[2026] Spring songs sung by idols: A roundup of cherry blossom and graduation songs

See you.o nyanko kurabu

See you.

Released in February 1986, this is Onyanko Club’s third single.

It was produced as a send-off song for Miharu Nakajima, who served as the main vocalist and was graduating from the group, and it reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly singles chart.

The lyrics were written by Yasushi Akimoto and the music composed by Ken Takahashi, with words that condense the lingering afterglow of farewell into a short title, delivering a powerful emotional impact.

The song has been featured on TV Asahi’s Kamen Rider Kiva and NHK’s morning drama Amachan, and it continues to be loved today as a symbol of the 1980s.

It’s recommended not only for those approaching graduation, but for anyone experiencing a parting with cherished friends.

The frustration of being unable to put “goodbye” into words—and the resolve to face forward and take the next step—are feelings this song will gently support.

Flower of youthKobushi Fakutorī

Kobushi Factory 'Seishun no Hana' (Magnolia Factory [The Flower of Youth]) (Promotion Edit)

Kobushi Factory, part of Hello! Project, was formed in 2015.

Comprising elite members who came up through the trainee program, they drew attention right from their debut, winning Best New Artist at the 57th Japan Record Awards that same year.

Featured on their final single released in March 2020, this song is a graduation anthem that simultaneously portrays the brilliance of youth and the poignancy of parting.

Interweaving the imagery of the flower that inspired the group’s name, it affirms the beauty of a fleeting farewell while singing of the resolve to move forward.

The arrangement, enriched with strings, heightens the emotion, and the harmonies honed by the five-member lineup resonate deeply.

It’s a must-listen not only for those graduating, but for anyone who has experienced 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.

Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko

Graduation -GRADUATION-

Released in February 1985, Momoko Kikuchi’s fourth single remains beloved as a classic that colors the graduation season.

With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and composition/arrangement by Tetsuji Hayashi, this work is a slowed-down ballad whose delicate sound evokes the hazy spring sunlight.

The lyrics sensitively depict universal emotions—not only graduation as a school event, but also parting, the passage of time, and the feeling that there is no going back.

In addition to being featured in a Shiseido “Acne” commercial, it also drew attention as the theme song for a television drama of the same name starring Momoko Kikuchi herself.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart and is included on the album “TROPIC of CAPRICORN.” It’s a song you’ll want to play when you wish to express gratitude to irreplaceable friends and mentors with whom you’ve shared precious days.

I heard the sound of cherry blossoms blooming.＝LOVE

=LOVE (Equal Love) / 1st ALBUM track 'I Heard the Sound of Cherry Blossoms Blooming' MV [YouTube ver.]

We bring you a heart-lifting song for the season of cherry blossoms.

Performed by =LOVE, this refreshing track captures the flutter of first love.

With lyrics penned by Rino Sashihara, the words strikingly liken the blooming of sakura to the anticipation of a first crush.

Included on the album “Zenbu, Naisho.” and released in May 2021, it uses a melodious sound to portray the world gradually filling with color as spring arrives.

Perfect for the peak of cherry blossom season and for those embarking on new encounters or fresh beginnings.

Why not enjoy a springtime stroll with someone special while listening to it?