[2026] A Collection of Youthful Songs to Play at Graduation Ceremonies [J-POP]
A graduation ceremony is a major event that brings your youthful days to a close.
You fought, encouraged each other, shared your dreams… Graduation arrives after all those different days you’ve lived through, doesn’t it? On such an important graduation day, don’t you feel like listening to songs that capture the spirit of youth? In this article, we’ll introduce especially youth-evoking graduation songs—from timeless classics to the latest tracks! We’ll also recommend youth anthems that perfectly fit graduation scenes, so be sure to give a variety of songs a listen.
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[2026] A Collection of Youthful Songs to Hear at Graduation Ceremonies [J-POP] (91–100)
MONDO PIECEUVERworld
UVERworld’s 2011 track “MONDO PIECE” inspires the feeling that we’ll always be friends, even if we’re apart.
Maybe you just happened to meet someone at the same school, in the same class—but by spending so much time together during school life, your bond deepened and that person became a precious friend.
The lyrics convey a strong desire to always stay together with such friends, and the belief that no matter where you are, what truly matters doesn’t change.
It’s also a great song to sing together with your close friends.
C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK
ONE OK ROCK’s songs have gained popularity not only in Japan but overseas as well, and the band has now become one of Japan’s representative rock acts.
This track, included on their fifth album “Zankyo Reference,” is said to be titled after the initials of a friend of the band members.
The lyrics capture the moment you realize that the seemingly endless days of student life are coming to an end, and they tell you that some things won’t change even as you move on to new paths—perhaps a message you can only truly feel after some time has passed since graduation.
It’s a rock tune that colors the milestone of a graduation ceremony, one you’ll want to listen to while savoring the youthful days etched in your heart.
[2026] A Collection of Youthful Songs to Hear at Graduation Ceremonies [J-POP] (101–110)
Gift SongCHiCO with HoneyWorks
A collaboration unit consisting of a female singer and a creator team, CHiCO with HoneyWorks.
This track is included on their second album, “The Songs of i That Color Me,” and its lyrical arrangement—featuring acoustic guitar, piano, and strings—evokes the graduation ceremonies we all picture.
The lyrics, which express gratitude to a beloved teacher, let you feel both the reality of having graduated safely and a profound sense of love.
Friends who ran alongside you through your youth are precious, of course, but this is a graduation song that also reminds you of the teacher who always watched over you with kindness.
If I sing to the sky175R
It’s a positive yet slightly bittersweet song that captures how memories of youth suddenly come flooding back, and how those days enable us to keep moving toward our dreams now.
It also portrays the attempt to send those cherished memories and feelings of gratitude to friends.
This is one of 175R’s signature tracks, known as a coming-of-age anthem that has stayed in the hearts of many listeners.
1096Cody Rī (Ri)
Cody・Lee (Li), a band that exudes a unique blend of wistfulness and warmth woven into everyday life, offers a farewell-themed number.
Written by vocalist and guitarist Hibiki Takahashi in the winter when he dropped out of high school at 18, the lyrics don’t celebrate a radiant youth; instead, they chronicle three “hopeless” years, capturing the feelings of a high schooler in a true-to-life way.
Hailing from Hanamaki City in Iwate Prefecture, Takahashi threads a graduation song whose world is suffused with the quiet beauty of steadily falling snow and a gentle overflow of everyday dignity and love—an atmosphere that’s absolutely irresistible.
Photo of three peopleKiroro
Kiroro is a duo formed by high school classmates, beloved for their heartwarming songs that touch the soul.
“Three-Person Photo,” included on their first album, “Nagais Aida ~Kiroro no Mori~,” leaves a lasting impression with its light yet floating ensemble.
Its message—let’s each go our own way with this new departure, yet keep our bond unchanged—captures the feelings that only a graduation ceremony can evoke.
With clear, powerful vocals that stir the heart, it’s a graduation song especially recommended for women.
graduation ceremonySARD UNDERGROUND
Debuting as a ZARD tribute band, SARD UNDERGROUND has been attracting attention with their covers of timeless classics.
Their fifth single, “Graduation Ceremony,” as the title suggests, features a refreshing melody and ensemble that perfectly suit the graduation season and feel wonderfully pleasant.
The lyrical message, evoking the world of Izumi Sakai’s lyrics, will likely resonate even with younger generations who didn’t know ZARD in real time.
Though a tribute band, their sound reflects a modern evolution that strikes a chord—this is a track we hope listeners of all ages will hear.