AKB48 brings us ‘Nagorizakura,’ a heartfelt tune that dives into the bittersweet nostalgia of youth. The lyrics, penned by Yasushi Akimoto and karia, mix longing with reflection. The melody, also crafted by the duo, creates a warm backdrop for the story.
Released: February 2, 2026
Nagorizakura
Akb48
Lyricist
Yasushi Akimoto, Karia
Composer
Yasushi Akimoto, Karia
Nagorizakura Meaning & Lyrics (Akb48)
The songwriter Yasushi Akimoto writes about cherry blossoms swaying in the wind, symbolizing fleeting youth. One line, ‘Youth scatters away in the blink of an eye,’ hits hard, describing how quickly time passes. The lyrics also mention old classmates and the paths they’ve taken since school.
Natsukashii tsuugakuroThe nostalgic path to school.
Hisashiburi hello againIt’s been a long time, so hello again.
Ano hi hajimete koishita kimi ga yoko ni iruThe person I first loved that day is standing right beside me.
Otona ni nante naru ka“Will I ever really grow up?”
Kodomojimita koto ittetakkeI remember saying such childish things.
Seifuku kite inai bokutachi wa nanimono daNow that we aren’t wearing uniforms, who have we become?
Nagorizakura nakete kuruThese lingering cherry blossoms make me want to cry.
Nani wo mite mo subete nanika wo omoidasuNo matter what I look at, everything reminds me of something.
Kaze ni yureru hanabiraPetals sway in the wind,
Seishun wa atto iu ma ni chiruas youth scatters away in the blink of an eye.
Suki datta kimi no kotoI still think about how much I loved you,
Ima demoeven now.
Kyoushitsu no nakamatachiWhere are our classmates,
Doko de haru wo sugosuspending their spring these days?
Kaze no tayori yagate todokanakunattaThe news about them eventually stopped reaching me.
Otona ni natta ima dewaNow that I’ve grown up,
Bika shite irunda ano koroI find myself idealizing those times.
Juujiro de wakarete mirai wo uwagaki shiyouWe parted at the crossroads, so let’s start writing over the future.
Nagorizakura sayonara daIt’s goodbye to the lingering cherry blossoms.
Usubeni no hanabira ga aozora ni matteruPale pink petals are dancing against the blue sky.
Sorezore no michi eAs we head toward our separate paths,
Kokuhaku wa dekinakatta kedoI could never quite confess my feelings, but
Nankai mo furimuitaI looked back so many times.
GraduationGraduation.
Mou kitto anna niSurely, those heart-wrenching days,
Setsunai hibi wa konai darouwon’t ever come around again.
Wakasa towa sugite yuku kisetsu ni kizukanu kotoYouth means never noticing the season as it passes you by.
Mankai no kibou wa doko ni itta no kaI wonder where those hopes in full bloom have gone.
Nagorioshii hazakura yoOh, the regretful cherry trees with their new green leaves,
Mune ni saita hana wa itsushika kiete yukuthe flower that bloomed in my heart will vanish before I know it.
Rainen mata aouLet’s meet again next year.
Seishun wa atto iu ma ni chiruYouth scatters away in the blink of an eye.
Suki datta kimi no kotoI still think about how much I loved you,
Looking for the ‘Nagorizakura’ lyrics translation? It offers a touching reflection on growing up and the passage of time. AKB48 creates a sentimental connection to memories of school days and unspoken feelings.
