Maaya Sakamoto writes and composes ‘Tokei’ alongside Shōhei Koga, blending introspective lyrics with a gentle melody. The song reflects on the bittersweet nature of goodbyes and the journey of self-discovery. It tells the story of moving forward while cherishing the memories of the past.
Released: December 28, 2025
Tokei
Maaya Sakamoto
Tokei Meaning & Lyrics (Maaya Sakamoto)
The musician mentions dry wings ready to soar again, a metaphor for resilience and hope. Lines like ‘If fading away someday is what it means to be alive’ suggest a deep acceptance of life’s impermanence. The songwriter balances nostalgia with a forward-looking perspective.
Omoiegaiteta sayonara to wa sukoshi chigatta neThe goodbye I’d imagined wasn’t quite what happened, was it?
Bokura ga deatta riyuu ga ima wakattaI’ve finally understood the reason why we met.
Nani o nashitogeta to ka dare ga tadashikatta to kaWhether we achieved something or who was right,
Hito ga shiritagaru koto wa bokura ni wa imi ga nakuteThe things people want to know don’t matter to us at all.
Hane ga kawaitara mou ichido takaku takaku tobitateru karaOnce my wings are dry, I’ll be able to fly high, so high again,
Ima dake wa me o tojite komiagete kuru omoi no mamaSo just for now, I’ll close my eyes and let these surging feelings flow.
Kimi to waratte sa aruita kisetsu keshiki dakishimenagaraWhile holding tight to the seasons and scenes we walked through together, laughing,
Itsuka wa iroaseteku sore ga ikitekute koto naraIf fading away someday is what it means to be alive.
Koushite bokura no bouken wa owaruThis is how our adventure comes to an end,
Mashiro ni hirogaru tsugi no peeji eTurning toward the next page spreading out in pure white.
Kobune de ginga o hitorikiri kogidashita kibun daIt feels like I’ve set out alone across the galaxy in a small boat;
Tabibito ga minna yuukan na wake ja naiIt’s not like every traveler is naturally brave.
Nan no hentetsu mo nai tada no ichibanboshi oTaking an ordinary evening star with nothing special about it
Kizashi to uketomeru toki byoushin wa ugokidasun daAnd seeing it as a sign, the second hand begins its move.
Akiramenai no wa kuyashii kara ja nakute shinjite iru karaI don’t refuse to give up out of spite, but because I believe;
Boku ni wa negai ga aru souzouryoku ya kanousei moI have a wish, along with imagination and possibility.
Tsutaetakatta na koukai shiteru koto wa hitotsu mo nai tteI really wanted to tell you I don’t have a single regret.
Kimi kara uketotta mono boku mo dareka ni watasetara ii naI hope I can pass on what I’ve received from you to someone else.
Hitotsu erandara hoka no mirai wa sutete ushinau no kanaIf I choose one path, do I throw away and lose every other future?
Soretomo sono hitotsu o mamoru mienai tate ni naru noOr does it become an invisible shield to protect that one choice?
Kimi to waratte sa aruita kisetsu keshiki dakishimenagaraWhile holding tight to the seasons and scenes we walked through together, laughing,
Dokoka de tsunagatte iru sore ga ikitekute koto naraIf being connected somewhere is what it means to be alive.
Koushite bokura no bouken wa owaruThis is how our adventure comes to an end,
Mashiro ni hirogaru tsugi no peeji eTurning toward the next page spreading out in pure white.
Tokei Music Video
The meaning behind ‘Tokei’ is a heartfelt exploration of life’s transitions. This Japanese track from Maaya Sakamoto offers a poignant tribute to growth and letting go.