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

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!

Playlist

[2026] Graduation songs you’ll want to play in concert band! A collection of moving J‑Pop hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	CorrectRADWIMPS		RADWIMPS’s “Seikai (The Answer),” imbued with youthful challenge and hope
2	far; distant; by farGReeeeN		Graduation song, a moving ballad
3	We againSG		A moving graduation song that colors the milestones of life
4	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		Eikou no Kakehashi, an inspiring graduation song
5	March 9Remioromen		The timeless song “March 9th” that brightens the start of graduation.
6	About meMrs. GREEN APPLE		A moving song that portrays self-acceptance and growth
7	proofflumpool		flumpool’s graduation song portrays friendship and growth
8	To the futureKiroro		The emotion of graduation, a song of hope and gratitude
9	YELLikimonogakari		A song filled with the emotion and hope of graduation
10	HarukaYOASOBI		A moving graduation song that depicts growth and parting
11	I should be able to fly (in the sky).supittsu		Spitz’s classic song “Cherry,” memories of youth
12	Daphne (winter daphne)DISH//		‘Jinchoge’ is recommended as graduation ceremony BGM.
13	ChessboardOfisharu Higedan Dism		A moving song about life’s choices and encounters
14	sunflowerAdo		A cheering anthem for graduates moving forward
15	On the Day of Departure		A farewell song that conveys the emotion of the graduation ceremony
16	Letter ~Dear Fifteen-Year-Old Me~Anjura Aki		A classic dedicated to young people walking toward the future
17	evening primroseNovelbright		Graduation season, a touching and bittersweet song
18	Full of memoriesH₂O		“H2O” is a moving masterpiece beloved across generations.
19	Song of DepartureMr.Children		A graduation song by Mr.Children—a track that resonates with the heart
20	Words of FarewellKaientai		Theme song of 3-nen B-gumi Kinpachi-sensei: a song of parting and kindness
21	Kitearashi		“Kaito” is a classic song that conveys the emotion and hope of graduation.
22	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		The Song of Nobita and Doraemon’s Bond
23	secret base 〜What You Gave Me〜ZONE		A graduation song filled with memories of youth
24	The meaning of goodbyeNogizaka 46		Parting teaches us the preciousness of meeting.
25	Thank youFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A final single that portrays gratitude and farewell
26	OrangeSPYAIR		SPYAIR's moving graduation song
27	Friend ~Time of Departure~yuzu		Yuzu’s famous song that portrays friendship and bonds, perfect for graduation ceremonies
28	my graduationSPEED		SPEED’s “White Snow,” a landmark graduation song
29	End and Beginningkariyushi 58		An uplifting song that conveys hope in life and positivity
30	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s spring song echoes at the graduation ceremony.
31	The Door to TomorrowI WiSH		An inspiring graduation song, courage for a new step forward
32	road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)EXILE		EXILE “Michi (Road)” that moves hearts at graduation ceremonies
33	365 Days’ Paper AirplaneAKB48		A classic song that sings of setting out after graduation with hope
34	Best FriendKiroro		An inspiring masterpiece that sings of friendship, adding color to life.
35	Graduation PhotoMatsutōya Yumi		A classic song that captures youthful memories: Graduation Photo
36	We Look Up to You with Respect		A Song of Gratitude to Teachers and School Memories
37	Only the graduation photo knowsHinatazaka46		Singing of the bittersweet feeling of graduation and of love in the season of cherry blossoms
38	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima: a masterpiece depicting life and bonds
39	cherry blossomKobukuro		A masterpiece that expresses heartbreak and growth through a song about cherry blossoms
40	Sakura (Solo)Moriyama Naotaro		Depicting farewell and a new beginning in a song about cherry blossoms
41	spring melancholyMrs. GREEN APPLE		A timeless, heartfelt song that captures the feelings of youth
42	Homeward Road in MarchHirai Dai		In the season when the cherry blossoms bloom, Dai Hirai’s songs resonate with my heart.
43	Everyone, everyone is shining.Yugeda Kensuke		A message of encouragement to children singing of spring's hope