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[Heartfelt] A Collection of Japanese Graduation Songs to Sing and Play on Guitar [2026]
Graduation is a special season, and there’s a warmth in singing a graduation song with just a guitar that seeps right into the heart.
Unlike karaoke, it’s the sound and voice spun from your own fingertips.
That resonance reaches the listener’s heart quietly, yet unmistakably.
Many of you may feel, “I want to express my gratitude through my own performance,” or “I want to create a special moment for a farewell with someone important.” In this article, we’ve gathered standout graduation songs by Japanese artists that you’ll want to perform with just a guitar and your voice.
From songs with relatively simple chords to those worth the challenge, we’ll introduce a wide range.
Find the one song that carries your feelings.
[Heartfelt] A Collection of Japanese Graduation Songs to Sing and Play on Guitar [2026] (1–10)
March 9Remioromen
This is the third single by Remioromen, a three-piece rock band that announced a hiatus from band activities in 2012, with each member now pursuing individual projects.
Although the song was written to celebrate a friend’s wedding, its lyrics can also be read as messages to a beloved teacher or friends from one’s youth, making it a staple graduation song.
For solo acoustic performances, it can be played using basic chords, but since it features many barre chords, beginner guitarists will need practice.
In the original, the band creates dynamic contrast by switching between strumming and arpeggios, so try to play it the same way if possible.
sunflowerAdo
Like flowers blooming toward the summer sun, this heartwarming song gives you the courage to look ahead.
Sung by Ado, it was released digitally in July 2023 and drew attention as the theme song for the drama “18/40: Dreams and Love If We’re Together.” It portrays a protagonist who lacks self-confidence, admiring “you” with your dazzling smile and slowly trying to change.
The earnest lyrics resonate even more deeply during graduation season, when farewells and new beginnings intersect.
Ado’s YouTube channel features a self-accompanied performance video by her, and watching it will definitely make you want to try performing it yourself!
I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu
This is a classic hit by Spitz that was tied in as the theme song for the coming-of-age drama “Hakusen Nagashi,” which starred Tomoya Nagase from TOKIO, Miki Sakai, Takashi Kashiwabara, Kotomi Kyono, and others.
It’s a representative song that suits the graduation season, with a captivating guitar sound.
The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46
The word “sayonara” may carry not only sadness, but also a strength for the future.
This piece, released in November 2016 as the 16th single by the popular idol group Nogizaka46, is also known as the final single for Nanami Hashimoto, who served as center at the time, and it drew major attention when it was performed at the 67th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen that same year.
The beautiful melody line composed by Katsuhiko Sugiyama pairs perfectly with the warm resonance of the acoustic guitar.
If you sing while strumming the chords at a gentle tempo, memories with someone special are sure to come vividly back to life.
Why not let your voice carry your resolve to overcome parting and move toward a new future?
Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//
This is a heartwarming mid-tempo ballad born from the collaboration between Hattori from Macaroni Empitsu and Takumi Kitamura.
Released as a single by DISH// in November 2021, it was written as the theme song for the TV drama “The Winner in February: The Classroom of Guaranteed Success.” The lyrics portray feelings of gratitude that are hard to express out of shyness, and the joy of having a place you can always return to—perfect for the graduation season when new journeys begin.
If you perform it with just voice and guitar, it’s sure to gently encourage those who listen.
As of May 2024, the song surpassed 100 million streams.
When you want to say “thank you” to someone important, try expressing it with your own voice and sound!