“Graduation Photo” popular cover song
“Sotsugyo Shashin” (Graduation Photo) is one of Yumi Arai’s signature songs and a timeless classic that continues to be sung today.
It remains hugely popular as a graduation song, and it’s a beloved Japanese classic that everyone has heard at least once.
Precisely because it’s such a masterpiece, countless artists have continued to cover this song.
Over the years, artists of all ages—and across genre boundaries—have kept this song alive with their covers.
In this article, we’ll introduce all of those covers in one go.
You’ll find some surprising artists who have covered it, as well as boldly arranged versions—making for a playlist you’re sure to enjoy.
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[Graduation Photos] Popular Cover Songs (1–10)
Graduation PhotoOkano Akihito
This is a cover by Akihito Okano, the vocalist of Porno Graffitti.
He’s an outstanding singer who can handle both bright, exuberant pop songs and heart-wrenching ballads.
In “Sotsugyō Shashin,” his expressive power and the arrangement shaped by his unique voice are really cool.
His unpretentious, straightforward vocals fit perfectly with the song’s honest sentiment.
Graduation PhotoImai Miki
With its simple arrangement, this song lets you fully immerse yourself in Miki Imai’s gentle, soft vocals.
The strings resonating from the background help further expand that mellow world.
It carries a charm that seems to seep into a weary heart.
By all means, give it a listen.
Graduation PhotoMakihara Noriyuki
Noriyuki Makihara is well known for songs that are uplifting, cheerful, and courageous.
In the ballad “Sotsugyō Shashin,” a new side of Makki’s world emerges.
The wistful atmosphere unique to Noriyuki Makihara is truly wonderful.
The arrangement has a pop feel and is lovely, too.
It’s a cover that conveys the determination to face forward and move on to the next step.
“Graduation Photos” Popular Cover Songs (11–20)
Graduation PhotoShibata Jun
Singer-songwriter Jun Shibata has covered Yumi Matsutoya’s “Graduation Photo.” With her calm, soothing voice and strong vocal ability, it’s a wonderful cover.
The gentle vibrato feels like a whisper, and it’s truly enchanting.
It’s a lovely song you’ll want to listen to on a rainy day.
Graduation PhotoHamasaki Ayumi
This is a cover by Ayumi Hamasaki, Japan’s songstress of the 21st century.
From vocal timbre to overall song atmosphere, Yumi Arai and Ayumi Hamasaki are completely different—you’ll struggle to find similarities.
Yet when you actually listen, it no longer feels like a song by Yumi Matsutoya; it seems to have transformed into an “Ayu” song.
A sense of a lovestruck maiden steadily spreads.
It’s the kind of cover you’d want to see released as a single.
Graduation Photoikimonogakari
Now featured in music textbooks and known as a graduation song, this track from Yumi Arai’s era is covered by Ikimono-gakari in a tender yet passionate style.
It has a wonderful melody, and one of its charms is how different performers can bring out distinct qualities in it.
Graduation PhotoGoto Maki
Amazingly, Maki Goto from Morning Musume has covered “Sotsugyo Shashin” (Graduation Photograph).
She keeps the idol-like singing style while faithfully delivering it as in the original, which really shows her strong vocal ability.
While Yumi Matsutoya’s distinctive voice is one of the original’s charms, this cover takes a completely different approach, crafted in a more girlish style.
