[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.
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[Showa-Era Graduation Songs] Nostalgic? Emo? Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations (1–10)
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.
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.
Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie
In 1983 (Showa 58), everyone had school days filled with unfading memories.
The song that gently, wistfully brings those memories back is Yoshie Kashiwabara’s “Haru na no ni.” This piece, which depicts the season of partings known as graduation, was written by Miyuki Nakajima.
It captures the loneliness of farewells that arrives with spring.
The heart-wrenching poignancy that tightens the chest amid the brilliance of the season etches itself deeply into the listener’s heart.
As fleeting yet beautiful as blossoms before they fall, the lyrics are likely why the song continues to be loved by many, even as times change.
It’s a masterpiece that colors a page of bygone youth.
Love Dial 6700Fingā 5
With an intro that mimics the ring of a rotary telephone and a spirited call that grabs your attention, this is a signature song by Finger Five.
Written and composed by Yu Aku and Tadao Inoue, it’s a breezy dance number that blends R&B and rock ’n’ roll elements into Japanese pop.
The catchy phone-number motif, set on the eve of a graduation ceremony, leaves an unforgettable impact once you hear it.
Released in December 1973, the song topped the Oricon weekly chart for four consecutive weeks and became a massive hit with over 1.6 million copies sold.
The following year, it was also used as the theme song for the film “The Great Adventure of Finger Five.” The soulful groove created by the five Okinawan siblings, paired with the charming vocals of the youngest sister, Taeko, weaves a harmony that lifts the spirits across generations.
It’s a perfect pick for those who want a bright boost during the season of farewells.
Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi
This was the 11th single, released in September 1977, with a well-known episode that 18-year-old Hiromi Iwasaki, fresh out of high school, was moved to tears by the lyrics during the recording.
Written by Yū Aku and composed by Takashi Miki, the song peaked at No.
6 on the Oricon chart and won the Vocal Performance Award at the 19th Japan Record Awards.
Its lyrics, which portray the loss of youth along with an autumnal atmosphere, are carried by a gently lyrical melody, with Iwasaki’s delicate, supple vocals delivering each word with care.
The fact that it has been continually covered by numerous artists—including Akina Nakamori and Hiroji Miyamoto—speaks to its timeless, universal appeal.
It’s a quintessential Showa-era ballad recommended for those who want to savor the bittersweet feelings of graduation and the nostalgia for time slipping away.