Resonating with Graduation Season! A Collection of Graduation Songs for Instagram Stories [2026]

Sakura Clear SkiesYuuri

Sakura Clear Skies

It’s a graduation song that makes the feeling of “thank you” for your parents and friends overflow—one you can’t listen to without tears.

Created by Yuuri, the singer-songwriter famous for “Dry Flower,” it was released in February 2021.

With its beautiful piano and string melodies, it’s the kind of heartwarming ballad you can’t help but recommend.

The lyrics, which remind you that the scents of home and the familiar streets you see every day were treasures all along, deeply resonate with anyone approaching graduation.

The backstory is touching as well—the song was inspired by an email from a fan—and it’s also included on the album “Ichi,” released in January 2022.

Why not pair it with an Instagram Story featuring photos of memories with friends or moving moments from the ceremony, and use it to express your gratitude that you don’t usually say out loud?

Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu

Macaroni Enpitsu “Youth and a Moment” MV

Macaroni Enpitsu is a rock band immensely popular among younger generations, and among their songs is one that’s perfect for marking graduation.

Set to a driving, emotional sound, it sings of the irreplaceable value of days that might seem boring.

The song suggests that those ordinary moments were, in hindsight, shining treasures.

Released in March 2019 as a McDonald’s commercial tune, it was also included on the mini-album “season.” Because youth vanishes in a flash once it’s gone, its message—to love every bit of it—stirs a sentimental feeling in those on the brink of graduation.

Layer it over photos of memories with friends, and this piercing rock tune will remind you of how precious those taken-for-granted days truly were.

cherry blossomFUNKY MONKEY BABYS

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS “Sakura”

This moving piece conveys feelings of gratitude—often too embarrassing to say out loud—in straightforward words.

The song is the 10th single released in February 2009 by FUNKY MONKEY BABYS, who gained popularity with a style that fuses J-pop and hip-hop.

Set against the season of spring, it beautifully portrays the sadness of parting and the hope for the future.

Just listening brings back days spent with friends and makes your heart swell, doesn’t it? Also included on the album “FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 3,” the track was used as the image song for Nippon TV’s “Yokohama International Women’s Ekiden FINAL.” Pair it with photos or videos of memories with friends, and you’ll create an emotionally resonant story post.

It’s the perfect song to color your most precious moments.

JourneyFuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Tabiji (Official Video)

Looking back on our past immaturity and stepping into the future while forgiving one another—such a universal theme in life gently accompanies the milestone of graduation.

This work by Fujii Kaze, a singer-songwriter from Okayama Prefecture, was released in March 2021 and was written as the theme song for the TV Asahi drama Nijiiro Karte.

Its soulful, warm sound and soft resonance are truly comforting.

The lyrical worldview—if this universe is a classroom, we sit side by side and keep learning—conveys that our bonds with friends remain eternal even after graduation.

Also included on the acclaimed album LOVE ALL SERVE ALL, this piece is a hope-filled number that colors moving ceremonies and memories with friends.

The Door to TomorrowI WiSH

I WiSH “Door to Tomorrow” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

A hugely popular debut single by I WiSH, often chosen as a classic graduation song.

While it’s written around the theme of romance, its lyrics—evoking images like glistening sweat and T-shirts—can also be read as celebrating the irreplaceable bonds nurtured with friends, making it perfect for graduation season.

Released in February 2003, the track gained attention as the theme song for the dating reality show Ainori.

The vocalist Ai Kawashima’s solo piece “Tabidachi no Hi ni…” is the original song it’s based on.

With memories of the past and hopes for the future in your heart, let this song add color to your own special story post!

bookmarkkuriipuhaipe

CreepHyp - “Bookmark” (MUSIC VIDEO)

Originally written and composed by Seikaikan Ozaki of CreepHyp as the 2018 FM802 × TSUTAYA ACCESS campaign song, this track features poignant lyrics that overlay the falling of cherry blossoms with parting, resonating with the feelings of many graduates.

The scenes of looking back on the past—like memories left between the pages of a book you stopped reading—are deeply moving, yet the song still depicts a determination to face forward.

Included on the album “Nakitaku Naru Hodo Ureshii Hibi ni,” it’s an up-tempo, fast-paced number that, strangely enough, lifts your spirits as you listen.

A perfect song for graduation season, where the sadness of farewell mingles with hope for the future.

March 9Fujimaki Ryota

March 9

Music that gently wraps the days we spent together and our cherished memories is perfect for the start of graduation, isn’t it? This is the solo version by Ryota Fujimaki of the song Remioromen released in March 2004.

Set to a calm tempo, it portrays the radiance of a new beginning.

Through images of cherry blossoms that come to mind when you close your eyes and metaphors of light illuminating the future, it conveys not only the sorrow of parting but also the feelings of setting off on a journey filled with hope.

Originally written to celebrate a friend’s wedding, it became widely known as an insert song in the 2005 Fuji TV drama “1 Litre of Tears.” This version was released in 2017 as part of Ryota Fujimaki’s solo work.

If you pair it with a message of gratitude or a memory video with friends, it may make those irreplaceable moments even more moving.