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 Those in Their 30s] Nostalgic Masterpieces That Bring Back the Emotion & Timeless Favorites Still Popular Today (41–50)
cherry blossomKetsumeishi
Ketsumeishi’s “Sakura” has long been loved by many as a classic that colors the season of graduation and farewells.
Since its 2005 release, it’s a song that, whenever the cherry blossoms bloom, brings back bittersweet memories and irreplaceable friends.
It drew renewed attention when Sonoko Inoue covered it, and with its power to connect old and new generations, the song livens up many karaoke parties.
Listening to “Sakura,” a track that distills Ketsumeishi’s creative charm, makes anyone nostalgic for their youth and is sure to warm the heart.
Sakura, Bloom!arashi
Among the many graduation songs out there, there are countless tracks that hold special meaning for people in their thirties, and Arashi’s “Sakura Sake” is one of them.
Famously featured in a prep school commercial, this song carries a passionate message for everyone doing their best.
Its bright, positive vibe is perfect for new beginnings—not only lingering on farewells, but also offering encouragement for the future that’s about to start.
Among Arashi’s many cheer songs, the reason this one continues to be loved by such a wide range of ages is likely its universal appeal.
Sing it with your classmates at karaoke, and memories of your school days will come rushing back.
I want to become a cherry blossom tree.AKB48
A gentle medium-tempo ballad by AKB48 that portrays the beauty of spring and memories of graduation.
As it likens eternal love watching over those who set out on a new journey to a cherry tree, it warmly sings of the courage and hope to take the first step forward.
Depicting the touching image of young people heading toward a bright future while carrying their anxieties, this work was released in February 2011.
It was used as the theme song for the drama “A Letter from the Cherry Blossoms” and also gained attention as a CM song for UHA Mikakuto.
With a message perfect for graduation season and a gentle melody line that evokes the arrival of spring, it will wrap you in the desire to revel in cherished memories.
Song of a Friendyuzu
Yuzu’s “Tomodachi no Uta” is a perfect song for the season of partings and new encounters, and for graduation ceremonies.
Anyone who remembers that time will feel the melodies and lyrics deeply.
Their warm vocals, as if cheering on anxious friends, are still loved by many today.
It also gained popularity as the theme song for Glico’s Pocky commercial.
Singing about thinking of old friends who’ve grown distant and wishing to see them again, this track is guaranteed to be a hit at karaoke.
Yuzu’s characteristically honest and straightforward singing style gives the power to connect hearts.
YELL ~Support~Kobukuro
Kobukuro’s “YELL” has been loved by many since its release in 2001.
For graduates in their 30s in particular, it can be called a treasured melody that colors a page of their youth.
The song is popular as BGM for graduation ceremonies and for karaoke at reunions because it stirs the heart, strengthening it and giving courage for new beginnings.
The gentle harmonies of Shunsuke Kuroda and Kentaro Kobuchi resonate with people experiencing times of parting and encounter.
Looking back now, you’ll realize that the cheers embedded throughout the lyrics had been supporting your past self all along.
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.
spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE
A pop tune spun the day after graduation that portrays springtime partings and reunions.
Motoki Omori, the vocalist of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, beautifully captures the uniquely adolescent mix of emotions in memories with friends.
While wrestling with pale longings and ideals, the melody overflows with feelings for someone, and it was also featured as the theme song for Suntory’s “Craft Boss” commercial.
At times tinged with melancholy yet full of hope, the sound gently nudges those poised to take a new step forward with the arrival of spring.