A lovely graduation song

[2026] Graduation songs you’ll want to play in concert band! A collection of moving J‑Pop hits

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Graduated from a music school / 21 years of piano experiencesatomi
I began playing the piano at the age of four and spent six years at a conservatory, focusing mainly on classical music while honing my skills. In addition to solo performance, I studied extensively in chamber music and two-piano repertoire, and I had the opportunity to perform twice on stage as a soloist in piano concertos. While not to the same extent as classical, I also learned jazz and pop through practical performance. I was active as a pianist in various settings, including instrumental and vocal/choral accompaniment, performance assistance for other departments, and recording sessions. Beyond the piano, I devoted five years to the trombone in a wind ensemble. I hope to draw on these experiences to share the charm of music with many people.

Music is indispensable at graduation ceremonies.

Memories of student life—days spent with friends and teachers, club activities, school trips—float back as if they were yesterday, and sink in all the more alongside lyrics that resonate.

In this article, we introduce recommended graduation songs, mainly J-pop, that make those special moments even more vivid when performed by a wind ensemble.

Along with timeless classics that have been loved for years, we also feature masterpieces that have become popular in the Reiwa era and beyond, so be sure to check them out.

We hope that a wind ensemble performance will add even more color to this important day of celebrating a new beginning at your graduation ceremony!

[2026] Graduation songs you’ll want to play in concert band! A moving J‑POP collection (31–40)

cherry blossomKobukuro

Kobukuro “Sakura”

cherry blossomKobukuro

Wind Band Hit: Sakura / Kobukuro

A masterpiece whose gentle, bittersweet melody and lyrics resonate deeply.

It’s also Kobukuro’s debut single, a work that can be called their point of origin.

Centered on themes of heartbreak and farewell, it portrays changes in life and emotion, as well as growth, through the image of cherry blossoms.

The song’s stance—cherishing feelings that don’t fade even after they scatter, while singing about the strength to move forward—is striking.

Released as a single in November 2005, it was re-released in a CD+DVD format the following February.

Chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Ns’ Aoi,” it has become a piece that offers comfort to many listeners.

A song you’ll want to hear during graduation ceremonies and the season of farewells.

As spring arrives and graduates prepare to take a new step forward, why not perform this deeply moving piece in a wind ensemble arrangement?

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threadNakajima Miyuki

thread

threadNakajima Miyuki

Ito (Wind Band Selection)

A masterpiece whose delicate words, woven by Miyuki Nakajima, sink deeply into listeners’ hearts.

Through the metaphor of warp and weft, it portrays the mystery of encounters in life and the threads of fate.

Released in 1992, the song later became widely known when it was chosen as the theme for the 1998 drama “March of the Saints.” Its lyrics gently depict human connections and the warmth that arises within them, making it a beloved piece that accompanies life’s milestones such as graduations and weddings.

It is also well-suited to wind ensemble performance, and if played at a graduation ceremony, it is sure to create a moving moment.

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spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Spring Melancholy

spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE

Spring Melancholy [Mrs. GREEN APPLE] Ensemble

This song delicately portrays the transience of youth and the emotions of adolescence.

It’s said that Motoki Omori, the vocalist of Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, wrote it the day after his high school graduation ceremony.

It’s a perfect track to listen to during graduation season.

The song was tied in as the theme for Suntory’s “Craft Boss” commercial and became widely loved.

In March 2024, it surpassed 100 million cumulative streams on the Billboard JAPAN charts.

Why not give it a listen this spring, a season that evokes farewells and growth? Its heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody are sure to color your memories.

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Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46

The Only One Who Knows Is the Graduation Photo by Hinatazaka46

Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46

A song by Hinatazaka46 themed around graduation.

It gently sings of the bittersweet feelings of the cherry blossom season and the love that went unspoken.

Memories and regrets sealed in graduation photos resonate deeply, intertwined with clear, transparent vocals.

Set for release on January 29, 2025, the track features Nao Kosaka as center and will be available in five editions: limited first-press versions and a regular edition.

It was premiered at their Tokyo Dome concert on December 26, 2024.

It’s a recommended listen not only for students entering graduation season, but also for anyone who wants to reflect on past loves.

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Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro

Naotaro Moriyama – Sakura (Solo)

Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro

Sakura (Solo) / Naotaro Moriyama [Grade 3 / Wind Ensemble Selection]

Naotaro Moriyama’s second single “Sakura” has been performed at many graduation ceremonies.

Despite its simple melody, the lyrics—using cherry blossoms as a motif that overlaps with the season of parting—leave a strong impression.

After its release, its popularity steadily grew, and it became a special song for many students.

The piece shines with wind instruments, inspiring numerous wind ensemble arrangements, and it remains memorable to perform as well.

Its gently permeating message tenderly encourages everyone embarking on a new chapter, enriching each moment of the graduation ceremony with deeper beauty.

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