Memories come flooding back! Graduation songs recommended for the Yutori generation
Speaking of graduation, it’s a major event that could be called a turning point in life.
When the everyday you took for granted comes to an end and you stand at a crossroads to leap into a new world, a variety of emotions well up—joy and anticipation, as well as anxiety and bittersweet feelings.
This time, we’ve put together a list of classic J-pop songs to color your graduation, tailored for the yutori generation.
It’s a wide-ranging list from upbeat tracks to sentimental numbers, so be sure to check it out to the end!
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Memories come flooding back! Graduation songs recommended for the Yutori generation (1–10)
Thank youikimonogakari
Feelings of gratitude that are too embarrassing to express on ordinary days might be easier to convey honestly at graduation.
This song, which portrays the warmth of holding someone’s hand, the happiness of everyday life, and the resolve to walk toward the future, is truly a classic befitting a new beginning.
Ikimono-gakari’s single “Arigatou,” released in May 2010, was widely loved as the theme song for the NHK morning drama Gegege no Nyōbō.
Thanks to its universal appeal, it was also selected as the entrance march for the 2011 National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.
The words woven by Yoshiki Mizuno and the vocals of Kiyoe Yoshioka gently resonate with listeners’ hearts.
Why not listen to this perfect piece for expressing gratitude to parents and teachers at graduation and find the courage to take your next step?
About meMrs. GREEN APPLE
A grand, moving rock ballad that teaches us the wonder and preciousness of life.
It’s a song by the rock band Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, released in January 2019 as their eighth single.
Written as the support song for the 97th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament, it resonates not only with the victors but also with the stories of those who fall short, and its warmth is part of its appeal.
Vocalist Motoki Omori has said he was conscious of not saying “Just try your best” irresponsibly, and the song carries a profound message that affirms even days when things don’t go well and the feeling of loneliness.
Standing at the major milestone of graduation, you may feel not only excitement but also waves of anxiety and uncertainty.
In such moments, this masterpiece gives you the courage to walk your own path and makes you feel the miracle of being alive.
spring skySuzuki Suzuki
Suzuki Suzuki’s moving graduation ballad “Haru Sora” gently resonates with the heart.
The shifting emotions of a protagonist leaving their hometown for Tokyo are delicately expressed through the duo’s overlapping vocals.
You can feel the seasonal air where the sadness of parting mingles with hope for the future, making it a song that truly strikes a chord.
Released as a digital single in February 2022, it was later included on their first album, “313.” Why not listen while reflecting on your own graduation memories?
Memories Resurface! Recommended Graduation Songs for the Yutori Generation (11–20)
KanadeSukima Suichi
This song is a beautiful ballad that portrays parting with someone dear and the wish to stay connected at heart beyond that farewell.
Released by Sukima Switch in March 2004 as their second single, it features a sentimental sound centered on piano and guitar that truly resonates.
It was used as an insert song for the film “Rough,” the theme song for the drama “Sotsu Uta,” and in 2006 was selected as the ending theme for the final day of “Netto Koshien.” The protagonist’s earnest desire to reach someone through voice and song even when apart mirrors the feelings of junior high school students facing the milestone of graduation.
It’s a track that, while looking back on days with friends, makes you want to cherish those bonds going forward.
Sung as a chorus, it would surely fill the entire venue with warm tears.
Song of a FriendBUMP OF CHICKEN
A warm ballad that gently seeps into the heart and makes you want to express honest gratitude to your friends.
Released as a single in 2011, this work was created as the theme song for the film Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Winged Angels.
It conveys a pure, profound bond that only BUMP OF CHICKEN—whose members are all childhood friends—could portray.
No matter how many detours we take, the memories we shared together turn into courage—this message tenderly supports anxious hearts during graduation season.
An unforgettable masterpiece that deeply resonates with the so-called “yutori generation,” it’s a song that’s impossible to listen to without tears.
I’ll be by your side no matter what.erica
Erica’s track portrays the preciousness of simply staying quietly by someone’s side when they’re hurting or anxious.
The lyrics, imbued with a strong will to care for the other person, and the gentle yet powerful melody make it a song you’ll want to hear during graduation season, when farewells and new beginnings intertwine.
It’s included on the single “Even If the World Ended Today / I’ll Always Be by Your Side,” released in March 2017, and it also drew attention as an insert song for the TBS variety show “Koin Toss Season 5.”
spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE
A song that captures a fleeting moment of youth where anticipation and anxiety intertwine against a backdrop of cherry blossoms dancing in the spring.
The delicate lyrics woven by Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s vocalist, Motoki Omori, brilliantly express complex emotions.
Released in February 2018, the piece is rooted in pop rock yet leaves a lasting impression with its somewhat melancholic melody.
It’s a track that brings back memories of those special spring days just before leaping into a new environment.
An emotional youth anthem perfect for the graduation season.