[2026] Graduation Songs That Move People in Their 20s

The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46

Nogizaka46 'The Meaning of Goodbye'

This song portrays the hope that awaits beyond a heartrending farewell, carried by warm piano melodies.

Released by Nogizaka46 in November 2016, it is a memorable track in which Nanami Hashimoto served as center for the first time.

It was performed at the 67th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, moving the hearts of many.

It is a gentle, comforting piece that quietly supports those who have experienced parting from someone dear, or who are about to take a new step forward.

Best FriendKiroro

Kiroro ｢Best Friend｣ Official Music Video

Kiroro’s heartwarming classic “Best Friend” is their 10th single, released in 2001.

Beloved as the theme song for NHK’s morning drama series “Churasan,” it has become a memorable track for many.

Especially for those who spent their student years in their twenties, it remains an unforgettable graduation song that still moves listeners today.

While evoking parting, the song celebrates the importance of friendship and is sure to be cherished for years to come.

It’s a perfect song to express gratitude to friends, making it an ideal listen for the graduation season.

Just the two of usRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Futari-goto [Official Music Video]

A touching love song that depicts a miraculous encounter and eternal love.

RADWIMPS’s distinctive word choices blend with the melody to portray the bond between lovers and their resolve to walk into the future together.

Released in May 2006, it ranked on the Oricon charts for 16 weeks.

It was also included on the album “RADWIMPS 4: Okazu no Gohan,” released in December of the same year.

It’s a perfect song to listen to during graduation and farewell seasons, and when you want to look back on memories with someone special.

Brimming with the charm of RADWIMPS, this work, with its moving lyrics and emotive performance, leaves listeners deeply moved.

Bridge of Gloryyuzu

Yuzu “Eikou no Kakehashi” Music Video

Yuzu’s “Eikou no Kakehashi” is an iconic song for graduation ceremonies.

Embraced by many as a piece that colors the moment of stepping into a new future while holding close the days of friendship, hard work, and the pursuit of dreams from student life, it pairs an upbeat, driving melody with lyrics that blend the bittersweetness and hope of graduation, resonating deeply with listeners.

It’s a song many students remember singing through tears.

From its use in the Olympics to its enduring appeal across generations, you can glimpse why it continues to be loved.

It remains an unchanging classic that we’re likely to hear more often as graduation season approaches.

On the day of departure…Kawashima Ai

Ai Kawashima / On the Day of Departure (Lyrics)

Ai Kawashima’s “Tabidachi no Hi ni…” (“On the Day of Departure”), long sung at countless graduation ceremonies, never fades as part of the season’s emotional landscape.

Graduation, a celebration of farewells and new beginnings, has been colored by this song with innumerable tears and smiles.

Even years after its 2006 hit release, the reason it continues to be loved by so many may lie in its universal lyrics and melody.

Each time it’s sung, it warmly encourages students embarking on a new journey and evokes a rising sense of hope.

For those in their twenties who remember those days, listening to “Tabidachi no Hi ni…” will surely bring back memories of graduation.