Classic songs about friendship. Recommended popular tracks.
This is a playlist of classic Japanese songs in which words like “friend,” “friends,” or “friend” (furendo) appear in the title or friendship is the main theme.
From million-selling hits to hidden gems, it’s packed with friendship songs performed by renowned artists.
- A song themed around friendship. A track that conveys the importance of friends.
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- A classic song about friends. Friendship songs you’ll want to listen to with your friends.
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Masterpieces that sing about friendship. Recommended popular songs (1–10)
Until we meet againHirai Dai
A heartwarming ballad that portrays departure and the hope of reunion.
Dai Hirai, known for his refreshing surf-music sound, released it as a single in 2015.
It was later included on the album “Slow & Easy.” Set to gentle acoustic instrumentation, the song carefully weaves together the sorrow of parting and the wish to meet again with a tender “see you,” slowly seeping into the listener’s heart.
It’s a perfect companion for moments of separation—like graduation or job transfers.
It also fits when you want to look back on memories with friends and express your gratitude.
Friend ~ If you smilemiwa
A song where miwa portrays friendship in down-to-earth words: memories of laughing together, the bittersweet thought that you might drift apart someday, and still wanting to say “I like you” and “thank you.” It’s included on her first album, guitarissimo, released in April 2011, which debuted at No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart.
Though not a single, it’s remained a live staple.
The gentle, acoustic guitar–centered sound and her clear, airy voice quietly nestle close to the listener’s heart.
The charm of this piece lies in its delicate distance—something that can be read as friendship or romance.
Perhaps that’s why it feels right to hear during seasons when relationships waver—graduations, moves, changes in life.
If someone special comes to mind, try humming along together.
FlenjerOtsuka Ai
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to cheer up a friend who’s feeling down, or when you want to cut loose together and laugh it off.
It was released in April 2006 as the 11th single.
Since it was used as the CM song for Toshiba mobile phones and as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “Sports Urugusu,” many people probably heard it often at the time.
The title is a unique coined word that combines “friend” and “sentai hero.” It’s a track packed with Ai Otsuka’s signature wordplay and a passionate embrace of friendship.
Masterpieces about friendship. Recommended popular songs (11–20)
Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi
This song, which feels like reminiscing about childhood friends, is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu and Masaki Suda, who is active both as an actor and a musician.
It’s included on the album “BOOTLEG,” released in November 2017, and drew major attention, reaching No.
3 on the Billboard Japan Hot 100.
Yonezu sings the first verse, Suda sings the second, and in the latter half you can enjoy their back-and-forth.
Contrasting a gray-tinted everyday life with the innocent days that were once as blue as the sky, it portrays a friendship that remains connected at heart even when apart.
In the music video, the two passing by each other in the same park leaves a striking impression, resulting in a work that blends poignancy with warmth.
It’s a song that gently stays by your side when an old friend suddenly comes to mind.
BetelgeuseYuuri
A heartwarming medium-tempo ballad by Yuuri, themed around human connections and bonds.
Released in November 2021, it was written as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Thursday drama series “SUPER RICH.” The soaring, high-toned chorus stirs your heart every time you hear it.
Using universal imagery like stars and the night sky, the lyrics strikingly depict supporting a cherished someone and moving forward together.
The song was later included on the album “Ichi,” and as of July 2024, it has become a long-running hit, surpassing 600 million streams.
It’s a perfect song for those who have friends connected by heart despite the distance, or for anyone who wants to cheer on companions setting out on a new path.
Give it a listen while picturing the face of someone dear to you.
proofflumpool
A number by flumpool produced in 2011 as the set piece for the NHK All-Japan School Music Competition (Junior High School Division) and also broadcast on “Minna no Uta.” The bond with friends is something invisible to the eye, but the time spent together and the days of crying and laughing side by side surely remain in our hearts.
This work sings about that unseen yet undeniable certainty that we are companions.
It peaked at No.
4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and was also included on the album “experience.” Not only the fun times, but even the clashes—everything was necessary to deepen the bond.
It’s a song that gently gives a push to friends facing life’s milestones, such as graduation or moving on to the next stage.
Bye, my friendbokula.
A rock band from Hiroshima, bokula.
delivers a track packed with the sparkle and bittersweetness of youth.
The lyrics, which portray everyday moments with friends and the preciousness of irreplaceable time, will give a powerful push to a young man setting off on a new path.
Included on their second mini-album, “Seikatsu ni, Yorisoi.” released in May 2022, the song has garnered wide support, surpassing 1 million views on YouTube.
It’s also known for winning the China Block Award at the 15th CD Shop Awards, cementing its strong reputation.
With a driving, uplifting sound that blows away the sadness of parting, it’s perfect for karaoke, arms around your friends as you sing along.
Believe that you’ll meet again with a smile someday, and send it as a cheer to a dear friend.