[Instagram Reels] Moving J-POP and Heart-Touching Classics Perfect for Graduation Season [2026]

Futabaaimyon

Aimyon – Futaba [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This is Aimyon’s warm, encouraging song, woven from and embracing the real emotions of 18-year-olds.

Created based on message videos submitted by 1,000 young people from across Japan, it delicately depicts the unique anxieties and hopes of the transition into adulthood.

Written as the theme song for NHK’s project “Aimyon 18 Festival,” it was released digitally in March 2022.

Later, it was included as the opening track on the album “Hitomi e Ochiruyo Record,” marking it as an important number.

It’s a perfect song for those about to leap into the unknown, or for graduates who, while carrying a touch of loneliness, are determined to look forward.

Be sure to listen to this piece on your special day of new beginnings—you’ll find the courage to break out of your shell and move ahead.

YELLikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “YELL” Music Video

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

Wataru Ochiai – Because We’re Friends (Music Video)

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

【Graduation】Spring Sky – Suzuki Suzuki【Official Music Video】

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.

Dear,Snow Man

Dear,

A moving song from Snow Man, the now nationally beloved idol group known for their acrobatic dance and diverse personalities.

Included on their first best-of album, THE BEST 2020‑2025, released in January 2025, it’s a warm medium-tempo ballad that expresses gratitude to fans on their fifth anniversary.

The gentle piano and strings that seem to wrap you in a hug make it perfect for Instagram Stories that look back on memories with mentors and friends.

Centered on the themes of overflowing love and bonds, this track can convey your appreciation even more deeply when played over a simple slideshow of everyday photos.

It’s a number you’ll want to add as a message to someone special, one that leaves warmth rather than sadness during the season of farewells.