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

When you think of graduation songs nowadays, what tracks come to mind? Many people may be looking for a chorus piece to sing at the ceremony or a song to color their memories.

Even in the Reiwa era, moving graduation songs continue to be created one after another.

In this article, we cover a wide range of songs perfect for elementary and junior high school graduation ceremonies.

From timeless classics that have been sung for years to new graduation songs destined to become standards, we’ve gathered works that sing of friendship, gratitude, and hope for the future.

We hope you find the perfect song to mark this important new beginning!

Playlist

[2026] Modern graduation songs: Reiwa-era staples and new tracks you should know
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		An anthem of encouragement depicting the struggles and self-acceptance of an 18-year-old
2	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		An anthem of encouragement that looks ahead and rises above our differences
3	Friend ~Time to Depart~yuzu		Yuzu’s classic song about farewells at graduation
4	Prologue.Yuika		A song about resolving to take a new step forward before graduation
5	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		GReeeeN's moving high school baseball theme song
6	sunflowerAdo		A graduation song that looks toward the light with positivity—a track that gives you courage.
7	On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai		The moving, unforgettable impact of the graduation song “I WISH.”
8	HarukaYOASOBI		Haruka, who accompanies the farewells of graduation
9	evening primroseNovelbright		Novelbright's heartbreaking breakup song
10	Us, againSG		A heartwarming classic that accompanies the season of graduation
11	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		Mrs. GREEN APPLE’s spring classic that portrays youthful emotions
12	CorrectRADWIMPS		A RADWIMPS song that questions the meaning of graduation and resonates with the heart
13	OrangeSPYAIR		SPYAIR's moving graduation song: Let's face forward and move on.
14	March 9Remioromen		A heartwarming classic that colors the memories of graduation ceremonies
15	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		EXILE’s moving graduation song becomes a social phenomenon
16	spring sunlightKanapu × Kujira		Graduation song of the virtual singer Kujira
17	Sakura RabbitKawasaki Takaya		Kawasaki Takaya’s poignant graduation song, unable to convey his feelings
18	Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46		A graduation song that portrays the bittersweetness and hope of youth
19	Dear,Snow Man		Snow Man’s moving gratitude ballad
20	Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//		A graduation song of youthful joy and hope
21	Graduation (feat. Shuto)hannya		Hannya’s new song “Graduation” depicts the past and the future
22	Heralding springyama		A poignant urban song portraying loneliness, resonating in the heart.
23	sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI		An anthem of encouragement for those who chase their dreams
24	We’re foreverKOGYARU		Introducing Kogyaru Graduation Songs
25	IchibanboshiSnow Man		Celebrating graduation with Snow Man’s “Brother Beat”
26	See you again.THE FRANK VOX		From Kansai, a graduation song praying for a reunion
27	Run Through the MemoriesMy Hair is Bad		A song that expresses gratitude to friends and a positive outlook
28	orangeMrs. GREEN APPLE		A coming-of-age song that embraces my past self once more
29	When it shinesHitsuji Bungaku		An inspiring graduation song that captures the spirit of The Tale of the Heike
30	A bouquet for meAdo		A song that encourages you and helps you take a new step forward
31	Loved oneFOMARE		An emotional graduation song by the Gunma band FOMARE
32	Moon in CairoBoku ga mitakatta aozora		A graduation song resounding in the winter blue sky
33	SignalWANIMA		A song of courage to move forward, even if it's unfinished
34	German irisHinatazaka46		Depicting unfinished emotions and a farewell to youth
35	Because we’re friends.Ochiai Wataru		Soothe the sadness of parting with a song of friendship
36	Waiting for flowersKihara Rui		A ballad imbued with Atsu Mizuno’s wish for a reunion
37	PasswordAina ji Endo		Aina the End’s soul-stirring songs
38	Hey, senpaiTomei		The poignant emotions of youth that refuse to graduate
39	If I had been living aloneSUPER BEAVER		A moving song about bonds with people and gratitude
40	YuiriMurayama Yuiri		A moving ballad by Sayaka Murayama, who is graduating from AKB48
41	Bye-Good-ByeBE:FIRST		A song that gives you courage to send during graduation season
42	Forget-me-notMarushii		A heartwarming song that portrays encounters and farewells in spring.
43	To you, my best friend in the worldHakoniiwa Ririi		Youthful pop singing about the feelings of graduation
44	the first strong spring windnishina		A song of precious memories awakened by the spring breeze
45	oneselfTani Yuuk		A song to cheer on a departure without confidence, giving a push from behind
46	Song of the ChickHalf time Old		A youth punk anthem cheering for Half time Old
47	Embrace the presentsatō moka		A wistful song that embraces the present at graduation
48	Hey, my friendMr.forute		Mr.Forte, a youth song about friendship and gratitude
49	Orangeakai kouen		Songs of graduation and departure, portraying poignancy and beauty
50	Until graduationBoku ga mitakatta aozora		Expressing the bittersweetness of a secret first love before graduation
51	Time-Limited Unrequited LoveNogizaka 46		An emotionally moving song in the Hokkaido music video that sings about feelings of graduation.
52	Bye, my friendbokula.		A popular song by the Hiroshima-born rock band bokula.
53	We againSG		A ballad depicting parting and reunion
54	Stand by MeSaucy Dog		A moving song that sings of hopes for graduation and friendship
55	Sakura Clear SkiesYuuri		Yuri’s famous song “Sakura-bare,” which portrays the moving emotions of graduation
56	JourneyFuji Kaze		The journey is a song of hope and farewell
57	Tomoë GakuenFukuyama Masaharu		Theme song of the Tetsuko Kuroyanagi drama, a moving track
58	pedestrian overpassNogizaka 46		A young person hesitantly taking a step toward the future
59	Youth PhotographLittle Glee Monster		An inspiring song that portrays graduation in a positive light
60	footprint(s)Little Glee Monster		Little Glee Monster’s moving graduation song
61	one’s true feelingssumika		Sumika’s graduation song is a moving, heart-stirring masterpiece.
62	Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu		A song of youth, a moving piece that resonates in the heart
63	Last SongOfisharu Higedan Dism		A moving song to give in the season of graduation
64	After the cherry blossomsTani Yuuki, cross-dominance Ryo‘LEFTY’Miyata		An encouraging song for departures and the changing seasons, resonating in the heart
65	Sky-blue DaysSHISHAMO		A heartwarming youth song that symbolizes graduation
66	Gazing up, the sky is blueHata Motohiro		Season of Departure: A Song of Hope and Courage
67	Homeward Road in MarchHirai Dai		In the season when the cherry blossoms bloom, Dai Hirai’s songs resonate with my heart.
68	Futabaaimyon		An anthem for turning 18, with hope for growth and a new departure
69	On nights when cherry blossoms fallaimyon		Graduation season: Aimyon’s moving song
70	MemoriesNiziU		A spring song celebrating the start of youth
71	Sakura, You, and Ituki.		A bittersweet coming-of-age song that portrays cherry blossoms and the feelings of first love.
72	1096Cody Rī (Ri)		A song depicting a youthful farewell and a new step forward
73	Kadode no Ippo (feat. CHICO CARLITO)ASOBOiSM		Spring cheer song, a boost for the first step toward a dream
74	spring skySuzuki Suzuki		A heartwarming song that portrays youthful partings and hope
75	Bring it on, spring.non		The arrival of spring, a song of hope and courage
76	People and PeopleYugeda Kensuke		Warm music that sings about the importance of encounters
77	CheeseSG		SG's new song is a heart-stirring work that depicts change and positivity.
78	Blue in the classroomHoshimachi Suisei		A heartwarming song about youthful memories and parting
79	Melancholy Cherry Blossomsatarayo		A graduation ballad that portrays the sadness of parting and the hope for reunion
80	Sakura PhotographHatsuboshi Gakuen		A ballad for the season when cherry blossoms dance, an emotional song
81	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		The graduation song “365-Day Paper Airplane” connects hearts.
82	CorrectRADWIMPS		A moving graduation song that portrays youthful memories and friendship
83	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		A powerful classic that helps you overcome the farewells of graduation
84	Cherry Blossom MoonSakurazaka46		A song that expresses the beauty of cherry blossoms and farewell
85	The happiest treasuresutopuri		An inspiring graduation season anthem