[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 to Sing and Play on Guitar [2026] (41–50)
era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki
Since its release in 1975, this masterpiece has been covered by artists across generations and genres, including Hiroko Yakushimaru, Hideki Saijo, Hiromi Iwasaki, Hideaki Tokunaga, Keisuke Kuwata, and Yo Hitoto.
No matter how many times we encounter hardship, the passage of time will see us through—surely many have been comforted by this warm message.
Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu
A perfect graduation song to sing with a guitar in hand is Yuzu’s “Tomodachi ~Tabidachi no Toki~” (“Friend ~Time of Departure~”).
Its exquisite chord progression and warm melody are ideal for playing on a single guitar and feel approachable for anyone.
The lyrics, filled with thoughts for friends leaving the place of learning and encouragement for the new paths ahead, bring back memories of the time spent together and gently resonate in the heart.
To send a warm cheer to those taking a step toward the future, try performing Yuzu’s “Tomodachi ~Tabidachi no Toki~” as a guitar-and-vocal rendition.
SolaninASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION is a four-piece rock band with a muscular guitar sound that gets audiences fired up at live shows.
Their 14th single, “Soranin,” which serves as the main theme for the film Soranin, is also known as one of the band’s signature songs.
Aside from the Eadd9 chord, the progression is simple, but because that chord appears quite frequently, it’s important to be able to fret it cleanly to play the song through.
With a message that urges you not to look back but to move forward into the future, it’s a rock tune that hits home—perfect for sending off graduates.
Song of DepartureMr.Children
This is the 31st single by Mr.Children, a four-piece rock band so well-known in Japan—thanks to numerous music awards and TV tie-ins—that there are likely few who haven’t heard their name.
Chosen as the theme song for the film “Koizora,” it’s a catchy number whose relaxed tempo is complemented by the band’s trademark, distinctive vocal phrasing.
As the title suggests, the lyrics center on the theme of setting off on a new journey, and are sure to resonate with anyone approaching graduation.
The chords are complex and the vocals demanding, making it a high hurdle for beginner guitarists, but that’s exactly why it can convey so much feeling.
Give it a try and practice it as a heartfelt gift in a solo acoustic performance.
CorrectRADWIMPS
Seikai, a song you’ll want to sing gently and earnestly with acoustic instruments behind you, is RADWIMPS’ 2018 graduation song.
Its theme is friendship.
It’s sung for young people setting off into the future, reflecting on the casual moments of student life and the struggles and realizations of youth.
It’s a tender number that makes you want to sing softly to guitar or piano accompaniment.
The lyrics end with a single line that quietly yet powerfully gives you a push forward.
Give this song—a cheer for those about to leap into the unknown—a try yourself.
DepartureFUNKY MONKEY BABYS
A song brimming with the strong, message-driven style characteristic of FUNKY MONKEY BABYS.
Set to an up-tempo, catchy melody, it portrays young people who can’t hide their doubts and anxieties about the future.
Even so, it’s a song that encourages them, telling them that moving forward is not a mistake.
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
A song by the folk duo 19, who announced their breakup at the height of their popularity in 2002, citing respect for each other’s musical direction.
It was included as the B-side to their smash-hit second single “Ano Kami Hikōki Kumorizora Watte.” Its message—that the everyday moments we took for granted suddenly become special at the milestone of graduation—is something many people will relate to.
With its overall simple chord progression, it’s easy for beginner guitarists to try singing and playing.
A graduation song whose gentle, bittersweet melody and lyrics pierce the heart—highly recommended as a gift.