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

crescent moonayaka

Ayaka – Crescent Moon

Ayaka’s songs have been widely covered by many other artists, and she has many famous tracks.

Many young people who aspire to be singers also practice Ayaka’s songs.

Among them, “Mikazuki” is one of the most famous—a heartfelt ballad.

It’s a song many people are likely to sing at karaoke.

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

EXILE / Michi (Short Ver.)

EXILE’s “Michi” is one of the famous songs widely known and often sung at graduation ceremonies.

It’s also a memorable song in which member TAKAHIRO, who was selected through an audition, sang in tears at the following live performance.

AitaiKato Miria

Miliyah Kato - “Aitai”

The one capturing girls’ hearts is Miliyah Kato.

The pain of love is woven into her lyrics and melodies.

Miliyah Kato enjoys immense popularity among women.

“Aitai” has also been covered by Shota Shimizu, so the male-sung version of “Aitai” is a must-listen as well.

May it be filled with kindnessJUJU

JUJU 'So That It Overflows with Kindness'

JUJU is an artist who sings every song with delicate nuance.

JUJU’s “Yasashisa de Afureru You ni” is a song that Flower has also covered, and it was used as a movie theme song.

It’s no exaggeration to say she is a national artist.

Take off the uniform and say goodbye…Nogizaka 46

Nogizaka46 Taking Off the Uniform to Say Goodbye…

A Nogizaka46 song that portrays the feelings of a girl saying goodbye to the special time called “uniform” and taking her first step into adulthood.

Sung by Asuka Saito and Minami Hoshino, who were both in high school at the time, their true-to-life voices further enhance the song’s fresh, innocent charm.

Listening to this track—which conveys not only hope for the future but also a tinge of sadness at leaving a familiar place—may bring back nostalgic memories of your own youth.

It’s included on the single Taiyo Knock, released in July 2015.

A refreshing, hope-filled anthem that gently supports hearts swaying with expectation and anxiety at the major milestone of graduation.

Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya

Takanori Kawasaki - Sakura Usagi [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

It’s a heart-wrenchingly bittersweet graduation song that makes you see your timid self in a “rabbit.” After three years of pent-up feelings, all you can manage to say in the end is “thank you.” Doesn’t it make you overlay your own image onto that sweet-and-bitter page of youth? Takaya Kawasaki’s husky yet warm voice gently wraps around the protagonist’s frustrating, unrequited feelings.

Released in January 2021, this song is also included on the album Nukumori (Warmth).

For those who couldn’t say that single word, “I like you,” its message tenderly embraces those painful memories—and if you’ve ever had a one-sided crush, it will surely warm your heart.

A Clockwork DreamKeyakizaka46

Keyakizaka46 “Clockwork Dream” Short Ver.

It’s a song that vividly brings back a page of youth that everyone experiences—the farewell to a friend seen off on the station platform.

Sung by Keyakizaka46’s popular unit “Yui-chans,” this track was included on the single Glass wo Ware!, released in March 2018.

The gentle tones of the acoustic guitar delicately portray the distance between the city and one’s hometown, as well as a sense of loss for one’s dreams, as if a spring had suddenly unwound.

When you’re separated from your best friend and feel just a little lonely, this bittersweet yet warm melody may resonate in your heart.

It’s a work that softly stays by your side, as if to remind you that precious memories never fade, no matter how far apart you are.