[Songs to Listen to in March] Classic Spring Tracks and Moving Songs About Meetings and Partings

Cherry Blossom BookmarkNEW!AKB48

[MV full] Sakura no Shiori / AKB48 [Official]

This work by AKB48, a group that represents the idol scene since the 2000s, is a full-fledged choral piece themed around springtime farewells and new beginnings.

The lyrics liken hope for the future to a “bookmark,” and the beautiful harmonies arranged by Kenichi Mitsuda are captivating—it’s so well-crafted that it’s even sung at real graduation ceremonies.

Released as a single in February 2010, it was also used as the theme song for the TV drama Majisuka Gakuen.

In the music video directed by Shunji Iwai, every member wears a different hakama, with meticulous attention to detail in the staging.

Centered by Minami Takahashi and Atsuko Maeda, this moving song is a perfect fit for March, when people take their first steps into a new chapter.

Don’t bloom.NEW!WHITE JAM

[This year's No.1 graduation song] [MV] Don't Bloom / WHITE JAM [Blackboard Art Ver.]

A ballad by WHITE JAM that portrays farewells during graduation season, set to a heartrending piano melody.

The lyrics, which let slip the honest feeling of not wanting to part even while wishing the other person a happy future, are enough to bring you to tears.

Released as a single in February 2016, it was featured as the opening theme for TV Tokyo’s “Chō Ryūha” and as the support song for the first “Nichigaku Chalkboard Art Koshien.” The video using chalkboard art and a large-scale choral project involving about 10,000 people also drew attention, capturing the hearts of many through social media.

Included on the best-of album “WHITE JAM BEST,” this moving song is recommended for graduates taking their first steps forward and for anyone seeing off someone dear.

On a tranquil spring day of lightNEW!UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

Hikari Nodokeki Harunohini

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN is a three-piece rock band known for their high-level musicianship and catchy melodies.

This track, which graces the middle section of their February 2013 album “CIDER ROAD,” is a grand ballad that unfolds over roughly six minutes.

In contrast to their usual breakneck pace, the pared-down, simple ensemble delivers the clear, transparent vocals straight to the listener.

Eschewing flashy wordplay, the lyrics carefully depict scenes of spring found in everyday life and the subtle shifts of emotion, quietly seeping into the listener’s heart.

It’s a song you’ll want to savor while feeling the gentle warmth of spring—perfect for those who wish to immerse themselves deeply in the world of its lyrics.

Bye-Good-ByeNEW!BE:FIRST

BE:FIRST / Bye-Good-Bye -Music Video-

Set to an exhilarating beat, this uplifting dance number portrays springtime partings in a positive light.

Known as a signature song by the dance and vocal group BE:FIRST, it was released for streaming in March 2022.

It also drew attention when it was chosen as the theme song for the Nippon TV morning drama “Sayonara no Sono Mae ni: Fantastic 31 Days.” The lyrics treat “goodbye” not as an ending but as a starting line for what comes next, blending forward-looking strength with a touch of heartbreak.

Its immense popularity is evident from surpassing 200 million streams in 2024.

Honored with the Excellence Award at the 64th Japan Record Awards, the track’s solid quality shines through.

It’s the perfect song for anyone who wants to blow away anxieties about a new chapter and take a bright first step forward.

cherry blossom breezeNEW!botchiboromaru

Sakurakaze / Bocchi Boromaru (Music Video) | TV Anime “Class 3-Z Teacher Ginpachi” Opening Theme

Artist Bocchi Boromaru has been winning support mainly online with a unique lyrical world that affirms “being alone” and a free, genre-defying musicality.

The single Sakurakaze, released in November 2025, was written as the opening theme for the popular TV anime Class 3-Z Ginpachi-sensei and became a major talking point.

Its message—strongly pushing you forward while holding onto the sparkle and struggles of student days—seems to fit perfectly with the atmosphere of March, when graduations and new beginnings are near.

It’s a positive number with a refreshing sound filled with deep love and respect for the Gintama series, a song you’ll want to belt out at spring karaoke.

March BrideNEW!Chōkyūmei

"March Bride" MV / Chokyuumei

Since their formation in 2020, Chōkyūmei have gained attention following a hit on social media.

As a “song you want to hear in March,” here’s one of their classic tracks perfect for the arrival of spring.

Released in February 2022, this piece was written specifically as the opening theme for the MBS drama slot “Ase to Sekken.” Vocalist Rei handled both lyrics and composition, crafting a straightforward love song that portrays the exhilaration of being in love and the impulse to hold the other person close.

It was later included on the album “Surudoi Sasakure” and is cherished as one of the band’s signature songs.

As the title suggests, it carries the seasonal feeling of March, when life changes with graduations and transfers; it’s an ideal track for those who want to reaffirm their feelings for someone important during this time when farewells and new encounters intersect.

Late-blooming cherry blossomsNEW!AKB48

Nagorizakura

A spring song with a poignant, nostalgic melody perfectly suited to the season of meetings and farewells.

The title track of AKB48’s 67th single, released in February 2026, portrays a bittersweet longing for the days of youth that have passed, along with a faint hope for the future.

Nineteenth-generation member Momoka Ito was chosen as center, making this an important song that heralds a new beginning in the group’s 21st year.

The coupling tracks include a unique concept song born from the TV program “Yasushi Akimoto vs AI Yasushi Akimoto,” offering a multifaceted appeal.

It carries a warmth that makes you want to stop and listen during that time when you take off your school uniform and step into a new world, filled with both anxiety and anticipation.