[Instagram Reels] Moving J-POP and Heart-Touching Classics Perfect for Graduation Season [2026]
As graduation season approaches, many of you might be on the lookout for moving songs that are perfect for slideshows or Instagram Reels.
When you pair your photos with music, even ordinary moments from daily life can come back to you as special memories.
In this article, we’ve gathered heartfelt gems—centered on the latest J-POP hits born in the Reiwa era, along with nostalgic classics that never go out of style.
You’ll find tear-jerking graduation songs as well as uplifting anthems to support your next step.
Discover the one track that will convey your feelings in a video tribute for someone special!
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[Instagram Reels] Moving J-POP and Heart-Touching Classics for Graduation Season [2026] (21–30)
Sakura rollFunatsu Mahiro
With the arrival of spring, the song that makes me want to listen is Masho Funatsu’s “Sakura Roll,” released in March 2021.
The title is a coined word that blends “sakura” (cherry blossoms) with a smartphone’s “camera roll,” a clever touch that layers the fleeting season with the enduring nature of memories.
This piece, graced by the soothing sound of acoustic guitar, features high school singer Ren on chorus; the overlap of their voices creates a beautiful harmony where warmth and wistfulness coexist.
The lyrics capture a contemporary feeling—the desire to etch fleeting moments into the heart like photographs—and gently resonate with those facing graduation or a new chapter in life.
It’s a highly recommended song to send with gratitude, while reflecting on days spent with friends or a loved one.
Song SevenRADWIMPS
This classic RADWIMPS song opens with a warm, gospel-like chorus and flows into a gentle rap part—an impressive progression.
Included on the March 2009 album “Altcolony no Teiri,” it wasn’t released as a single, yet it has remained beloved by fans for years.
Its message—about a protagonist who lacks self-confidence but finds the world shining through the presence of someone precious—resonates deeply during graduation season, when we reaffirm our bonds with friends and lovers.
In recent years it has also enjoyed a resurgence on social media and is popular as background music for videos.
When you’re making a montage-style memory movie from photos and clips, its dramatic structure will only heighten the emotional impact.
YELLikimonogakari
YELL portrays farewell words not as something sad, but as a promise to soar into the future.
Released in September 2009, it is a single by Ikimonogakari, the musical group known for Kiyoe Yoshioka’s clear, expansive vocals.
Loved as the set piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition’s junior high division, the song speaks to the importance of starting to walk on your own feet while facing loneliness and anxiety.
Holding the days spent together in your heart, the lyrics convey the resolve to set off on separate paths, gently accompanying the tears and smiles of graduation season.
This piece adds a moving touch to school-life memory videos—woven from countless photos with friends from club activities, school trips, and more—so be sure to give it a listen.
Because we’re friends.Ochiai Wataru
Singer-songwriter Wataru Ochiai, whose warm voice and down-to-earth words resonate with many listeners.
Perfect for graduation season, “Tomodachi Yakarane” is a friendship song written in unpretentious language with a touch of Kansai dialect.
Its warm message—that even if you’re apart, the relationship doesn’t end—helps ease the sadness of parting.
Released as a digital single in February 2022, the song was also chosen as the tie-up track for Tokyo Dome City Attractions’ spring event “Welcome, Graduates 2023.” The lyrics, sprinkled with concrete memories from student days, are sure to awaken each listener’s own recollections.
How about giving it to a friend who’s graduating to convey your unchanging bond?
spring skySuzuki Suzuki
This is a ballad by the brother duo Suzuki Suzuki, featuring beautiful harmonies that resonate deeply.
Written in down-to-earth language, the song captures the anxiety and excitement of leaving your hometown at graduation to head somewhere new, along with the sadness of parting.
Rather than pushing you forward, its appeal lies in the gentle warmth that softly stays by your side through shifting emotions, making it a supportive companion for anyone starting a new chapter.
Released digitally in February 2022, it is also included on the album “313.” The music video drew attention for featuring popular video creators, and karaoke service DAM even ran a scoring battle campaign, offering not just a listening experience but plenty of ways to enjoy singing it as well.
Give it a listen when you’re bidding farewell to a dear friend, or as a cheer for yourself.