[2026] Modern graduation songs: Reiwa-era staples and new tracks you should know

To you, my best friend in the worldHakoniiwa Ririi

To You, My Best Friend in the World / Haconiiwa Lily [Music Video]

A bittersweet yet forward-looking youth pop song that portrays the resolve to finally confess hidden feelings on graduation day.

Haconiwa Lily is a vocal duo featuring Hanon, with her powerful voice, and Kotoha, whose vocals are full of clarity.

This track is included on their major-label debut album, “Lily’s Plage,” released in September 2022.

Set to a gentle, folk-tinged melody, it delicately weaves a story of budding love for someone once thought of as just a friend, and the inner turmoil as the moment of parting draws near.

The duo’s layered harmonies convey both the intimacy forged over a long time together and the beautiful resonance of feelings left unspoken.

It’s a song that gently gives you a push to take that next step forward.

the first strong spring windnishina

nishina – First Spring Storm [Official Video]

Like a spring breeze that stirs up memories, there are sudden moments when someone precious from the past comes to mind.

Released by Nishina in March 2023, this song gently scoops up those feelings that everyone carries.

From everyday scenes—the sight of laundry swaying, the scent of shampoo—former classrooms and friends come vividly back.

A simple band sound centered on acoustic guitar strumming highlights Nishina’s fragile yet resolute vocals.

Featured as the new radiko commercial song and as insert music for ABEMA’s romance reality show “Today, I Fell in Love: Phu Quoc Island Edition,” it touched listeners across generations.

Even while holding onto unspoken feelings, the resolve to move forward makes it perfect for graduation season.

It’s a graduation song that resonates not only with those facing farewell, but also with anyone who wants to quietly look back on their youth.

oneselfTani Yuuk

My True Self – Tani Yuuki [MV]

Here’s a gentle, supportive song for those who are setting off on a new journey before they’ve fully found confidence in themselves.

Released by Tani Yuuki as a digital single in March 2022 and later included on his 2023 album “Tamentai,” the track was written specifically for a web-only UQ mobile “UQ Ouen-wari” commercial featuring cast members from ABEMA’s romance show “Kyo, Suki ni Narimashita.” The lyrics, which speak to the anxiety of taking that first step, the tears shared with friends, and how all those experiences become a source of strength, were crafted with the hope of reaching even those who haven’t yet found their dreams.

In creating the song, he interviewed friends from his high school days about their past struggles, weaving in the authentic emotions of teenagers.

Urging listeners to accept themselves as they are rather than striving for perfection, this song gives you a gentle push forward—making it a perfect choice for anyone seeking courage before graduation or the start of a new chapter.

Song of the ChickHalf time Old

Half time Old 'Hina no Uta' Music Video

A four-piece rock band based in Nagoya, Aichi, Half time Old released this track on their October 2020 mini-album CRISP YELLOW.

It’s a youthful punk number that races forward on an 8-beat drive, filled with a warmth that gives you a gentle push during the season of farewells.

The lyrics are memorable for their message that reassures you—“You’re not wrong”—even as you carry anxiety and loneliness about setting off on a new journey.

The music video is composed of cherished photos submitted by fans, designed to overlap with each listener’s own memories.

It’s a song that naturally sparks singalongs at shows, and if you raise your voices together at a graduation concert or a farewell party, it’s bound to become an unforgettable moment.

More than just a tearjerker, it’s a pep song that gives you the strength to step forward with a smile.

Embrace the presentsatō moka

Satomoka – Embrace the Now (Music Video)

A ballad by Moka Sato that makes you want to gently embrace the “now” we tend to lose sight of during busy days and the season of graduations and farewells.

Released as a single in November 2025, it’s a work that lays bare unadorned feelings.

What really hits home is how it portrays the will to move forward, even while carrying loneliness, through everyday details like familiar rooms and scenery.

It’s a song that sinks into the heart when you’re tucking away precious memories and heading toward a new place.

Hey, my friendMr.forute

Mr. Fōrute – Hey, My Friend [Official Music Video]

Mr.

Forte is a four-piece band from Tokyo that formed through connections in their high school light music club.

Released digitally in January 2021 and included on the album “sweet life,” this song is a number that captures heartfelt feelings for a dear friend.

Chosen as the theme song for the Twitter drama “Itadakeba, Totoshi,” sponsored by the Nisshin Seifun Group, it resonated with young people whose school events were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It carries a warm message: even while holding onto the emptiness of loss and frustration with a reality that won’t go your way, it’s enough to keep sharing laughs with the person beside you.

The clean-toned guitars and bouncy rhythm create a refreshing sense of speed, and the arrangement that lets emotions burst open toward the chorus feels so satisfying.

It’s the kind of song that makes you want to finally say the “thank you” you were too shy to express to friends you’ll be parting from at graduation.

Orangeakai kouen

Red Park “Orange” Music Video

A send-off song by Akai Koen that simultaneously captures the poignancy and beauty of “moving forward without looking back.” Released in November 2020 as a double A-side single, it was used as the opening theme for the Fuji TV FOD original drama “A Band Crossing Time.” Written and composed by guitarist Yosuke Tsumo, the track centers on a band sound while its soaring melody leaves a lasting impression.

The lyrics weave in reflections on the end of a relationship, shifting promises, and a prayer-like gaze toward someone growing distant, delicately portraying the wavering of a person who, despite lingering attachments, wants to “at least look cool at the end” and take a step forward.

Its blend of freshness and bittersweetness makes it perfect for a graduation live! Highly recommended for those who want to face forward without getting overly sentimental as they part ways with their friends.