Sotsugyoshiki: Japanese Graduation Ceremonies

March brings songs, certificates, flowers and quiet emotion as students close a chapter and step toward the spring school year.

Published October 19, 2026 at 12:16 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Sotsugyoshiki is the graduation ceremony held in Japan, usually in March at the end of the school year. Students receive their diplomas one by one, schools sing traditional songs, and families attend in formal clothes. University graduates, especially women, often wear hakama. Warm photos, flowers and farewell messages follow the ceremony.

When graduation happens

In Japan, the school year ends in March, so graduation ceremonies for elementary, junior high and high schools take place in that month. Universities also hold ceremonies in March, though the schedule varies by institution. The spring timing links graduation with the start of cherry blossom season in some regions. Unlike the beginning of the school year, which starts in April, March is a time of closing. Students finish their final exams, clean their classrooms and say farewell to teachers and friends.

Younger students often prepare songs and messages for the older class. Each school sets its own date, and many choose a weekday in the middle or end of the month. Ceremonies for kindergarten and nursery schools also exist, often with small certificates and a celebratory lunch. The mood is warm and sentimental, and the sense of ending is balanced by excitement about what comes next. Teachers often use the final days of term to look back at memories from the year, and class photo albums are common keepsakes.

The ceremony format

The event takes place in the school gym or auditorium. Graduates enter together, often to music, while parents and guests watch from seats. Younger students and teachers may attend as well. The principal presides, and the tone is formal. The central moment is the presentation of diplomas. Each graduate's name is called, and they walk to the stage to receive a certificate, sometimes in a ceremonial manner with a bow.

At larger schools, a representative may receive the certificate on behalf of the class, while others get theirs later in the classroom. Speeches follow from the principal, a guest and a student representative. Younger students may offer a farewell message, and graduates reply with their own thanks. Songs are sung, and the ceremony ends with graduates leaving the hall to applause.

Music and traditional songs

Music is a major part of the atmosphere. A traditional song often associated with graduation is Hotaru no Hikari, a Japanese lyric set to the melody known in English as Auld Lang Syne. Another is Aogeba Toutoshi, a school song about gratitude to teachers. Many schools have their own farewell songs as well. Popular songs about graduation and partings are common, and schools may choose recent pieces as well as classics.

Choirs and bands perform, and students sometimes sing together in the hall. These songs create an emotional moment, and it is common to see tears among students and parents. The expression of feelings is accepted, and the ceremony allows people to say goodbye in a shared way. Younger students who sing for the graduates often practice for weeks, and the moment when both groups sing together is remembered by many people for years.

What people wear

For primary and secondary schools, students usually wear their uniforms. Some schools allow neat clothes where there is no uniform. Parents wear formal clothing, such as dark suits and dresses in subdued colors, and some wear a small corsage. At university ceremonies, a distinctive tradition has developed. Many women wear kimono with hakama, a pleated skirt-like garment worn over the kimono, often with boots.

The style is associated with the Meiji and Taisho periods, when female students wore it. Bright colors and patterns are popular. Men typically wear suits, and some wear traditional formal kimono. Rental shops offer hakama sets, and bookings are made months in advance. Hair and makeup salons are busy early in the morning on graduation day. Rental shops often include accessories such as a bag, shoes and hair ornaments in the set.

Customs and keepsakes

Graduation brings small traditions. Students exchange messages in yearbooks or on colored paper, sign each other's uniforms or notebooks and take group photos. Teachers often give a final speech in the classroom, and the class takes a picture together. A well-known custom in schools with uniforms is asking for the second button of a uniform jacket from someone you admire.

The second button is closest to the heart, so the gesture is seen as a sentimental token. It appears in stories and songs and is treated as a sweet memory. Flowers, bouquets and small gifts are common. Photographs at the gate or beneath blossoms are taken by families. Some schools have a signboard for graduation photos, similar to the one used at entrance ceremonies.

After the ceremony

After the ceremony, graduates return to the classroom for a final session. They receive their certificate folders, yearbook and messages from teachers. The atmosphere is emotional, and hugs and photos are common. Many families celebrate with a meal. Restaurants offer graduation menus in March, and they can be busy. Some groups of friends plan farewell parties, karaoke outings or trips before they part ways.

For those moving on to higher education or work, graduation is a short pause before the new year begins in April. Students may spend the weeks between March and April preparing for the next stage, shopping for new uniforms or suits, moving to a new town and visiting new schools. The break is short, but it gives a chance to rest before the spring term, and many families use it for a small trip, a family meal or simply a quiet week at home.

Graduation season tips for visitors and parents

If you are in Japan in March, you may see graduates in hakama around university campuses, and groups of students taking photos. Public spaces such as parks and shrines are popular photo spots. It is fine to enjoy the atmosphere from a distance. Always ask permission before photographing individuals. Graduation is a personal moment, and families appreciate privacy. If someone invites you to take a photo, accept kindly. Rental shops, florists and photo studios are busy at this time. If you plan to rent a kimono for a photo, make reservations early. March weather can be changeable, so dress in layers.

If your child is graduating in Japan, check the school letter for the schedule, dress code and seating. Prepare a small bouquet or gift if appropriate, and bring a handkerchief. Arrive early to find a seat. You may be asked to help with preparations or to contribute to a class gift. Schools usually explain the arrangements, and parent representatives coordinate. If anything is unclear, ask a teacher or another parent. Take time to enjoy the moment. Graduation in Japan combines formality and warmth, and the ceremony offers a chance to thank teachers and celebrate achievements.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is sotsugyoshiki?

Most graduation ceremonies take place in March at the end of the Japanese school year. University dates vary but are usually in mid to late March. Each school sets its own date and announces it in advance, so families check the school notice for the exact day and time.

Why do women wear hakama at university graduation?

The hakama style is linked to female students in the Meiji and Taisho eras, and it has become a graduation tradition. Many women choose it for its elegance and nostalgia. Rental shops offer complete sets with accessories, and bookings are often made months in advance.

What is the second button tradition?

In uniform schools, some students ask for the second button of a jacket from someone they admire, because it is near the heart. It is a sentimental custom that appears in stories and songs. Today it is a gentle, mostly symbolic gesture, and many students simply exchange messages instead.

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More guides from Tokyo Paul: Nyugakushiki: School Entrance Ceremonies in Spring, Hatachi: Turning Twenty in Japan and Shichi-Go-San: Children's Shrine Visit Customs.