[2026] Graduation Songs That Move People in Their 20s
Do you remember that melody that echoed through the gym on graduation day? The song we sang with our arms around friends, holding back tears—the nostalgic BGM that played in the classroom.
Graduation songs are a special presence that distills youth itself, aren’t they? In this article, aimed at people currently in their 20s, we’ll deliver a rich selection of moving graduation songs that will bring back memories—focusing on tracks released during the 2010s through the pandemic era of the 2020s, when this generation experienced graduation.
Please enjoy to the end, soaking in the nostalgia as if you’re going back to meet your past self!
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[2026] Heartwarming Graduation Songs That 20-Somethings Remember (11–20)
KanadeSukima Suichi
This song is a beautiful ballad that portrays parting with someone dear and the wish to stay connected at heart beyond that farewell.
Released by Sukima Switch in March 2004 as their second single, it features a sentimental sound centered on piano and guitar that truly resonates.
It was used as an insert song for the film “Rough,” the theme song for the drama “Sotsu Uta,” and in 2006 was selected as the ending theme for the final day of “Netto Koshien.” The protagonist’s earnest desire to reach someone through voice and song even when apart mirrors the feelings of junior high school students facing the milestone of graduation.
It’s a track that, while looking back on days with friends, makes you want to cherish those bonds going forward.
Sung as a chorus, it would surely fill the entire venue with warm tears.
Youth and a momentmakaroni enpitsu
An emotional number by Macaroni Empitsu, a rock band formed by music college graduates whose unique style—fusing diverse musicality—firmly captures the hearts of the younger generation.
Set to a driving, exhilarating sound, it delivers a message that hits home: youth is fleeting, gone in a flash, and even the moments that felt boring back then are precious treasures in hindsight.
Written in March 2019 as a song for a McDonald’s commercial, it was later included on the mini-album “season,” released in September of the same year.
Portraying both the anxiety and hope of tumbling toward an uncertain future, this track vividly revives the emotions of youth and makes a perfect soundtrack for the graduation season as you look back on memories with friends.
cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro
This song, a massive hit in 2003, is a masterpiece that depicts parting and reunion through the beauty and transience of cherry blossoms.
Naotaro Moriyama’s clear vocals and the simple, piano-centered arrangement resonate deeply with listeners.
The lyrics, which liken cherry blossoms scattering at the very moment they are in full bloom to the turning points of life, evoke both the poignancy of a departure and a forward-looking hope.
Chosen as the ending theme for the MBS/TBS program “Sekai Ururun Taizai-ki,” it sold over one million copies.
In 2019, it was revived with a new arrangement as the theme song for the drama “同期のサクラ” (Synchrony’s Sakura), and it continues to be loved across generations.
Sung at a graduation ceremony—one of life’s important milestones—it will etch memories with friends and a resolve for the future even more deeply.
Us Again (Brass Band ver.)SG
This work by SG has gained support as an encouraging song that resonates deeply during graduations and farewells.
Its gentle melody, which accompanies young people as they overcome partings and take new steps forward, and its lyrics filled with hope for reunion are especially appealing.
Released in April 2021, it has become a popular track with a cumulative 150 million streams.
Starting in November 2024, it has also been featured in Calorie Mate’s exam-season support commercial, and a concert band version by the Hanazono Tokuei High School Wind Ensemble has been making waves.
It’s a heartwarming song for farewells, graduation ceremonies, and moments when you long to see someone special again.
It’s a recommended track for times when you want to cherish your memories while looking ahead and doing your best.
March 9Remioromen
When graduation season arrives, the familiar melody flowing through the streets—Remioromen’s “March 9th”—is a classic engraved in many people’s hearts.
Released on March 9, 2004, this song conveys friendship and hope for new beginnings, and gained even wider support through its use in the drama “1 Litre of Tears.” As a song that colors the day of departure, it enriches irreplaceable memories.
How about listening again to Remioromen’s warm message that accompanies each person’s graduation? It will surely bring back memories of that day when you stood shoulder to shoulder and sang.