Sukiyaki Song – Lyrics in Japanese & English

Do you know this Japanese song – Sukiyaki Song?

The original title of the song in Japanese is 上を向いて歩こう（うえをむいてあるこう）”Ue o muite arukou” by Kyu Sakamoto. ⠀

The Sukiyaki Song “Ue o muite arukou” was released in 1961 in Japan. It reached the top of the Billboard charts in the US in 1963.⠀

This is such a famous song in my country and I was truly surprised to learn that the song is called “Sukiyaki” outside Japan. 😮 Sukiyaki is the name of a Japanese hot pot dish and has nothing to do with the meaning of the song!⠀
They say the title “Sukiyaki” was picked only because it was short, catchy, and recognizably Japanese in English-speaking countries.⠀

Sukiyaki Song – Lyrics

One of the fun ways to learn a language is to learn from a song! 🎵 As you sing along, you naturally learn some vocabulary, train your listening comprehension and pronunciation. 🎶⠀

Find below the lyrics of “Ue o muite arukou” in Japanese and English. I did sing the song in Japanese in the video, so please try singing along with me! 🎤🎼

上を向いて歩こう（うえをむいてあるこう）Ue o muite arukou
I look up as I walk

涙がこぼれないように（なみだがこぼれないように）Namida ga koborenai youni
So that the tears won’t fall

思い出す春の日（おもいだすはるのひ）Omoidasu haru no hi
Remembering those spring days

一人ぼっちの夜（ひとりぼっちのよる）Hitoribocchi no yoru
And tonight, I am all alone

上を向いて歩こう（うえをむいてあるこう）Ue o muite arukou
I look up as I walk

にじんだ星を数えて（にじんだほしをかぞえて）Nijinda hoshi o kazoete
Counting the stars with tearful eyes

思い出す夏の日（おもいだすなつのひ）Omoidasu natsu no hi
Remembering those summer days

一人ぼっちの夜（ひとりぼっちのよる）Hitoribocchi no yoru
And tonight, I am all alone

幸せは雲の上に（しあわせはくものうえに）Shiawase wa kumo no ue ni
Happiness lies beyond the clouds

幸せは空の上に（しあわせはそらにうえに）Shiawase wa sora no ue ni
Happiness lies above the sky

上を向いて歩こう（うえをむいてあるこう）Ue o muite arukou
I look up as I walk

涙がこぼれないように（なみだがこぼれないように）Namida ga koborenai youni
So that the tears won’t fall

泣きながら歩く（なきながらあるく）Nakinagara aruku
But the tears well up as I walk

一人ぼっちの夜（ひとりぼっちのよる）Hitoribocchi no yoru
For tonight, I am all alone

Do you want to be able to read the lyrics in Hiragana? Try my complete Hiragana lesson!

About the Singer – Kyu Sakamoto

The singer, 坂本九（さかもときゅう）Kyu Sakamoto was called 九ちゃん Kyu-chan by Japanese people and dearly loved. Sadly, he was killed in an airplane crash in 1985 at the age of 43.

Here is the original version of Sukiyaki Song by Kyu Sakamoto.

Beautiful Lyrics in Japanese

The lyrics tell the story of a man who looks up and whistles while he is walking so that his tears won’t fall. The verses of the song describe his memories and feelings. 

The lyricist of this song, 永六輔（えいろくすけ）Rokusuke Ei put a deep emotions into such a simple Japanese, which has added the song even more depth.

Learn Japanese Online

Are you interested in learning Japanese? I have a free online course for you to start. It is a self-faced course but I will always be there to assist you throughout the course. You can leave any questions you may have!

I hope you enjoyed this post about Sukiyaki Song. 🙂

Did you already know about the son? How did you like the song if this is the firs time you heard it? Leave me comments below! では、また。

裕子先生（ゆうこせんせい）Yuko sensei