[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.
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[Heartfelt] A Collection of Japanese Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Play and Sing on Guitar [2026] (71–80)
Lingering Snowiruka
A folk song whose simple acoustic guitar sound lends it an even deeper sense of melancholy.
It has been covered by artists across a wide range of genres—including idols, rock bands, and singer-songwriters—and is loved by listeners of all ages.
Portraying the moment of parting and the passage of time, it has also long been cherished as a graduation song.
The happiest treasuresutopuri
Strawberry Prince (StPri) is a six-member entertainment group whose popularity is evident, with their YouTube uploads surpassing a total of 7 billion views.
Their 27th single, “Saikou no Takaramono,” delivers a refreshing message that’s sentimental yet uplifting.
For guitar accompaniment, using a capo on the 2nd fret makes it relatively easier to play, but be careful with the maj7 chords—they’re barre chords and tricky to finger.
It’s a sentimental pop tune you’ll want to practice slowly until graduation season and then perform for the big moment.
Words of FarewellKaientai
This is the 16th single by the three-piece folk group Kaientai, named by Tetsuya Takeda, a devoted fan of Ryoma Sakamoto.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3B” and is known as one of Kaientai’s signature tracks.
Although the lyrics are actually about heartbreak, phrases that evoke graduation and its association with a school drama theme have made it a classic graduation song across generations.
In terms of performance, it uses many barre chords, so beginner guitarists who struggle with barring should use simplified chord shapes.
With its beautiful, lyrical melody, it’s a perfect song to perform as an acoustic sing-along for those celebrating their graduation.
365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48
AKB48’s “365 Nichi no Kamihikōki” is loved by many people.
Chosen as the theme song for the NHK morning drama series “Asa ga Kita,” it’s a ballad with a memorable, nostalgic melody.
Unlike pop idol songs, it has a mature tone that evokes a sense of nostalgia.
This makes it well-suited for guitar-and-vocal performances, and its gentle sound, enjoyable across generations, makes it a perfect song for graduation season.
Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro
This is a song whose warm vocals and melody gently resonate with the graduation season.
Written specifically for a commercial, it was released in March 2019.
Motohiro Hata’s gentle voice pairs exquisitely with the guitar’s timbre.
The lyrics convey both the sadness of parting and the anticipation of a new beginning, tenderly embracing the listener’s heart.
The act of gazing up at the blue sky is impressively portrayed as a symbol of hope and a forward-looking spirit.
It’s recommended not only for students about to graduate, but also for anyone stepping into a new stage of life.
Why not try performing it with just your voice and a guitar, as a way to express gratitude to someone special?
To the skyYamazaki Masayoshi
When you think of Masayoshi Yamazaki, he’s known for his image as an artist who performs solo with an acoustic guitar.
His 2016 single “Sora e” (To the Sky) is a perfect ballad for graduation season, teaching us that time is what eases the pain of parting.
It was written as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the Birth of Japan 2016, released the same year.
The original features many barre chords that take some getting used to, so you might want to use a capo to change the key and make it easier to play.
Graduation SongHUNGRY DAYS
A song by the four-piece punk band HUNGRY DAYS, who, despite their short period of activity, captivated listeners with energetic, unadorned, straight-to-the-point lyrics.
Chosen as the ending theme for the talk variety show “Akko to Machami no Shingata Terebi,” it’s a graduation song with a pleasantly relaxed shuffle beat included on their first album, “We Are HUNGRY DAYS!!” While the tune works naturally as an acoustic-guitar-only solo performance, it primarily uses barre chords, so beginners should practice thoroughly.
It’s a number that resonates with graduates, conveying the message that a graduation ceremony is not only about parting ways but also about a fresh start.