[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.

Playlist

[Showa-Era Graduation Songs] Nostalgic? Emotive? A curated selection of timeless classics loved across generations
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Song of FledgingSakushi: Murano Shirō, Sakkyoku: Iwakawa Saburō		A classic song that sings of the moving emotions of graduation and farewell
2	Strawberry Statement, Once Againbanban		A classic song that brings back movies of our youth and memories of love.
3	GraduationHikaru GENJI		Graduation song of the idol group Hikaru GENJI
4	Youth—When the Sun Rises in the Sky AgainZa Burodosaito Fō		An immortal classic that portrays the hopes and journeys of youth
5	Ya Ya (I Won’t Forget That Era)Sazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern’s youthful ballad, a memorable classic that resonates with memories
6	youthIwasaki Yoshimi		A ballad that captures the bittersweetness of youth, etched into the heart
7	While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki		A classic song that portrays the wavering heart of youth
8	Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi		A classic song that sings of lost youth and the feeling of the seasons
9	Love Dial 6700Fingā 5		The sound of a rotary phone and five voices, a youth song
10	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		The moving feeling of graduation in Kazuo Funaki’s youth song
11	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		Looking back on youthful memories with “Harunononi”
12	GraduationMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s classic “Sotsugyo” (“Graduation”): the pure feelings of youth
13	Graduationsawada shouko		Seiko Sawada’s “Sotsugyo” expresses the loneliness of graduation.
14	Eyes of the heartSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s love song, a gemlike ballad that resonates in the heart
15	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic graduation song is loved across generations
16	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		Song of Departure, a Melancholy Melody of Love
17	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s final single before retirement, a song about the lifespan of stars and human parting.
18	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic songs are loved across generations.
19	GraduationOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki's graduation song speaks for students' feelings.
20	Before graduationOzaki Hitomi		A poignant song of springtime farewells before the graduation ceremony
21	The PeopleYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s masterpiece “Sōbō” encourages us in life.
22	Full of memoriesH₂O		A graduation song of youth, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
23	Your Graduation1986OMEGATRIBE		A famous song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of graduation season
24	The last spring breakItō Maiko		A bittersweet song of loneliness and farewells felt in the school building during spring break
25	Farewell, youthogura kei		A song of parting in youth and the resolve to take a new step
26	GraduationTHE ALFEE		A song of youthful memories and bittersweet emotions
27	Our JourneyNakamura Masatoshi		Nakamura Masatoshi’s classic hit “Tabi,” which depicts youth
28	Smiling Backkyandīzu		A classic filled with gratitude before the breakup.
29	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyMita Hiroko		Hiroko Mita’s “Graduation,” a mature heartbreak song
30	Galaxy Express 999Godaigo		Song of Departure, Conveying Hope Across Generations
31	Goodbye, helloItō Tsukasa		Youth songs that revel in memories in the season of graduation
32	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s classic “Seirei Nagashi,” with moving lyrics
33	When I Become a First Gradersakushi: Mado Michio, sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi		Footsteps of spring, hope and anticipation for a new life
34	Goodbye for today.Moriyama Ryoko		The history of Ryoko Moriyama’s famous song “Small Journey”
35	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyAsaka Yui		Heart-touching masterpieces that color graduation and move you to tears
36	The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka		A classic spring song that reflects postwar hope, like willow buds awakening.
37	Blue PhotographMatsuda Seiko		Although it was a single’s B-side track, it served as a drama’s theme song...
38	GraduationTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s classic song “Sotsugyo” expresses the bittersweetness of youth.
39	Words of FarewellKaientai		Words to give: an anthem of hope and courage
40	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic song “Kanpai,” a tune that accompanies life’s milestones
41	Goodbye once moreChekkāzu		The lights drifting outside the window and the ice in the glass—such a senti…
42	MY GRADUATIONChekkāzu		A gem that richly portrays the emotions surrounding the milestone of graduation in life...
43	Good-bye School Dayshaifaisetto		A classic masterpiece by the Red Bird chorus that sings the emotions of graduation
44	Graduationsaitou yuki		A classic anthem of youth that portrays the parting and hope of graduation
45	Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko		Kikuchi Momoko’s graduation song, a moving classic
46	Amy’s GraduationKaoru Sudo		A moving coming-of-age song that captures the moment of graduation
47	Graduationkyandīzu		Candies’ youthful graduation song
48	Please give me wingsakai tori		A heartwarming song of youth that portrays hope and farewell
49	Spring sceneryMinamino Yoko		In the spring of graduation, a young woman entering university and a young man becoming a rōnin (a student taking a gap year to study for entrance exams)…
50	Lingering Snowiruka		Song of departure, the bittersweet feelings of youth
51	Yours sincerelyushiroyubi-sasaregumi		A youth song by Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
52	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		An iconic song symbolizing graduation, capturing both wistfulness and hope
53	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		Takako Okamura’s masterpiece gives courage and hope.
54	Violet-colored tearsIwasaki Hiromi		A classic song that sings of bittersweet love, Violet-Colored Tears
55	The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi		A classic song that sings of a girl’s bittersweet feelings before graduation.
56	uniformMatsuda Seiko		A classic that sings of the bittersweetness and hope of youth
57	See you.o nyanko kurabu		A positive graduation song that turns farewells into smiles
58	Spring La! La! La!Ishino Mako		The famous song by Mako Ishino that heralds the arrival of spring
59	I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa		A moving masterpiece by Kazumasa Oda that sings of parting