Graduation Songs for Those in Their 30s: Nostalgic Classics That Rekindle Emotions & Timeless Favorites Still Popular Today
When graduation season arrives, you hear graduation songs everywhere.
There are massive hits from the Showa and Heisei eras, songs that have become beloved staples of the season across generations, and new tracks released each year to mark the time of farewells.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that were hits when people in their 30s were graduating, or that were commonly used at graduation ceremonies.
Listening to the tracks you heard back then—songs you actually sang at the ceremony or that played as background music—might bring back those nostalgic, bittersweet feelings.
They’re also great picks for karaoke at class reunions.
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Graduation Songs for Those in Their 30s: Nostalgic Classics That Bring Back the Emotion & Timeless Favorites Still Popular Today (21–30)
GraduationYutaka Ozaki
Yutaka Ozaki delivers a work that captures the clumsy emotions of youth in their entirety with his powerful singing voice.
Frankly portraying the feelings of young people—such as the sense of suffocation in school life and distrust toward adults—this piece carries a universal message about the thirst for freedom felt within the school days that everyone experiences.
Released in January 1985 and peaking at No.
20 on the Oricon charts, it was issued as the lead single from the album Kaikisen (Tropic of Cancer).
Later, in 2016, it was also featured as the commercial song for a web-exclusive short film by a casual clothing chain, continuing to resonate with many people across generations.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to when you’re wavering between ideals and reality or questioning the norms of society.
CheersTsuyoshi Nagabuchi
This is one of Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s signature works, carrying a warm message of blessing to celebrate new beginnings.
Loved by many as an anthem cheering on those stepping onto life’s big stage, it’s a heartwarming piano folk ballad that gently stands by you and gives you the courage to move forward.
Released in September 1980, the song was born from the feeling of congratulating a friend on their wedding, then re-recorded in 1988 and became a major hit.
It also became familiar as the theme song for Kirin Lager Beer commercials in the 1990s.
It’s a powerful song of encouragement that stays close when you or your friends are at life’s milestones or starting anew, and when you need a lift yourself.
[Graduation Songs for Your 30s] Nostalgic Classics That Bring Back the Feels & Timeless Favorites Still Popular Today (31–40)
YELL ~Support~Kobukuro
Kobukuro’s “YELL ~Eru~” has been beloved by many since its 2001 release.
For graduates now in their thirties in particular, it could be called a cherished melody that colors a page of their youth.
The song is also popular as background music for graduation ceremonies and for karaoke at reunions, because it stirs the heart, steels your resolve, and gives you courage for a new beginning.
The gentle harmonies of Shunsuke Kuroda and Kentaro Kobuchi resonate with people who are at a time of parting and new encounters.
Looking back now, you’ll realize that the encouragement woven into each line of the lyrics was supporting your former self all along.
graduation tripNMB48
Released in March 2015, this NMB48 song is a heartwarming piece that cherishes bonds with friends and shared memories.
It portrays scenes of looking out at the passing landscape from a train while reflecting on the time spent together, accompanied by gentle piano tones.
Blending the hopeful glow of a faintly lit future with the bittersweet feeling of setting off on separate paths, the track achieves a harmonious balance.
It was included as a coupling track for “Don’t look back!” and is also featured on the album “Namba Ai ~Ima, Omou Koto~.” It is sure to resonate with those bidding farewell to graduating friends or parting from someone special.
Song of a Friendyuzu
Yuzu’s “Tomodachi no Uta” is a perfect song for the season of partings and new encounters, and for graduation ceremonies.
Anyone who remembers that time will feel the melodies and lyrics deeply.
Their warm vocals, as if cheering on anxious friends, are still loved by many today.
It also gained popularity as the theme song for Glico’s Pocky commercial.
Singing about thinking of old friends who’ve grown distant and wishing to see them again, this track is guaranteed to be a hit at karaoke.
Yuzu’s characteristically honest and straightforward singing style gives the power to connect hearts.
GraduaterHekiru Shiina
Known for its powerful vocals and uplifting message that champions youth, this is a must-have fan favorite at Hekiru Shiina’s live shows.
It vividly portrays the protagonist’s feelings as they cherish bonds with friends and companions while stepping forward toward their own future.
Even when faced with setbacks and doubts, the unwavering will to keep looking ahead and fighting on resonates deeply, carried by a passionate melody.
Since its release in January 1998, it has been widely supported by fans and was included on the album “Baby Blue Eyes.” The guitar work featuring DAITA from SIAM SHADE further enhances the song’s appeal.
It’s a highly recommended track for anyone about to take a new step or for those who want to cheer on someone striving toward their dreams.
A graduation song, a song of friends.19
A song by 19 that reflects fondly on the time spent with friends and expresses a wish for happiness on each person’s path.
With a gentle, acoustic-centered sound that blends with a straightforward vocal, it evokes the image of speaking softly to someone dear.
The lyrics convey that the time shared together becomes the strength to move forward into the future, and that even when far apart, we still wish for each other’s happiness.
It’s a track that communicates the strength of will—the bond deepened by the length of time spent together, and the belief that as long as our hearts remain connected, we can support one another.