[2026] A Collection of Youthful Songs to Play at Graduation Ceremonies [J-POP]

classmateKALMA

KALMA – Classmate (Music Video)

A track from 2019 by KALMA packed with youthful memories.

This three-piece rock band from Hokkaido delivers a graduation song that shines with sweetness and poignancy.

The lyrics resonate as they weave together nostalgia for days gone by and hope for a new life.

Their passion—shaped by performing at the music festival JOIN ALIVE while still in high school—comes through in the song.

It’s sure to hype up any graduation ceremony or farewell party.

A must-listen for anyone facing a goodbye or taking a new step forward.

Let this song mark the beginning of the next chapter in your life.

Best Friend EverNCT DREAM

NCT DREAM 엔시티 드림 ‘Best Friend Ever’ MV

A youth song by NCT DREAM, a sub-unit of NCT formed by members of various nationalities.

Because it’s sung in Japanese, it comes straight to your ears.

The bittersweet lyrics, which seem to depict the time spent with dear friends through both fun and difficult moments, truly resonate.

The message that precious bonds remain unchanged even when you’re apart is gently delivered through warm vocals, making this a song that gives you strength as you graduate and spread your wings toward the future.

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hiyori

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ReunionRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS Reunion

A song by the rock band RADWIMPS, who have gained popularity for lyrics woven with original phrases and a high-quality rock sound.

Included on their seventh album, “X to O to Tsumi to,” it’s a track with a comfortably laid-back shuffle beat.

The lyrics sing of presences and feelings that can’t be expressed with clichéd words, portraying the complex mindset that, due to youth, can come off a bit stiff or guarded.

It’s a graduation song that, at the life turning point of a commencement ceremony, helps you realize what truly matters as you look back on your youth.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Sky-blue DaysSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Sky-Blue Days”

A song by SHISHAMO loved by many students as a graduation anthem.

Released in March 2018, it was also featured in a commercial for Asahi Soft Drinks’ Calpis Water.

Along with its refreshing melody, the lyrics depicting the final days of student life really resonate.

Even the scary teacher or the classmate you didn’t like start to look different as graduation approaches—the song beautifully captures that emotional shift.

It’s a perfect track not only for students about to graduate but also for anyone feeling nostalgic about their school days.

It’s easy to sing at karaoke, making it great for creating graduation memories with friends.

Goodbye Memoriessupercell

[Supercell] Sayonara Memories | Goodbye Memories [HD/HQ] [ENG/ROMAJI]

Supercell’s February 2010 release paints a picture of bittersweet memories and a future filled with hope.

Set in the cherry blossom–strewn graduation season, it delicately captures the feelings of a protagonist who couldn’t put their emotions into words.

Marked by an evocative piano tone, the song reached No.

7 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

The music video features Ryoya Hizawa (guitar), Tatsuhiro Endo (bass), Yutaka Watanabe (drums), and Jun Imai (piano).

It’s a perfect track for anyone cherishing youthful memories while taking a new step forward, and it’s also recommended as background music for graduations and memory-making moments.

Good Bye,Good LuckTOTALFAT

TOTALFAT　『Good Bye, Good Luck』（Short ver.）

TOTALFAT’s graduation song powerfully captures both farewell and a bold first step forward.

It’s one of those youth anthems you want to hear at a graduation ceremony.

The lyrics, filled with gratitude for the days gone by and hope for the future, resonate deeply.

Released in January 2012, the song was used as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime Naruto (Youth Arc).

Its driving melody and warm message are sure to gently push graduates onward.

It’s a track that gives you the courage to set out on a new path with memories of cherished friends in your heart—perfect as background music for graduation ceremonies or for making lasting memories.

GraduationZONE

ZONE “Graduation” Official Music Video

This heartwarming number by ZONE brilliantly colors a graduation day filled with memories and hope.

Released in February 2004, the song was unveiled as the lead single from the album “N.” It portrays memories overflowing in a once-cramped classroom, along with the hopes and anxieties that come with the future.

Graduation isn’t about tears—it symbolizes dreams just beginning, carrying a positive message with a sense of new encounters to come.

Featuring powerful vocals and refreshing guitar sounds, the track invites you to look back on how you felt when you first met, reaffirming the weight of friendship and farewell.

It’s a song that sincerely gives courage to all who are taking their first step forward before graduation.