[Song for a Departure] A send-off song for you. A classic masterpiece among departure songs.
Starting a new chapter—whether it’s pursuing further education, changing jobs, or chasing your dreams in a new place—there are many kinds of departures in life.
Leaving the familiar and stepping into a new environment is never easy, and you may face many tough moments along the way.
Here, we’ll introduce uplifting songs to cheer you on—songs for setting out, graduation songs that give you the courage to keep going in a new place.
We’ve carefully selected powerful anthems that will push you forward as you take your next step, and that are also perfect for sending to the dear friends and companions who are about to embark on their own journeys.
- [A Life-Affirming Anthem] An Encouraging Song to Cheer You On
- [Deeply Moving] A Tear-Jerking Cheer Song: Popular Inspirational Anthems That Resonate with the Heart
- Farewell Song: A goodbye song. A tearful parting song.
- Boost your new life and new school term! A top pick of encouragement songs that connect to the future
- Songs That Touch the Heart! Tearjerkers to Sing at Farewell Parties & A Collection of Song Ideas to Send Off
- An uplifting song with great lyrics. A wonderful, memorable message that stays with your heart.
- [Gratitude, Encouragement, Memories] Tear-Jerking Graduation Songs You Can’t Listen to Without Crying [2026]
- A Collection of Moving Graduation Songs You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke! [Farewells, Friendship, and Fight Songs]
- [New Beginnings] Introducing Cheer Songs and Spring Tunes to Encourage You as You Move!
- Job-change anthems: inspiring and popular songs that give you courage
- [2026] Uplifting Songs for Graduation: J-POP Graduation Songs and Anthems
- Recommended graduation songs for men: tracks that cheer you on as you embark on a new journey
- A farewell song for a dear friend—an uplifting graduation song that conveys heartfelt gratitude.
[Song of Departure] A farewell song I dedicate to you. Classic departure songs (21–30)
Critical HitRADWIMPS
It’s a powerful RADWIMPS track with a sense of speed, like sprinting toward the future.
The contrast between the two guitars—one with a heavy, weighty tone and the other playing brisk, choppy rhythms—is another intriguing highlight.
From the lyrics, you can feel a strong resolve to overcome adversity and move toward a radiant future.
Even though much of it seems to depict the world’s absurdities and suffering, the driving sound evokes a vivid image of hope for the future and an indomitable spirit.
Endless JourneyMr.Children
It’s a song with a calm atmosphere yet a powerful sense of steady, step-by-step progress.
Because it was released as the single marking Mr.Children’s return to activity, many people may associate it with a fresh start.
While gently accompanying the kind of painful emotions everyone experiences in life, it calls out to us with the message that a bright future awaits beyond them.
It feels like a warm anthem of encouragement that inspires you to summon your courage and take on something new.
The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46
This is the song you’ll want to listen to when you want to carry not only the sadness of parting but also gratitude for having met.
Released in November 2016 as Nogizaka46’s 16th single, it is also known as Nanami Hashimoto’s final single as center.
It became the group’s first million-certified release and was performed at the 67th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen that year.
It’s a track especially suited for those facing graduation and feeling anxious about being separated from dear friends.
Its warm message sinks in, teaching us that “goodbye” isn’t merely an ending but a stepping stone to becoming stronger.
As a cherished anthem that gives you the courage to take a new step, why not send it to a friend who’s setting out on a new journey?
Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki
Noriyuki Makihara’s “Tōku Tōku” is filled with the desire to show friends and family back in one’s distant hometown that you’re doing your best.
Although it’s an album track included on “Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono,” it has gained popularity and has been covered by various artists, including May J.
and 175R.
Makihara himself is said to have written the song while thinking of his friends in his hometown.
Many people end up far from home to pursue their dreams or start a job.
There may be times when you want to go back, but since you’ve decided to make it here, you want everyone back home to see you working hard right where you are.
It’s a song imbued with that feeling—one that supports you as you strive to make your dreams come true.
JourneyFuji Kaze
Fujii Kaze’s “Tabiji” is a song that lets you set off wrapped in warm memories.
Chosen as the theme song for the drama “Nijiiro Karte,” starring Mitsuki Takahata, it brought gentle tears alongside the show.
As we continue along our long lives ahead, we’ll go through so many joyful and painful experiences, and once they pass, they all become memories…
That’s how we move through life.
But no matter when, the many days that have turned into memories will protect us.
It’s a song that carries that feeling.
It’s also perfect as background music for the day you set out on a new path!
To You — A Message for Your Departure
Even if a song isn’t sung by a famous singer or a popular celebrity, a good piece of music can still reach a wide audience.
A prime example, I believe, is “To You — A Message for Your Departure.” For the record, as song data: it’s the seventh track in the mixed-voice choral suite “Goddess of Time (Venus).” Both lyrics and music are by Masako Tsutsui.
The lyrics say, “We lose our way in life and grow weary, and at times we bear sorrow.
But it is precisely because of that sorrow that people can become gentle.” It’s a perfect fit for spring, when many set out on a new path in life.
Just reading the lyrics can give you courage.
And when your new life from spring onward feels like it might break you, turn to it, too!
STARTING OVERLittle Glee Monster
Little Glee Monster’s “STARTING OVER” brings smiles in moments of lonely farewells.
Included on the album “BRIGHT NEW WORLD,” the song was chosen as the theme for the drama “Wasteful Days of High School Girls” starring Yui Okada.
With a bright, energetic melody that’s quintessentially Little Glee Monster, it turns flowing tears into beaming smiles! Even if parting feels sad now, we’ll definitely meet again.
When we do, let’s do lots of things together and have a great time! That’s the sentiment woven into the song.
Farewells can often feel like they’ll last forever, but this Little Glee Monster track shines a light on those gloomy feelings.