Yumi Arai’s Graduation Songs, Entrance Ceremony Songs, and Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Graduation PhotoArai Yumi1rank/position

Graduation Photograph / Sotsugyou Shashin (2022 Ｍix)

A classic graduation song that has been sung across generations, this number by Yumi Arai was originally released in February 1975 as a song provided to Hi-Fi Set, and then self-covered on her third album, COBALT HOUR, released in June of the same year.

Rather than capturing the moving moments of a graduation ceremony, the lyrics portray the stirring of the heart when, after time has passed, you find yourself opening an old photo.

The contrast between the changing self and the unchanging gaze within the photograph evokes personal memories for each listener.

It was featured in a Kirin Lager Beer commercial in 2007 and in the Fuji TV drama “Sotsu Uta” in 2010, among other appearances, and it continues to be loved over the years.

It’s a song that stands by not only those approaching graduation, but also anyone who wants to quietly look back on days gone by.

Close your eyesArai Yumi2rank/position

Goto Islands Naru High School Favorite Song Written and Composed by Yumi Arai “Close Your Eyes”

This song was created after a female student from a certain high school in 1974 wrote to the All Night Nippon segment “We’ll make a personal image song just for you,” asking them to compose a school song.

Although it did not become the official school anthem, it came to be treated as a beloved song, and in that region it is played not only at graduation ceremonies but also when ships depart carrying island residents who are leaving the island.

contrailArai Yumi3rank/position

Contrail (Vapour Trail) – Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya)

This is the song that was used as the theme for the 2013 Studio Ghibli film The Wind Rises.

The lyrics are mysterious, and the overall melody moves along at a gentle pace.

If you look into the background of how the piece was created, you’ll understand the reason behind its enigmatic worldview.