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

road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE

MichI – EXILE (Full)

This is the 23rd single by EXILE, the dance and vocal group that continues to thrive as an iconic presence of LDH, the entertainment company dominating the J-POP scene.

A ballad themed around graduation and new beginnings, it was featured as the commercial song for the music distribution service music.jp and as the opening theme for the music variety show Ongaku Senshi MUSIC FIGHTER.

Its lyrics, which express gratitude to friends and the sadness of parting, resonate with many people on graduation day.

With its relaxed tempo that pairs well with acoustic guitar accompaniment, it’s an emotional graduation song you’ll want to perform as a gift for someone graduating.

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Hoshino Takashi

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YELLikimonogakari

YELL – Ikimono-gakari (Full)

The 15th single by Ikimonogakari, a musical group known for weaving beautiful messages and melodies with their straightforward vocals.

The song was created as the set piece for the NHK National School Music Competition’s junior high division, and because it’s often sung at graduation ceremonies, it’s also known as a modern classic graduation song.

The lyrics, which look back on student days while expressing a resolve to walk a new path, will likely resonate in real time with graduates.

With many difficult chords and frequent chord changes, beginner guitarists may find it challenging, but the relaxed tempo makes it possible to learn at ease and perform it as a singing-with-guitar piece.

Precisely because it’s a staple song, it’s perfect as a gift for graduates.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Future airplaneakairo no gurittā

Red Glitter “Future Airplane” (Official Music Video)

A beloved graduation song that gently weaves together memories of high school—school routes, chimes, hallways, and the everyday moments with friends—this is the title track of Akairo no Glitter’s debut single.

Released in March 2015, the song was written based on vocalist Ryosuke Sato’s own experiences, and its lyrics, which hold both the ache of not being able to return to the past and the resolve to step forward into the future, resonate deeply.

Its catchy, solid melody powerfully propels the emotions, making it unforgettable after just one listen.

The fact that the music video and performance scenes were filmed at the members’ alma mater also lends a vivid sense of lived-in youth.

It’s a guitar rock number that warmly brightens any graduation live performance—recommended not only for students facing graduation, but for anyone experiencing a farewell with cherished friends.

Sakuraayaka

Ayaka / “Sakura” (from the LIVE DVD & Blu-ray “Acoustic Live Tour 2017–2018 ~3-STAR RAW~”)

It’s a moving song that overlays moments of graduation and parting with cherry blossom petals.

This is Ayaka’s first graduation song, richly reflecting her own experiences and emotions.

The lyrics, filled with feelings from her farewells when she moved to Tokyo at 17 and from her life now as a mother, resonate with listeners at the milestones of their lives.

When performing it as a solo with guitar, placing the capo on the 3rd fret makes the chords easier to play.

Give it a try!

Letter ~Dear fifteen-year-old you~Anjura Aki

Angela Aki “Letter: To You, Fifteen” Music Video (HD)

Born in Tokushima Prefecture to a Japanese mother and an Italian-American father, Angela Aki—who also performs as a jazz pianist—released this as her eighth single.

As the catchphrase “Have you ever written a letter to your future self?” suggests, the lyrics capture the complex feelings of students facing graduation and their anxieties about the future.

Since she primarily performs with piano and vocals, the song can also be played naturally with just an acoustic guitar.

However, because most of the chords are barre chords, I recommend that beginner guitarists use simplified chord shapes.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro

Himawari no Yakusoku – Motohiro Hata (Full)

A signature song by Motohiro Hata, widely used in various contexts such as commercials and variety shows, including as the theme song for the film STAND BY ME Doraemon.

It portrays the irreplaceable days spent with a loved one.

Even if we are separated in the future, the song conveys a sense of hope that we are bound by a strong bond.

GraduationOzaki Yutaka

Yutaka Ozaki “Sotsugyo” (Graduation) – LIVE CORE Complete Edition: Yutaka Ozaki in Tokyo Dome, 1988-09-12

This is the fourth single by the legendary singer-songwriter Yutaka Ozaki, who, despite enjoying immense popularity among young people across Japan, passed away suddenly at the young age of 26.

Rather than focusing on the themes common to typical graduation songs—hope for the future or the sadness of parting—the lyrics express anger toward a repressive life and a yearning for liberation, which still carries a sensational impact today.

Since it can be played with relatively simple chords, it’s also a recommended graduation song for beginner guitarists to choose for a solo singing-and-playing performance.

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Hoshino Takashi

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