This is the definitive BGM for the graduation ceremony! A moving collection of songs you can use for everything from the entrance march to the thank-you party.

The Root of the HeartLyrics/Music: Minami Yume

Kokoro no Nekko [With Lyrics] – A Classic Song for Graduation Ceremonies

With its gentle, warm melody and lyrics that resonate in the heart, this piece is a graduation song celebrating children’s growth and new beginnings.

It tenderly portrays how the children have gradually stopped crying and no longer stumble, and how the days of shared laughter and tears take root in their hearts.

Recorded in October 2014 on the album “Omoide Ippai! Sotsuen Song,” it is sung by Yuko Doi and is widely performed at nursery and kindergarten graduation ceremonies.

It’s a perfect song for a ceremony that reflects children’s growth, so consider including it.

Adding simple choreography and singing it together would be wonderful, too.

Goodbye, Our Nursery/KindergartenShinzawa Toshihiko

Goodbye, Our Nursery/Kindergarten (No. 7) [Toshihiko Shinzawa 35th Anniversary Request Night] #8

If you’re looking for a heartwarming graduation song for preschool, how about this one? With lyrics written by Toshihiko Shinzawa, it gently captures memories from kindergarten and nursery school.

Its calm melody and moving lyrics make it perfect for a ceremony celebrating children’s growth.

Included on the album “SEASON,” released in July 1996, it later gained popularity as a single CD as well.

It’s a classic that has been loved for many years at kindergartens and nursery schools across Japan, so it’s also recommended as the closing song for a graduation ceremony.

Be sure to give this moving track a listen as you celebrate the children’s new beginning.

My TreasureNEW!NEUTRINO

My Treasure — Song: NEUTRINO (with lyrics)

This song gently accompanies the season of preschool graduation and moving up, soothing the sadness of farewells.

Written by a former childcare worker, the lyrics are filled with warmth, singing that the encounters and memories from preschool life are treasures.

Included on the album “Congratulations on Graduation from Preschool ~ Graduation Songs & Music Collection, sent with heartfelt thanks for all the smiles and energy you gave us,” released in December 2016, it has been cherished as a standard graduation song.

In this piece, NEUTRINO handles the vocals, and the clear, transparent voice delivers the message of the lyrics straight to the heart.

Sing it at a thank-you party or graduation ceremony, and the entire venue is sure to be moved.

Try singing it together with your child as you look back on preschool life and your precious memories.

To become friendsSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka

To Become Friends [With Lyrics] – A Graduation Ceremony Classic

Born from the collaboration between Toshihiko Shinzawa and Hirotaka Nakagawa, this song is a heartwarming piece that celebrates the importance of friendship.

Set to a bright, approachable melody, it gently speaks about how we relate to others and what happiness means.

Since its release in 1987, it has continued to be cherished by both children and adults.

It’s also popular at graduation ceremonies and events, where everyone can sing along and enjoy it together.

In 2017, an album commemorating its 30th anniversary was released, and the song continues to be passed down across generations.

Listening to it at moments of new beginnings—such as kindergarten graduations or school entrance ceremonies—will make it resonate even more.

It’s also highly recommended for adults who watch over children as they grow.

Kitearashi

ARASHI – Kite [Official Music Video]

A grand message song by Arashi that you’ll want to give to friends setting off on a new chapter.

Like a kite catching the wind and soaring high, it portrays the resolve to move forward despite uncertainty.

There’s a warmth in this song that gently watches over that figure and gives a soft push from behind.

The single “Kite,” released in 2020, was written and composed by Kenshi Yonezu as the “NHK 2020 Song.” It was also aired on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” making it beloved across generations.

Parting with friends is lonely, but the sentiment embedded in this work—“we’re connected no matter where we are”—will surely reach their hearts.

If everyone sings it together at a farewell party, it becomes the perfect cheer, powerfully supporting the future of the one setting out.

I’ve grown up.Irikura Miyako

Graduation song: “I’ve Grown Up”

We’d like to introduce a heartwarming song that’s perfect for graduation ceremonies at kindergartens and preschools.

Written and composed by Miyako Irikura, this wonderful piece celebrates children’s growth and their new beginnings.

It features a warm melody and relatable lyrics that reflect on memories from school life and express gratitude to teachers and friends.

Created in 2016 to mark the composer’s daughter’s graduation, the song has since been adopted by many schools and gained popularity.

One of its charms is that each school can create its own original version.

It’s ideal not only as background music for graduation ceremonies and thank-you parties, but also as a song for parents to enjoy.

Why not include it to help celebrate the children’s first steps into their next chapter?

A precious treasureSakushi / Sakkyoku: Shinzawa Toshihiko

[Precious Treasure] [Piano Solo] [With Lyrics] [High-Quality Audio] [High-Resolution Video] [Preschool Graduation] [Piano]

With a warm singing voice that gently connects with children’s hearts, Toshihiko Shinzawa’s work truly resonates.

Its melody is perfect for a graduation ceremony, and the option to incorporate sign language while singing is especially appealing.

Included on an album released in August 2003, it also comes with a karaoke version, making it easy to use for recitals.

Highly recommended for nursery and kindergarten teachers, as well as parents who are watching their children grow.

It’s sure to become a wonderful song that colors a page of children’s memories.

Please give it a listen!