Graduation Songs for Those in Their 30s: Nostalgic Classics That Rekindle Emotions & Timeless Favorites Still Popular Today
When graduation season arrives, you hear graduation songs everywhere.
There are massive hits from the Showa and Heisei eras, songs that have become beloved staples of the season across generations, and new tracks released each year to mark the time of farewells.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that were hits when people in their 30s were graduating, or that were commonly used at graduation ceremonies.
Listening to the tracks you heard back then—songs you actually sang at the ceremony or that played as background music—might bring back those nostalgic, bittersweet feelings.
They’re also great picks for karaoke at class reunions.
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Graduation Songs for People in Their 30s: Nostalgic Classics That Bring Back the Emotion & Timeless Favorites Still Popular Today (51–60)
GraduationOzaki Yutaka
Yutaka Ozaki delivers a work that captures the clumsy emotions of youth in their entirety with his powerful voice.
Frankly portraying the feelings of young people—such as the sense of confinement in school life and distrust of adults—this piece carries a universal message about the yearning for freedom that everyone experiences during their school years.
Released in January 1985 and peaking at No.
20 on the Oricon chart, it debuted as the lead single from the album “Kaikisen” (Tropic of Cancer).
Later, in 2016, it was featured as the commercial song for a web-exclusive short movie by a casual apparel chain, continuing to resonate across generations.
It’s a song to listen to when you find yourself wavering between ideals and reality or questioning the norms of society.
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
A song by 19 that reflects fondly on the time spent with friends and expresses a wish for happiness on each person’s path.
With a gentle, acoustic-centered sound that blends with a straightforward vocal, it evokes the image of speaking softly to someone dear.
The lyrics convey that the time shared together becomes the strength to move forward into the future, and that even when far apart, we still wish for each other’s happiness.
It’s a track that communicates the strength of will—the bond deepened by the length of time spent together, and the belief that as long as our hearts remain connected, we can support one another.
Tsubasaandāgurafu
As one of Under Graph’s signature songs, it is a track that has been deeply etched into the hearts of many.
With lyrics themed around days of youth and setting out on new journeys, it resonates powerfully with listeners.
Its emotional melody carried by a robust rock sound is distinctive, garnering support across generations.
Released in September 2004, the song peaked at No.
6 on the Oricon chart.
It also enjoyed strong popularity on cable broadcasts and radio, becoming a long-running hit with 14 consecutive weeks at No.
1.
Listening to it during graduation season or when embarking on new challenges will surely give you the courage to take a bold first step.
Farewell, YouthChatto Monchī
Chatmonchy’s “Saraba Seishun” is a perfect song for the sentimental mood of graduation season.
Behind the band’s bright, pop image lies a wistful ballad.
The lyrics, which sing of the bittersweet memories of youth, carry a special resonance for those in their thirties.
In 2007, it was featured in a Recruit commercial, coloring memorable scenes at graduation ceremonies across the country.
Looking back on school days and reminding us of precious times, this song is a moving piece that marks the end of youth along with graduation.
Tomorrow, when spring comesMatsu Takako
Heralding the arrival of spring, “Ashita, Haru ga Kitara” was released in 1997 as Takako Matsu’s debut single.
Her refreshingly clear vocals and the lingering melodic line make the song feel like spring arriving in the heart for many people in their thirties who remember that era.
It was also featured in an NTT commercial, becoming a familiar tune to a wide audience.
Timeless and unfading, this song is a heartwarming choice for karaoke.