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[Showa-Era Graduation Songs] Nostalgic? Emotive? A curated selection of timeless classics loved across generations
Graduation songs are ones you start hearing everywhere from around February.
Every year, numerous tracks related to graduation are released.
And many people can vividly remember the songs that were hits when they graduated.
In this article, we’ve gathered graduation songs that were released during the Showa era and became hits.
Among these classics are songs that are still beloved decades after their release, as well as tracks experiencing revival hits on social media.
If you’re from the Showa generation, enjoy the nostalgia; if not, discover them with fresh ears and enjoy these Showa hit songs.
[Showa-Era Graduation Songs] Nostalgic? Emo? Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations (1–10)
Song of FledgingSakushi: Murano Shirō, Sakkyoku: Iwakawa Saburō
As a choral piece themed around graduation, this work has been sung in schools for many years.
The lyrics were written by Shiro Murano, a poet who represents early Showa-era modernist poetry.
The composer is Saburo Iwagawa, known for numerous school choir works, and the piece was created in 1965.
It begins with imagery that evokes the signs of spring, then reflects on days spent at school, culminating in a moving expression of gratitude and farewell to teachers and friends.
It has been loved across generations, having been included in the 2005 compilation “Tabidachi no Hi ni ~ Graduation Song Best ~,” and covered by Anemoneria in 2021 as the theme song for the TV anime “Wonder Egg Priority.” It’s a classic that gives courage to take a hopeful first step—not only for those who remember singing it at their graduation, but also for anyone about to embark on a new journey.
Strawberry Statement, Once Againbanban
This folk song classic vividly revives the bittersweet memories of school-days romance through the medium of cinema.
Released in August 1975 as Banban’s fifth single, the track was written and composed by Yumi Matsutoya, who was then active under the name Yumi Arai.
It became the group’s biggest hit, topping the weekly charts and selling a total of about 750,000 copies.
The film title included in the song’s name refers to an American movie released in 1970, serving as an emblematic sign of youth.
Years later, the song was also used as an insert track in the TV drama “To Friday’s Wives II: Men, Are You Doing Well?” and has been loved across generations.
It’s a song for anyone whose heart is stirred by simple memories—ditching class to catch a movie, a rain-soaked poster—brought back in a rush.
GraduationHikaru GENJI
Hikaru Genji, who became a social phenomenon in the late-1980s idol scene.
Released in November 1987 as the B-side to their second single “Glass no Jūdai,” this track is an unusually beloved graduation song despite being on the flip side.
With lyrics by Ryo Asuka and music by CHAGE, it was also included on the album “Hikaru Genji,” released in January 1988.
The lyrics, which resonate deeply, carefully depict the emotional sway of not ending a farewell in sorrow alone, but holding it as a memory while stepping forward.
It’s a song that showcases the group’s more emotional side, known otherwise for their dazzling performances.
In September 1995, during their pre-disbandment appearance on TV Asahi’s Music Station, a staging choice in which the members removed their roller skates near the end of the song became a hot topic.
Recommended for those who want to feel both poignancy and hope at the start of spring.
Youth—When the Sun Rises in the Sky AgainZa Burodosaito Fō
This song, which left its mark on many hearts as the theme for the 1966 Fuji TV drama series “Wakamonotachi” (The Young Ones), features lyrics by Toshio Fujita and music and arrangement by film-score master Masaru Sato, performed by The Broadside Four.
Eschewing flashy technique, its melody carefully shapes the contours of each word, giving it a singable strength that anyone can hum.
Rather than loudly proclaiming hope, the lyrics portray people gritting their teeth and continuing to walk on; the ethic of repetition—setting out again when dawn breaks—resonates deeply.
Selling around 300,000 copies at the time, it was later covered by many artists, including Kyu Sakamoto and Naotaro Moriyama, and has been adopted in school music curricula.
It’s a song I especially recommend to those stepping onto a new path at graduation or facing a turning point in life.
Ya Ya (I Won’t Forget That Era)Sazan Ōrusutāzu
A single released in 1982 by Southern All Stars, one of Japan’s iconic rock bands.
Though they’re often associated with summer and a lively image, this work is a ballad that tenderly reflects on days gone by, and it has left a deep impression on many fans.
The lyrics mention the name of the light music club that Keisuke Kuwata belonged to during his time at Aoyama Gakuin University, and it’s said that scenes from the campus are woven into the song.
These depictions, grounded in real experience, resonate with listeners’ own youthful memories and evoke empathy across generations.
In 1995, the song was included in high school music textbooks, a recognition of its excellence as a piece of pop music within educational settings.
It was also used in a commercial for Mazda’s MPV.
It’s a perfect song to listen to during graduation season for anyone wishing to look back on irreplaceable moments.
youthIwasaki Yoshimi
A ballad by Yoshimi Iwasaki that etched itself into many fans’ hearts as the ending theme of the 1985 TV anime Touch.
The lyrics, sprinkled with symbols of student life—like the bench by the field and the buttons on a school uniform—delicately portray the ache of passing time and feelings too deep for words.
Hiroaki Serizawa’s calm melody layered with Iwasaki’s clear, transparent vocals creates an airy sense of nostalgia.
Released as the B-side to her 21st single, “Ai ga Hitoribocchi,” the single reached No.
10 on the Oricon charts.
In 1986, it was also chosen as the entrance march for the 58th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, gaining popularity beyond the realm of anime.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to quietly reflect during graduation season or gently awaken the emotions of days gone by.
While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki
This ballad, which can be called Hideaki Tokunaga’s breakout work, delicately portrays the wavering emotions of youth.
It sings of opening the door to adulthood while staying true to oneself, and the anxieties and hopes of young people on the verge of graduation strike close to the heart.
Released in July 1987 as his fourth single, it became a major hit, peaking at No.
4 on the Oricon chart and selling approximately 280,000 copies.
Its use in a Fujifilm commercial rapidly boosted its recognition, and it continues to shine with an unfading charm.
The sound, a fusion of kayōkyoku and AOR, is nostalgic yet refreshing, gently enveloping the listener’s heart.
It’s a song I especially recommend to those about to take a new step forward, or to anyone who wants to keep moving ahead while looking back on the past.