[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	Even though it’s springKashiwabara Yoshie		Looking back on youthful memories with “Harunononi”
3	Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi		A classic song that sings of lost youth and the feeling of the seasons
4	Ya Ya (I Won’t Forget That Era)Sazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern’s youthful ballad, a memorable classic that resonates with memories
5	GraduationHikaru GENJI		Graduation song of the idol group Hikaru GENJI
6	While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki		A classic song that portrays the wavering heart of youth
7	Youth—When the Sun Rises in the Sky AgainZa Burodosaito Fō		An immortal classic that portrays the hopes and journeys of youth
8	Strawberry Statement, Once Againbanban		A classic song that brings back movies of our youth and memories of love.
9	Love Dial 6700Fingā 5		The sound of a rotary phone and five voices, a youth song
10	youthIwasaki Yoshimi		A ballad that captures the bittersweetness of youth, etched into the heart
11	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		The moving feeling of graduation in Kazuo Funaki’s youth song
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	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		Momoe Yamaguchi’s final single before retirement, a song about the lifespan of stars and human parting.
16	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic songs are loved across generations.
17	GraduationOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki's graduation song speaks for students' feelings.
18	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic graduation song is loved across generations
19	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		Song of Departure, a Melancholy Melody of Love
20	Full of memoriesH₂O		A graduation song of youth, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
21	Before graduationOzaki Hitomi		A poignant song of springtime farewells before the graduation ceremony
22	GraduationTHE ALFEE		A song of youthful memories and bittersweet emotions
23	Farewell, youthogura kei		A song of parting in youth and the resolve to take a new step
24	When I Become a First Gradersakushi: Mado Michio, sakkyoku: Yamamoto Naozumi		Footsteps of spring, hope and anticipation for a new life
25	Your Graduation1986OMEGATRIBE		A famous song that portrays the bittersweet feelings of graduation season
26	The last spring breakItō Maiko		A bittersweet song of loneliness and farewells felt in the school building during spring break
27	The PeopleYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita’s masterpiece “Sōbō” encourages us in life.
28	Galaxy Express 999Godaigo		Song of Departure, Conveying Hope Across Generations
29	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyAsaka Yui		Heart-touching masterpieces that color graduation and move you to tears
30	Smiling Backkyandīzu		A classic filled with gratitude before the breakup.
31	A Lonely Graduation CeremonyMita Hiroko		Hiroko Mita’s “Graduation,” a mature heartbreak song
32	Goodbye, helloItō Tsukasa		Youth songs that revel in memories in the season of graduation
33	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki’s classic “Seirei Nagashi,” with moving lyrics
34	Goodbye for today.Moriyama Ryoko		The history of Ryoko Moriyama’s famous song “Small Journey”
35	Our JourneyNakamura Masatoshi		Nakamura Masatoshi’s classic hit “Tabi,” which depicts youth
36	The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka		A 1946 classic that portrayed hope in postwar Tokyo
37	GraduationTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s classic song “Sotsugyo” expresses the bittersweetness of youth.
38	Words of FarewellKaientai		Words to give: an anthem of hope and courage
39	See you.o nyanko kurabu		A positive graduation song that turns farewells into smiles
40	Blue PhotographMatsuda Seiko		A famous ballad used as a TV drama theme song
41	MY GRADUATIONChekkāzu		The Checkers’ classic song about memories of graduation
42	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		Takako Okamura’s masterpiece gives courage and hope.
43	Violet-colored tearsIwasaki Hiromi		A classic song that sings of bittersweet love, Violet-Colored Tears
44	The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi		A classic song that sings of a girl’s bittersweet feelings before graduation.
45	Please give me wingsakai tori		A heartwarming song of youth that portrays hope and farewell
46	I can’t put it into wordsOda Kazumasa		A moving masterpiece by Kazumasa Oda that sings of parting
47	Lingering Snowiruka		Song of departure, the bittersweet feelings of youth
48	Spring sceneryMinamino Yoko		A youth love song that portrays a romance swayed between advancing to the next stage of education and taking a gap year to retake exams
49	Amy’s GraduationKaoru Sudo		A moving coming-of-age song that captures the moment of graduation
50	Yours sincerelyushiroyubi-sasaregumi		A youth song by Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi
51	Graduationkyandīzu		Candies’ youthful graduation song
52	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		An iconic song symbolizing graduation, capturing both wistfulness and hope
53	Graduationsaitou yuki		A classic anthem of youth that portrays the parting and hope of graduation
54	uniformMatsuda Seiko		A classic that sings of the bittersweetness and hope of youth
55	Graduation -GRADUATION-Kikuchi Momoko		Kikuchi Momoko’s graduation song, a moving classic
56	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic song “Kanpai,” a tune that accompanies life’s milestones
57	Goodbye once moreChekkāzu		A famous ballad by The Checkers themed around farewell
58	Good-bye School Dayshaifaisetto		A classic masterpiece by the Red Bird chorus that sings the emotions of graduation
59	Spring La! La! La!Ishino Mako		The famous song by Mako Ishino that heralds the arrival of spring