pure kind of love—how just seeing the person you like looking down can make your whole day feel dull.

You try to strike up a conversation to hear their thoughts about a movie, but can’t find anything more to say… Anyone who’s experienced a one-sided crush will feel that frustration all too well.

It’s a highly recommended song for those who want to savor the sweetness and sadness of unrequited love.

365 daysMr.Children

Mr.Children “365 Days” Mr.Children TOUR POPSAURUS 2012

Mr.Children’s “365 Days” is loved by people of all ages.

The song is well known from commercials, and despite never being released as a single, it remains hugely popular among fans.

For those who feel things like “I know it myself, but there’s nothing I can do” or “Waves of love keep rushing over me,” it’s a track you can’t help but relate to.

If you’re worried that graduation might separate you from someone you like before you can confess your feelings, this song is sure to strike a chord.

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utatane

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CorrectRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – The Answer [Official Music Video]

RADWIMPS delivers a tender melody with a profound message that resonates deeply during graduation season.

The warm soundscape woven by piano tones and a student choir gently embraces moments of looking back on youthful days.

The lyrics, which depict the search for the right answers in life and the journey to find one’s true self, strike a universal chord that anyone can relate to.

Released for streaming in January 2024 and followed by a limited-production CD in February, this work was born from encounters with the younger generation and takes on a new challenge by incorporating a student choir.

It is a heartwarming song that stands beside young people leaving their schools and those facing turning points in life.

graduation ceremonySARD UNDERGROUND

SARD UNDERGROUND “Graduation Ceremony” MV

SARD UNDERGROUND is a three-piece band that debuted as a ZARD tribute act, gaining attention for their covers of classic hits.

Their 5th single, “Sotsugyoushiki” (“Graduation Ceremony”), true to its title, features a refreshing melody and ensemble perfect for the graduation season.

Its lyrical message, evoking the world of Izumi Sakai’s lyrics, is likely to resonate even with today’s younger generation who didn’t experience ZARD in real time.

While a tribute band, their sound reflects a modern evolution that strikes a chord, making it a track listeners of all ages should hear.

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Hoshino Takashi

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We againSG

Us, Again – SG (Official Lyric Video)

When it comes to songs you want to hear during cherry blossom season in full bloom, this is the one! Sung by SG, this heartwarming track centers on the themes of parting and reunion.

It carries messages that support life’s turning points—like graduation or changing jobs—and resonates deeply with listeners.

It was also featured in a Calorie Mate commercial cheering on exam-takers, and a wind ensemble version was released digitally in November 2024.

The lyrics are memorable, reflecting on past memories while inspiring hope for the future.

It’s the perfect song to play at graduations or during farewells with friends.

Listen to it while viewing the spring blossoms, and it’s sure to warm your heart.

Hey,SHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Hey,”

The refreshing rock number “Nee,” so characteristic of SHISHAMO, is truly a song about unrequited love.

It captures the feelings of a girl who wants to confess, and you can really feel how hopelessly she’s in love! Confessing is something you do for yourself.

I bet many people were struck by those lyrics.

Feelings that go unspoken won’t be noticed—so you have to find the courage to say them.

When you want to confess but can’t find the courage, listen to this song and let it give you strength.

Take that step for your own happiness—cheering you on!

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sasashina

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Melancholy Cherry Blossomsatarayo

Atarayo – Sorrowful Sakura (Music Video)

Choosing the right song for a graduation ceremony—a celebration of a new beginning—is never easy.

Among the songs that can truly move people, I’d like to recommend “Urei Zakura” by Atarayo.

This ballad resonates with lyrics that depict parting and hope amid fluttering cherry blossoms.

Its message and sound arrangement evoke a poignant yet forward-looking energy.

It’s the perfect song to color the important day of “graduation” in one’s life.