[Recommended for High School Students] New Graduation Songs & Classic Tearjerkers Collection

Sakura, You, and Ituki.

tuki. 'Sakura Kimi Watashi' Official Music Video

A heartwarming youth song that condenses graduation, partings, and the transience of love into a single track.

Featured as an insert song in ABEMA’s dating reality show “Kyou, Suki ni Narimashita.

Graduation Edition 2024,” it was crafted by tuki.

with delicate sensitivity.

A gentle melody led by acoustic guitar intertwines with clear vocals to carefully portray the feeling of basking in memories.

Released in January 2024, the track also drew attention for its animated music video by Posuka Demizu, the illustrator of the manga The Promised Neverland.

It’s a youth anthem that will resonate not only with students facing the end of their school days but also with anyone who has experienced a farewell with someone dear.

Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu “Youth and a Moment” MV

Here’s the refreshing coming-of-age song by Macaroni Empitsu that was even featured in a McDonald’s commercial: “Seishun to Isshun” (Youth and a Moment).

Macaroni Empitsu’s tracks always seem to scratch just the right itch, don’t they? This song is sprinkled with relatable moments that any high schooler has probably experienced at least once, making you think, “I still want to savor my youth a little longer…” It’s a song you’ll want to listen to together, laughing, after a tearful graduation ceremony.

Don’t miss the super-cute music video, shot in vocalist Hattori’s hometown of Yamanashi, where he spent his teenage years!

threadBank Band

Ito (Thread) — Bank Band

Like the way you’ve woven relationships with many people at school, Bank Band’s “Ito” conveys the hope that you’ll continue to meet all kinds of people and walk a wonderful path in life.

Included on the 2004 album Oishi Souai, this song is a cover of Miyuki Nakajima’s original.

It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Assistance Dog Musashi: Let’s Go to School!” and in a Sumitomo Life commercial.

The joy of meeting people is something you likely discovered through encounters with friends and teachers.

By carrying that into the future, a bright tomorrow surely awaits—this song inspires that feeling.

Sing it with the wish for the wonderful encounters yet to come.

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SAKI

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BELIEVESugimoto Ryuichi

Believe

Composed and written by Ryuichi Sugimoto, this song was released in 1998 as the third ending theme for the NHK program “Ikimono Chikyū Kikō” (The Living Earth).

It is often sung in kindergarten and school graduation ceremonies, and its popularity grew further through covers by Azumi Inoue and V6.

With clear, accessible lyrics that encourage children as they move toward the future, it is a truly wonderful song.

Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46

The Only One Who Knows Is the Graduation Photo by Hinatazaka46

It’s a bittersweet love song that colors the cherry blossom season.

Hinatazaka46 will release it in January 2025 as their 13th single.

Nao Kosaka serves as center, and the music video is produced with the theme of a “parade that heralds spring.” The lyrics depict looking back at graduation photos and reminiscing about someone you once liked, resulting in something highly relatable.

It may particularly resonate with those who have just graduated from high school.

Sakura Clear SkiesYuuri

To You Graduating This Year [Sakura Clear Skies] [First Performance of New Song]

With lyrics filled with feelings for one’s parents and an emotional vocal that pierces the heart, “Sakurabare” is a song by Yuuri, who also worked on “Dry Flower.” The piano performance and vocals further amplify the power of the words, letting the message resonate.

The lyrics, which make you realize that the familiar scenes of everyday life are true happiness, are perfect for the graduation season or moments when you want to express gratitude to someone.

The resolve to accept both joy and sorrow and live in the present is something many people can relate to, isn’t it?

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mutō

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cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro

Sakura

It’s one of the quintessential “sakura songs” you want to listen to when spring arrives.

Virtually synonymous with Naotaro Moriyama, this track was released as a single in March 2003 and sold over a million copies.

Its lyrics superimpose farewells to dear friends and moments of new beginnings onto the image of cherry blossoms that bloom beautifully and fall all too quickly, resonating deeply in the heart.

Beyond the sadness of parting, the song also conveys a warm, resilient strength, pledging to reunite in the future while holding onto unchanging feelings.

It was also beloved as the ending theme for the MBS/TBS program “Sekai Ururun Taizai-ki.” It’s a classic you’ll want to play on the day of graduation, reminiscing about the days spent with your friends.