Moving songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits

Wherever you areONE OK ROCK

Wherever You Are – ONE OK ROCK Full

This is a masterpiece by ONE OK ROCK, celebrated for its intricate musicality and emotional lyrics.

A gem of a love song that reflects feelings for a cherished person, its seamless blend of English and Japanese lyrics truly resonates.

Included on the album “Niche Syndrome,” the track was also featured in a 2015 NTT Docomo commercial, drawing widespread attention.

In both 2017 and 2018, it ranked No.

1 as the most-used song at weddings for two consecutive years.

It’s a perfect song to listen to when you want to look back on memories with someone special or on a special day.

Please give this heartwarming piece a listen—you’re sure to be moved.

Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster

Little Glee Monster 'Someday These Tears Will' Short Ver.

This is a Little Glee Monster soccer cheer song that brings back memories of youth.

The lyrics, which sing about the importance of hard work and teammates, really fire you up.

It’s also been used as the support song for the High School Soccer Championship and is popular as an anthem that cheers on those striving toward their dreams.

Included on the album “Fanfare,” it also has live tour footage available.

Recommended for anyone who wants to work hard toward their dreams together with friends.

It’s the perfect track for making memories of your youth, so high school students in particular may find it especially moving.

ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism

Official HIGE DANDism – Chessboard [Official Video]

This is a grand number by Official HIGE DANDism that gives you the courage to take your own step, even as you lose your way, on the vast board we call life.

Its worldview, likened to a checkerboard of black and white squares, is sure to resonate deeply with high school students living through days without rules or right answers.

Included on a single released in September 2023, the song was created as the set piece for the Middle School Division of the 90th NHK All-Japan School Music Competition.

It was also broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta and has been loved across generations.

Give it a listen when you feel crushed by wins and losses in club activities or the overwhelming pressure of entrance exams.

It will affirm the path you’ve taken so far and give you the strength to choose your next move.

one’s true feelingssumika

sumika / Honne [Music Video] *Theme song for the 99th All Japan High School Soccer Championship

A song by sumika that directly expresses a universal inner conflict—“Maybe I should give up, but I really don’t want to!”—that everyone has felt at least once.

It was written as the official support song for the 99th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.

The dramatic arrangement woven by piano and band is striking, building from a quiet, introspective verse into a chorus where resolve crystallizes, stirring the heart.

More than just a typical cheer-up anthem, its appeal lies in portraying the determination to move forward only after first acknowledging one’s own weaknesses.

It’s perfect for high school students standing at the milestone of graduation, about to take a new step, reminding them of the immense importance of friends who strive alongside them.

Dear, boyHump Back

Hump Back – “Dear, Boy” Music Video

This is one of Hump Back’s signature songs, expressing everyday joys and sorrows with straightforward lyrics and a catchy melody.

As an anthem for people chasing their dreams, it’s beloved by many fans.

Released in June 2018, the track was used as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Buzz Rhythm 02” and as a commercial song for Shinken Seminar’s High School Course.

The lyrics, said to be written with thoughts of the songwriter’s high school bandmates, portray the conflicts and hopes of youth.

It’s a must-listen for high school students striving toward their dreams and young people who feel uncertain about the future.

Its passionate spirit is truly moving.

Love SongUru

[Official] Uru “Love Song” — Theme song for Fuji TV’s Thursday drama series “My Fair Prince”

This is a song by Uru, known for her crystal-clear vocals.

It was released in August 2021 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Oshi no Oujisama.” Written and composed by Uru herself, the piece depicts the joys of love and the importance of everyday life, while also serving as an anthem that cheers on those who are doing their best.

Though it’s a medium-tempo love song, it marks a new frontier that blends gentleness with strength.

It carries a message about realizing the value of meeting someone special and the presence of companions while chasing your dreams, and it resonates with those who find it hard to be honest about the person they hold in their hearts.

It’s a song we especially recommend to high school students in the midst of their youth.

Bye, my friendbokula.

bokula. – By My Friend - [Official Music Video]

This is a gem of a song from bokula., a rock band based in Hiroshima, filled with the sparkle and bittersweetness of youth.

The lyrics, which remind us that the time and memories spent with friends—things we took for granted—are never wasted, resonate deeply alongside Ei’s straightforward vocals.

Included on the mini-album “Seikatsu ni, Yorisoi.” released in May 2022, the track has won fervent support especially among junior and senior high school students, and has become beloved by many listeners, surpassing a total of 8.5 million streams.

It’s the perfect song for those moments when you’re facing the sadness of going your separate ways but want to reaffirm an unchanging bond.

Why not send this track to your cherished friends as a token of gratitude at the milestone of graduation?