A collection of timeless ballads sung by idols—songs that deeply touch the heart

Dear,Snow Man

Dear,

Snow Man is an idol group whose members shine across a wide range of platforms, including TV, dramas, and stage productions.

One of the new songs included on their best-of album THE BEST 2020‑2025, released in January 2025, is this track.

Marking the fifth anniversary of their debut, it’s a medium-tempo ballad themed around gratitude and the bond with the fans who have supported them.

The gentle harmonies of the nine voices layering over a warm, piano-and-strings ensemble leave a lasting impression.

The lyrics are filled with countless expressions of thanks for love, quietly resonating in the listener’s heart.

This piece is perfect for graduations and send-off moments, for those who wish to express their appreciation to friends and mentors.

It’s a warmly comforting number that softly encourages those embarking on a new journey.

GraduationHikaru GENJI

Hikaru GENJI Graduation (1988)

Let me introduce a classic by Hikaru GENJI, released in November 1987 as the B-side to the single “Garasu no Jūdai.” With lyrics by Ryo Asuka and music by CHAGE—a truly star-studded team—this work is a coming-of-age ballad that movingly captures the milestone of graduation.

The lyrics not only convey the sorrow of parting but also weave in the hope of taking a new step forward, leaving a deep impression on the heart.

On Music Station in September 1995, the group performed the song with a memorable staging in which the members removed their roller skates and placed them on the stage, bringing many fans to tears.

It’s a track that showcases the group’s delicate emotionality—another facet of their appeal beyond their dazzling performances.

A deeply moving song recommended not only for those facing graduation, but for anyone experiencing a farewell with cherished friends.

Graduationsaitou yuki

Yuki Saito “Graduation” MV

Although it was released as her debut single in 1985, this classic by Yuki Saito is still loved as a staple of the graduation season.

Written by Takashi Matsumoto and composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi—the legendary duo—the song peaked at No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and sold about 264,000 copies.

It was also featured in a commercial for Myojo Foods, drawing significant attention at the time.

The lyrics portray a delicate inner conflict between the “expected tears of graduation” and the singer’s true feelings.

Rather than sweet ideals, it strikingly captures the real face of adolescence: moving on to the next season without fully sorting out one’s emotions.

The arrangement, weaving in melodica and saxophone, beautifully evokes the atmosphere of school.

It’s a perfect song for those who feel reluctant to show their tears, or who prefer to greet their departure quietly.

uniformMatsuda Seiko

uniform

Originally released in 1982 as the B-side to the eighth single “Akai Sweet Pea,” this song has long been cherished as one of Seiko Matsuda’s hidden masterpieces.

With lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto, music by Kureta Keiko (the pen name of Yumi Matsutoya), and arrangement by Masataka Matsutoya, it was created by a stellar team.

The lyrics portray the feelings of the protagonist walking beside the person they like amid a sea of umbrellas on graduation day, brimming with the bittersweet tension between the desire to confess and the urge to hold back.

It masterfully condenses the universal theme of the end of student days into just 3 minutes and 33 seconds.

Despite being a B-side, its quality is such that Seiko Matsuda herself said it was “as complete as an A-side.” In 1984, it was included on the compilation album Touch Me, Seiko, which collected coupling tracks and reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It’s a song I highly recommend to those setting out on a springtime journey or anyone nostalgic for their school days.

Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie

Harunanoni

A bittersweet yet beautiful song about feelings for someone you’ll no longer be able to see after graduation.

Released in January 1983 as Yoshie Kashiwabara’s 14th single, it is one of her signature tracks, written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima.

It peaked at No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and won the Gold Award at the 25th Japan Record Awards.

The song also led to her first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Its worldview—where the brightness of spring cruelly intersects with the pain of parting—strikes straight to the heart.

Rather than going for flashy drama, the piece is memorable for its steady progression, where the melody calmly unfolds and the emotional shadows gradually deepen.

Revisited every graduation season, it continues to be loved across generations.

It’s recommended for moments when, on the cusp of a new beginning, you want to pause and gather your thoughts.