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

SO YOUNGTHE YELLOW MONKEY

THE YELLOW MONKEY – SO YOUNG

This song exudes an indescribably ennui-laden atmosphere, with Kazuya Yoshii’s vocals—brimming with sensuality and languor—melding beautifully with the guitar’s resonance.

The lyrics’ worldview feels encouraging, suggesting that even amid sorrow and futility, one can find a glimmer of hope.

It also seems like a piece that would feel great to sing with a band.

spring breezewacci

wacci “Spring Breeze”

This is a graduation song that gently sings about the bonds with friends and the loneliness of parting.

It’s a track by wacci, included on their 2017 album “Kanjō Hyakkei.” With its delicate vocals and melody that seep into the heart, listening to it gives you the courage to take a new step forward.

How about performing it as a gift for someone special, just with a single guitar? It will surely leave you with a warm feeling that you’re always connected in your hearts.

To the days without a nameyama

yama “To the Nameless Days” MV

Singer yama, who began performing as a solo artist with the debut original song “Haru wo Tsugeru” and has drawn attention for a gender-neutral vocal timbre, has released the seventh digital single “Nameless Days,” featured as the theme song for episode #2 of Seven-Eleven’s original web anime Rainbow Finder.

It’s a comfortably airy track with a sense of depth and float, featuring chords like Adim and G#maj7 that can be tricky to grab in the moment—but with the relaxed tempo, practice should make them manageable.

It’s an emotional pop tune that evokes how the everyday moments up to graduation suddenly become something special.

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Hoshino Takashi

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GraduationCharcoal Filter

[PV] Charcoal Filter – Graduation (卒業)

This is the eighth single by CHARCOAL FILTER, a four-piece rock band that, despite being the first band for all its members, managed to complete two full tours of all 47 prefectures.

The song was used as the ending theme for the music variety show “saku saku.” With a refreshing melody that evokes youth punk and an exhilarating, fast-paced feel, it’s the kind of number that seems capable of blowing away the sorrow of parting.

The lyrics capture both the joy and the sadness of relationships changing at the time of graduation—something graduating students will likely feel in real time.

Since it can be performed as a simple solo with relatively easy chord forms, it’s a song that’s easy to take on even if you suddenly decide to learn it as a graduation gift.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Full of memoriesH₂O

Memories Are Full – H2O [AiemuTV – Acoustic Cover]

A famous song known across a wide range of ages—from today’s youth to adults—often used in junior high and high school choirs and included in music textbooks.

Since its release in 1983, it has been beloved by many.

Set to the warm tones of an acoustic guitar, it portrays a girl on the verge of growing up.

GraduationTakahashi Yuu

Yu Takahashi “Graduation”

This is the sixth single by Yu Takahashi, known as a “real-time singer-songwriter” and the son of a folk singer.

It served as the opening theme for the music program CDTV and as the campaign song for JR East’s “Let’s Wave at the SL!! — Along-the-Line Smile Project.” With lyrics expressing gratitude to friends at the graduation ceremony, it’s a moving number.

The original features an arrangement centered on piano and strings, but because the melody is catchy, singing it with just an acoustic guitar accompaniment still gets the feeling across.

However, since it uses many barre chords, if you’re not used to the guitar, be sure to practice until you can press them cleanly before presenting it.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Hey, my friendMr.forute

Mr. Fōrute – Hey, My Friend [Official Music Video]

Let me introduce a graduation song that’s perfect for the season of new departures, with its refreshing melody and heartfelt lyrics.

Mr.

Furiote’s 2021 release “Hey, My Friend” is an upbeat, bright track that somehow carries a touch of bittersweetness—a number you’ll want to dedicate to friends standing at a new threshold.

The lyrics feel like you’re speaking directly to friends who’ve shared the same time with you.

It sounds great with a full band, but a solo guitar-and-vocal rendition can be incredibly moving as well.

With its honest, straightforward chord progression, whether you sing it gently with just a guitar or pour your heart into it, it’s sure to resonate with listeners.

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nikki

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