[Graduation Songs] Choral pieces perfect for singing at elementary school graduation ceremonies: A collection of moving classics

There are so many songs you might want to sing at a graduation ceremony—classic choir pieces, memorable songs you sang often in school—that it can be hard to choose.

In this article, we’ll introduce recommended songs for elementary school graduation ceremonies, focusing on choral works and popular J-POP graduation songs.

We’ve carefully selected pieces that perfectly fit the moment of leaving the familiar world of elementary school and taking a new step forward.

As you look back on your memories, choose wonderful songs that will color the children’s send-off!

Playlist

[Graduation Songs] Choral pieces perfect for singing at elementary school graduation ceremonies: A collection of moving classics
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	On the Day of DepartureSakushi: Kojima Noboru / Sakkyoku: Sakamoto Hiromi		Popular songs for graduation ceremonies, melodies that resonate with the heart
2	Song of LifeTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi's 'Song of Life' is sung at graduation ceremonies.
3	bondYamazaki Tomoko		Gratitude and love for the friendships built at school
4	Friend ~Time of Departure~yuzu		A graduation song filled with friendship and gratitude that resonates with the heart
5	ultramarineSakkyoku: Oda Miki		Made by students from Fukushima: a story of friendship and love for their hometown
6	The Last ChimeYamamoto Emiko		An emotional, popular song sung at graduation ceremonies
7	TOMORROWLyrics and Composition: Sugimoto Ryūichi		The moving classic about hope and setting out, “BELIEVE”
8	Goodbye until we meet again.Sakushi: Murata Sachiko / Sakkyoku: Shiraishi Tetsuya		A graduation chorus song that sings of parting and the hope of reunion
9	Kitearashi		A song from Arashi that sends a message to the future, evoking dreams and hopes.
10	the world of dreamssakushi: furō akiko / sakkyoku: hashimoto shōji		A graduation song that sings of natural scenery and feelings for friends
11	Go beyondSakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensuke		The graduation song “Go Beyond” embodies hope for the future.
12	Thank youikimonogakari		A heartwarming song filled with gratitude
13	Letter ~To You, Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A letter to a 15-year-old, a song that resonates in the graduation season
14	In place of wingsSakushi Sakkyoku: Yugeda Kensuke		The appeal of classic graduation songs and lyrics of gratitude
15	The day called tomorrowNatsukawa Rimi		A heartwarming anthem of encouragement that sings of hope and strength
16	YELLikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari’s graduation song “YELL”
17	Sakura (2019)Moriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s “Sakura” is a classic song about graduation.
18	cherry blossomKobukuro		A song that conveys the emotion of graduation: a masterpiece by Kobukuro
19	We Look Up to You with Respectshouka		The History of the Classic Graduation Song “Aogeba Tōtoshi”
20	Thank you · GoodbyeSakushi: Ide Takao / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako		A heartwarming classic imbued with the sentiments of graduation
21	Precious thingsYamazaki Tomoko		A heartwarming and moving choral classic for graduation ceremonies by Tomoko Yamazaki
22	To You — A Message for Your DepartureSakushi Sakkyoku: Tsutsui Masako		A message to the graduates, a song for their departure
23	We againSG		A heartwarming song that gently embraces the memories of graduation
24	On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai		Ai Kawashima’s graduation song, a masterpiece that delivers moving emotions
25	Best friendSnow Man		A heartwarming friendship song filled with gratitude to a best friend
26	Unchanging ThingsYamazaki Tomoko		Tomoko Yamazaki’s Graduation Song: Determination for the Future and Gratitude
27	Somewhere on this EarthWakamatsu Kan		A classic graduation song, a timeless piece that delivers heartfelt emotion
28	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		A timeless, heartfelt song that captures the feelings of youth
29	COSMOSMimas		A graduation chorus composed by Aquamarine’s Mimas, likened to stars and the sky.
30	Gift SongCHiCO with HoneyWorks		The beauty and emotion of HoneyWorks’ graduation songs
31	March 9Remioromen		A beloved classic as a graduation song that moves people to tears.
32	DepartureFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A powerful cheer song perfect for graduation ceremonies
33	Best FriendKiroro		A moving graduation song that portrays friendship and moving forward
34	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		A heart-touching “Eikou no Kakehashi” by Yuzu
35	To the next skyYugeda Kensuke		Kensuke Yugeda’s moving graduation song
36	footprint(s)Little Glee Monster		A song that gives you the courage to face forward and move into the future.
37	Everyone, everyone is shining.Yugeda Kensuke		A message of encouragement to children singing of spring's hope
38	My friend—now and forever…Ketsumeishi		A friendship song filled with the emotion of graduation
39	HarukaYOASOBI		Turning a novel into music, depicting feelings of gratitude
40	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		Expressing a life-encouragement song through paper airplanes
41	To the wide worldHashimoto Yoshiji		An inspiring farewell song to sing at the graduation ceremony
42	Cherry Blossom Rainabuzōbu fiito. hatsune miku		A collaboration song by Hatsune Miku and absorb
43	Just the way you areMatsui Takao		Takao Matsui’s famous song, beloved as a graduation song
44	sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI		Sazanka: A graduation song to encourage your friends and yourself
45	Song of FledgingSakushi: Murano Shirō / Sakkyoku: Iwakawa Saburō		A classic graduation song that's bright and easy to sing.
46	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		EXILE’s graduation song “Michi” resonates with the heart.
47	Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster		A bright, hopeful song for elementary school graduation
48	hometownarashi		A heartwarming song about departure and one’s hometown
49	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		A graduation song classic: GReeeeN “Haruka”
50	Kaiju no Hanabuta (Monster’s Flower Song)Vaundy		Vaundy’s coming-of-age song stirs the heart
51	globeYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu to produce the theme song for a Hayao Miyazaki film
52	Song of SpringFujihara Sakura		A moving springtime song that encourages new beginnings
53	RPGSEKAI NO OWARI		SEKAI NO OWARI’s upbeat theme song gives you courage.
54	Last SongOfisharu Higedan Dism		A moving song that gently embraces farewell and hope
55	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		A refreshing classic to celebrate the start of graduation
56	Smile ~You Are Not Alone~shiori		An anthem that gives the courage to overcome difficulties
57	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		Farewells aren’t an end but a step toward the future.
58	I’m glad I met you.Inoue Sonoko		Sonoko Inoue’s moving song that sings about the treasures of everyday life
59	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		A moving classic that portrays the bonds of friendship
60	GraduationKobukuro		An inspiring song filled with feelings toward graduation
61	Hymn to the EarthSatō Makoto		The graduation song “Daichi Sansho” is a moving masterpiece.
62	Please give me wingsakai tori		“Tsubasa wo Kudasai” — a song that gives hope and courage for graduation
63	At any timeYugeda Kensuke		A gentle song that expresses gratitude at the milestone of turning ten
64	Time of DepartureHisaishi Joe		Joe Hisaishi’s graduation song, a song of hope and new beginnings
65	Tomoë GakuenFukuyama Masaharu		Totto-chan! Singing of freedom and happiness in life
66	proofflumpool		Moved by flumpool’s graduation song “Akashi”
67	Connected SkyYamazaki Tomoko		A song that carries six years of memories and steps into the future
68	BELIEVESugimoto Ryuichi		An inspiring graduation song, “BELIEVE”
69	Futabaaimyon		A graduation song that depicts hope for growth and farewells
70	Country RoadHon’na Yoko		The Appeal of Studio Ghibli’s Graduation Songs
71	Shining in my heartHashimoto Yoshiji		A heartwarming song that cherishes memories of the graduation ceremony
72	To the futureKiroro		Moving toward the future with elementary school memories in our hearts
73	Wings nowMorimoto Shōroku		The gentle song that echoes at graduation, 'Wings Now'
74	my graduationSPEED		The classic graduation song “my graduation.”
75	Thank you, goodbye.minna no uta		A song that expresses gratitude and hope for the future at a graduation ceremony
76	People and PeopleYugeda Kensuke		Warm music that sings about the importance of encounters
77	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		A classic SMAP song that cherishes each individual's uniqueness.
78	threadBank Band		Miyuki Nakajima's 'Ito' is an anthem that cheers on life.
79	The day called tomorrowYagisawa Kyoji		A graduation song composed from a poet’s poem that resonates with the heart
80	Light of Firefliesshouka		A Scottish folk song of farewell
81	Sakuraayaka		Ayaka’s classic that sings of the loneliness of graduation
82	cherry blossomFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A moving song filled with feelings about graduation and the future
83	Goodbye, my friend.Sakushi: Sakata Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Kurosawa Yoshinori		A classic song that sings of farewells and hope in the graduation season
84	pupilŌhara Sakurako		Sakurako Ohara’s youth song “Hitomi”
85	The wind is blowing.ikimonogakari		Ikimonogakari’s graduation song resonates with the heart.
86	Words of FarewellKaientai		The moving feeling of the graduation song ‘On the Day We Set Out’
87	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		A classic by Yumi Arai to present at the graduation ceremony
88	In springKinoshita Makiko		Song of spring, depicting hope and anxiety for the future
89	Cherry blossom seasonEXILE		EXILE ATSUSHI’s graduation song portrays parting and hope.
90	YELL ~Cheer~Kobukuro		A song that gives you the courage to face forward and move on