A Collection of Moving Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke! [Farewells, Friendship, and Fight Songs]
When graduation season arrives, we tend to go to karaoke more often, don’t we? Singing with emotion as we trace our memories—there’s a unique charm to music that we can savor only at this time of year.
So in this article, we’ll introduce a curated list of recommended graduation songs that are perfect for belting out at karaoke! We’ve selected everything from timeless classics to the latest hits, so be sure to use it as a reference for your song choices! We hope this article gives you the chance to look back on your wonderful memories.
- Farewell Songs: Karaoke tunes to sing at a farewell party. Goodbye songs.
- [For Graduates] Graduation Songs and Cheer Anthems to Convey Gratitude and Support
- A farewell song for a dear friend—an uplifting graduation song that conveys heartfelt gratitude.
- Recommended graduation songs for men: tracks that cheer you on as you embark on a new journey
- Songs That Touch the Heart! Tearjerkers to Sing at Farewell Parties & A Collection of Song Ideas to Send Off
- [Great Lyrics!!] Recommended Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs with Heartfelt, Moving Words [2026]
- [For Middle Schoolers] Recommended Classic Songs to Sing at Graduation Ceremonies
- [2026] Modern graduation songs: Reiwa-era staples and new tracks you should know
- [Graduation Songs of the 2000s] Japanese Music That Colors the Season of Departure
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- [2026] A Collection of Graduation Songs Recommended for Gen Z [A Page of Youth]
- [Graduation Songs] Tear-Jerking, Heartwarming Ballads | A Showcase of Classics and the Newest Hits!
- [2026] Graduate with a Smile! Recommended Uplifting Graduation Songs
A collection of moving graduation song classics you’ll want to sing at karaoke! [Farewells, Friendship, and Cheer Songs] (41–50)
cherry blossomKobukuro
The song that took first place in the 2008 “Classic Graduation Songs Ranking” was Kobukuro’s “Sakura.” Released in 2005 as their 12th single, it reached No.
3 on the Oricon Singles Chart and won the Gold Award at the 47th Japan Record Awards—a true hit.
Its lyrics, which express feelings left unsaid just before graduation, resonate with a bittersweet poignancy.
If there’s someone you want to share your feelings with, why not invite them to karaoke and sing it together before graduation?
The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46
Just as AKB48 has graduation songs like “10nen Zakura” and “Sakura no Ki ni Narō,” Nogizaka46 also has a graduation song: “Sayonara no Imi.” Many people grow apart after graduation as they head to university or start jobs.
This song seems to speak for that sadness.
The lyrics, with their “people grow stronger through farewells” vibe, are truly encouraging! The navy uniform costumes worn by the older Nogizaka members, contrasted with the younger members’ bordeaux uniforms, are very idol-like and super cute.
Be sure to check out the music video as a reference for karaoke, too!
Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu
This song, which was also chosen as the set piece for the junior high division of the NHK All-Japan School Choir Contest, is probably one many people sang in music class.
Graduating and moving on to your own path comes with a lot of anxiety, but this is a song that encourages you to keep going by reminding you of the bonds you share with your friends.
Song of DepartureMr.Children
Tabidachi no Uta is a song about parting, but it also sings of hope—for the future that awaits and for the friends you’ll surely meet again.
Many people feel lonely at graduation.
Tabidachi no Uta gently tells you, “But this isn’t the end,” and gives you a supportive push forward.
Karaoke during graduation season can easily turn somber.
This song is recommended for those who want to cheer on their friends as they set off, and for those who want to feel graduation as a new beginning.
Tomoë GakuenFukuyama Masaharu
This song by Masaharu Fukuyama was created as the theme song for the drama “Totto-chan!”.
Tomoe Gakuen was a school that once existed in Tokyo and appears in the drama as the school Tetsuko Kuroyanagi attended.
With that background, the lyrics are perfect for graduations, so I highly recommend it!
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
19, active from 1998 to 2002, was a band with a huge following at the time.
Their song “Sotsugyo no Uta, Tomodachi no Uta” features simple lyrics about school life and the importance of friends, and it remains popular today as a timeless track.
It’s a great choice for getting everyone hyped with handclaps and tambourines.
If you’re in a band, practicing and singing it together with your mates can instantly make a karaoke session feel like a live concert.
It’s also a song that teachers would appreciate receiving as a dedication.
Full of memoriesH₂O
Released in 1983, this is one of H2O’s signature songs.
With lyrics that liken the other person to Cinderella, it’s a tune that people of all generations likely know.
Even as time passes, Omoi-de ga Ippai remains beloved; its beautiful melody transcends eras.
It suits male vocals, of course, but women can sing it too and enjoy a different vibe.
You’ll likely earn respect from classmates with comments like “I know that song” or “It’s a great song—who’s it by?” It’s a perfect choice for those who don’t want to pick trendy hits and prefer something with a bit more character.