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

High school students experience moving moments in various situations—graduation, friendship, romance—precisely because it’s such a sensitive and formative time.

This time, we’d like to introduce a collection of emotional songs that are especially popular among high schoolers.

From graduation songs that resonate with students’ hearts to highly relatable love songs, we’ve gathered emotional tracks from a variety of perspectives.

There are many songs that will strike a chord with today’s high school students, so we hope you’ll find a favorite or something you can relate to.

Let’s get started!

Playlist

Moving songs recommended for high school students: classic and popular Japanese hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Sakura, You, and Ituki.		tuki.’s songs express the bittersweetness of youth.
2	We againSG		A moving song themed around parting and reunion
3	Heroineback number		back number's winter love songs
4	horizonback number		back number’s cheer song becomes a big hit
5	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE's new song Darling
6	treasurewacci		Wacci’s Everyday Life, Dramatic
7	The end of the beginningTENSONG		A moving song that portrays the end and the beginning of TENSION
8	Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu		Macaroni Enpitsu’s youth song
9	Wherever you areONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK's moving love song
10	As a personSUPER BEAVER		A rock song that portrays weakness and strength
11	Someday, these tearsLittle Glee Monster		Little Glee Monster's soccer cheer song
12	Loved oneFOMARE		A song about everyday life and feelings for a loved one
13	CorrectRADWIMPS		A graduation song that portrays youthful uncertainty, growth, and friendship
14	Be the soil that makes flowers bloom, rather than the flowers themselves.berii guddoman		A song to cheer on someone giving their best
15	Love and romanceNovelbright		Novelbright's love songs are heartwarming
16	Song SevenRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s moving masterpiece, music that shakes the heart
17	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)GReeeeN		An iconic song that gives you the courage to face adversity
18	After-schoolDaisycall		A fast-paced song that captures youthful romance
19	Dear, boyHump Back		Hump Back Support Song, To Those Who Chase Their Dreams
20	Welcome back.Tani Yuuki		A song of aching love for a precious person far away
21	Love SongUru		Uru’s love support song
22	It’s nothing.RADWIMPS		RADWIMPS is a band popular around the world.
23	Bye, my friendbokula.		The bittersweetness of youth, bokula.’s masterpiece
24	NAOHY		HY's "NAO" is a song about unrequited love.
25	MagicMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s refreshing cheer song
26	ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism		A song of courage that supports the first step in life
27	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		Himawari no Yakusoku is a nationally beloved song.
28	one’s true feelingssumika		I don’t want to give up! Resolve and the power of comrades
29	Before GoodbyeAAA		A group that engages in a wide range of activities with multi-talented members
30	TOKYO GIRLPerfume		The globally popular group Perfume
31	pupilŌhara Sakurako		Sakurako Ohara, an exceptional talent who has been in the spotlight since her debut
32	First loveFlower		Flower is perfect, and Reina Washio’s singing voice is popular.
33	Memories of Tomorrowarashi		Give courage with the theme song of Sho Sakurai’s drama
34	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		AKB48’s signature song, Paper Airplane of 365 Days
35	lamplightYuga		People live together with others and are illuminated by the light of love.
36	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		aiko speaks for the sweet-and-sour feeling of love
37	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN, a one-of-a-kind harmony created by dentists
38	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		Yuzu’s “Eiko no Kakashi” has been loved for many years.
39	YELLikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari’s moving graduation song
40	Letter ~To You, Fifteen~Anjura Aki		An anthem of hope that carries on into the future
41	KanadeSukima Suichi		Kanade by Sukima Switch is a popular song.
42	I love youback number		A masterpiece that sings of the treasures in everyday life
43	Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//		DISH//'s Exam Cheer Song
44	Blue in the classroomHoshimachi Suisei		A refreshing song about youthful friendship and parting
45	You…Nishino Kana		Kana Nishino is an artist popular among women.
46	I’ll be by your side.Aoyama Teruma		Thelma Aoyama is a popular singer and a funny person.
47	StargazeSixTONES		SixTONES’ new song, a much-talked-about cheer anthem with lyrics by Yojiro Noda
48	HappinessAI		AI music makes people smile.
49	tear(s)GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE		This generation excels at both dance and ballads.
50	crescent moonayaka		Ayaka’s songs are widely covered and well known.
51	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		EXILE’s “Michi” is a famous song that’s sung at graduation ceremonies.
52	AitaiKato Miria		Miliyah Kato is extremely popular among women.
53	May it be filled with kindnessJUJU		JUJU is a nationally beloved artist known for her delicate and graceful vocal prowess.
54	Take off the uniform and say goodbye…Nogizaka 46		Graduating from uniforms: a step into youth and a farewell
55	Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya		A bittersweet coming-of-age graduation song that resonates in the heart
56	A Clockwork DreamKeyakizaka46		A song depicting youthful farewells and a sense of loss
57	to cry innocently; to weep with a childlike airAKASAKI		A heartwarming song where love and longing for a precious person intertwine
58	ElfAdo		A theme song by Ado depicting a lonely struggle and growth
59	Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE		Cheering song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
60	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
61	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		A youth song by Mrs. GREEN APPLE
62	winding roadNovelbright		A coming-of-age anthem that cheers on the journey from boyhood to adulthood
63	C.h.a.o.s.m.y.t.h.ONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK’s songs that sing of youth and the courage to face the future
64	We areONE OK ROCK		ONE OK ROCK's fight song
65	Ten Thousand Cheers, A Thousand ChantsRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’ support song for 18-year-olds gives hope and courage
66	Critical HitRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS' youth-supporting rock song
67	earnest desireSUPER BEAVER		A famous song by SUPER BEAVER that sings about the importance of human relationships
68	A Song for a FriendSonar Pocket		A coming-of-age pop tune that sings about the bonds of friendship
69	FRIENDS!!!imase		A heartwarming song that portrays the importance of friendship
70	Dinner Songtuki.		A song that gently expresses the struggle between love and parting
71	Flower of loveaimyon		A song that sings of the preciousness of love and life, wrapped in the gentleness of spring
72	Unable to become an adultkujira		Warm lyrics that embrace solitude and affirm oneself
73	Dear Sir or Madam, on this day when cherry blossoms fluttermafumafu		Mafumafu’s Spring Youth Story
74	futureKobukuro		Introduction of a heartwarming ballad song
75	We’ve gotta do what seems impossible.Sambomasutā		An anthem of support that gives you the courage to keep moving forward without giving up
76	Start to shine and run forwardSambomasutā		A song of courage to pursue one’s true self and move toward hope
77	Precious thingsroodo obu mejyaa		A rock ballad depicting friendship and farewell
78	Beautiful DaysHirai Dai		Sing of hope and bonds in Dai Hirai’s youth anthem
79	DREAMERIkuta Rira		A gem of a mid-tempo ballad whose passion for chasing dreams and unwavering devotion strikes the heart
80	Everyone, everyone is shining.Yugeda Kensuke		A message of encouragement to children singing of spring's hope
81	periodIshizaki Hyuui		A warm ballad depicting the end of love and a new beginning
82	SCHOOL DAYSshiritsu ebisu chūgaku		A song of anticipation and determination for a new life
83	Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro		An inspiring song by Motohiro Hata that captures the milestone of graduation
84	BOW AND ARROWYonezu Kenshi		A song that supports young people pursuing their dreams in figure skating
85	contrailArai Yumi		Expressing Yumi Arai’s youthful impressions with a clear, translucent singing voice
86	A Gentle BallAimer		A fantastical piece set at a ballroom on a starry night
87	Do you like it?E-girls		The appeal and popularity of E-girls
88	Our Starting LineHIPPY		HIPPY’s cheer song, expressing the passion of youth and sports
89	Question 1Ao		Ao portrays the doubts and hopes of a high school student.
90	possibilitySambomasutā		Sambomaster Youth Fight Song
91	cherry blossomKetsumeishi		Ketsumeishi’s quintessential spring song “Sakura”
92	PRIDESandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		The singing and harmonies of Sandaime J Soul Brothers are wonderful.
93	Every dayAbe Mao		Mao Abe is a distinctive artist popular among junior high and high school students.
94	Until this voice is goneNaoto Intiraymi		Naoto Inti Raymi’s Pure Love Song
95	Unrequited lovemiwa		Miwa is a singer and popular among young people.
96	HOMEShimizu Shota		Shota Shimizu’s unique sensibility and delicate lyrics are captivating.