“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.
- Iconic and popular songs sung by female artists: great cover versions
- Yumi Arai’s Graduation Songs, Entrance Ceremony Songs, and Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Nagori-yuki: Popular Cover Song
- Yumi Matsutoya’s Graduation Songs, Entrance Songs, and Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Graduation Songs] Tear-Jerking, Heartwarming Ballads | A Showcase of Classics and the Newest Hits!
- [Graduation Song] A tear-jerking track sung by an idol! A moving piece depicting friendship and gratitude [2026]
- [2026] Recommended for Women! A Collection of Moving J-POP Graduation Songs
- [2026] A Collection of Youthful Songs to Play at Graduation Ceremonies [J-POP]
- [2026] Uplifting Songs for Graduation: J-POP Graduation Songs and Anthems
- [2026 Edition] Youth Anthems for Your 40s! A Roundup of Popular Heart-Pounding × Heartwarming Songs
- [Covers of Japanese Songs] A selection of classic hits where both the original and the arranged versions are popular
- A classic song covered by major artists: cover versions of Spitz’s “Kaede.”
- Still packed with timeless classics! A roundup of 1970s Japanese graduation songs
[Graduation Photos] Popular Cover Songs (1–10)
Graduation PhotoFujihara Sakura
Sakura Fujiwara is a singer-songwriter.
Her voice is often described as smoky, and she effortlessly delivers laid-back songs like Soup and her cover of Spitz’s Haru no Uta.
Among these, listening to Fujiwara’s Sotsugyō Shashin somehow fills me with a bittersweet feeling.
It’s a gentle cover that softly wraps you up alongside the sound of an acoustic guitar.
Graduation PhotoAoba Ichiko
Ichiko Aoba’s “Sotsugyo Shashin” is the kind of song that gently sinks into your heart—each word carefully savored, yet never overheated.
She sings it simply with just a gut guitar.
With her slightly dreamlike aura, she’s reportedly received high praise from Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono, and it’ll be exciting to see what she does next.
Graduation Photohaifaisetto
Hi-Fi Set’s “Graduation Photograph.” It’s the big hit by Yumi Matsutoya that everyone knows.
It’s a lovely song often heard during graduation season.
Hi-Fi Set’s voices are clear and gentle, resonating in the heart.
It’s wonderful in a way that’s different from Yuming’s distinctive vocals.
A cover that brings a sense of calm.
Graduation PhotoWANIMA
WANIMA is a popular rock band that has even performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Known for their bursting energy and hard-hitting rock sound, many people may not be used to hearing them do ballads.
Even in “Sotsugyo Shashin,” the trio’s power is on full display.
The original is a gentle song, but their version conveys a strong sense of vigor.
It brings back memories of those days when we ran around in our youth.
Graduation PhotoTokunaga Hideaki
Hidetaka Tokunaga, whose voice truly shines in numerous ballads like “Kowarekake no Radio,” brings that strength to the fullest in “Sotsugyō Shashin” as well.
His slightly husky vocals have captivated women everywhere.
This is one of those covers that draws you in with an arrangement you can’t help but get lost in.
Graduation PhotoMatsuyama Chiharu
As you know, Chiharu Matsuyama is that male singer.
In his cover of “Graduation Photograph,” he makes it his own right from the beginning.
In a good way, there’s no longer a trace of Yumi Arai.
Instead of a grand, sweeping ballad, Matsuyama’s gently and tenderly sung ballad is utterly mesmerizing.
Graduation PhotoSakamoto Maaya
Yuming’s huge hit “Sotsugyo Shashin” (“Graduation Photo”).
This is a cover by voice actress Maaya Sakamoto.
As expected of a voice actress, she sings cutely and with plenty of emotion.
You’ll be drawn in by her voice, which feels like it’s speaking directly to you.
It’s a lovely cover that I can recommend to girls in their teens.
It’s a cute number that really suits a school uniform—give it a listen!