[Heartfelt] A Collection of Japanese Graduation Songs to Sing and Play on Guitar [2026]

Graduationgagaga supi

Gagaga SP "Graduation"

This is a song by the punk rock band Gagaga SP themed around graduation.

The lyrics carry a somewhat sad feeling, but with lively guitar sounds and powerful vocals, it comes together as a very uplifting track.

Sing your heart out!

Thank you, and goodbye.koaramōdo

Koalamode. 'Thank you, and goodbye'

The graduation song by Koalamode, an artist trending on TikTok, is “Arigatou, Soshite Sayonara” (“Thank You, and Goodbye”).

It’s a track from their 2016 single “Sakura Bocchi,” and it expresses gratitude to the friend who sat next to them in a nerve-wracking first classroom.

While the song leaves a strong impression with its piano—starting with a piano intro—it’s a mid-tempo pop tune, so it’s also great for guitar-and-vocal performances.

There’s a key change partway through, but both keys aren’t too difficult, so definitely give it a try!

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Hamada Takuya

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Graduation Daynamu abedabutsu

Namu Abedabutsu - “Graduation Day” (Official Music Video) Dedicated to all graduates

Graduation Day is a graduation song by the rock band Namu Abedabutsu, who debuted as an active high school band.

It was their first single, released in 2021, and its rugged, no-frills punk rock sound is seriously cool.

The straightforward, true-to-life lyrics sung by the members, who had just graduated from high school, resonated with a wide range of generations.

When you think of singing with a guitar, you might picture an acoustic, but doing a sing-and-play performance with a distorted electric guitar could be interesting too.

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Hamada Takuya

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Because we’re friends.Ochiai Wataru

Wataru Ochiai – Because We’re Friends (Music Video)

Wataru Ochiai’s graduation song “Tomodachi Yakarane” resonates with a gentle, uplifting melody and lyrics that warmly send off graduates.

Sung in casual Osaka dialect, the track feels packed with youthful memories.

Ochiai, a singer-songwriter from Osaka who began his career in 2015, places great importance on his lyrics.

“Tomodachi Yakarane” is filled with episodes that bring back the time spent with friends and the many memories you shared.

It’s a perfect graduation song for the season of new beginnings, capturing the unassuming moments of student life.

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nikki

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That paper airplane breaks through the cloudy sky.19

19 (Juke) - 'That Paper Airplane Breaks Through the Cloudy Sky'

The story of entrusting one’s dreams to a paper airplane really touches the heart.

It’s the signature work of the folk duo 19, released in March 1999.

This folk-flavored number weaves pure feelings and hope for the future into its lyrics.

Chosen as a TBS campaign song, it drew major attention and peaked at No.

6 on the Oricon weekly chart.

As a staple graduation song that can be performed with just a single guitar, it has been cherished for many years.

Before the cherry blossoms bloomkinoko teikoku

Kinoko Teikoku – Before the Cherry Blossoms Bloom

Despite receiving high praise for their musicality from both professionals and amateurs, the three-piece rock band Kinoko Teikoku has been on hiatus since 2019 due to a member’s departure.

Their second single, “Before the Cherry Blossoms Bloom,” which marked their major-label debut, lingers in the ear with a nostalgic sound that carries a touch of melancholy.

Although the song features many F chord shapes—often considered a hurdle for beginners—and includes challenging chords like Bmaj7 and C#sus4, the tempo is quite relaxed, so with practice you can learn to fret each chord one by one and play it.

It’s a perfect number for graduation season, stirring the heart all the more for those who have many happy memories from their youth.

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Hoshino Takashi

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If I can laughUrufuruzu

Ulfuls – If I Can Laugh

This is the 24th single by Ulfuls, a rock band from Osaka that stands out with their one-of-a-kind presence—funky, soulful vocals overlaid on their sound and lyrics that are both straightforward and comical.

The song was used as the ending theme for the TV drama “Ginza no Koi,” which also featured the band’s vocalist, Tortoise Matsumoto.

Its lyrics look back on the days of growth brought about by meeting someone important—feelings that many graduates are sure to relate to.

While it features many barre chords and includes chords like B7 and diminished, which might be challenging for beginner guitarists, it’s packed with a message perfect for graduates, making it a number you’ll want to challenge yourself to sing and play.

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Hoshino Takashi

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