Sukiyaki chords

by Kyu Sakamoto

Song Key: G Major

Time Signature: 2/2

Tempo: 74 bpm


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Beginner

Chords: G, Am, Bm, B7, C, Cm, D, D7, Em

Arrangement Beginners Song Details
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts Chord Chart Legend
G Major Am Bm Barre Chord Bm B7 C Major Cm Cm Barre Chord D Major D7 Em
L-H Chord Charts Lefties Chord Chart Legend
G Major-LH Am-LH Bm Barre Chord-LH Bm_LH B7-LH C Major-LH Cm-LH Cm Barre Chord-LH D Major-LH D7-LH Em-LH
Speed: x0.1

Sukiyaki

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key 
          G     Em     Bm     D7
Intro: |     |      |      |     |

 G       Em      G      Em
1. Ue- o mu-i-te   a-ru-kō
 G          Bm       Em      D
   Na mi-da ga ko-bo-re na-i you-ni
 G           Am  C        B7
   O-mo-i-da-su  ha-ru-no hi
   Em   C   Bm  Am       G       C   Bm    Am
   Hi-to-ri-poc-chi no | yo-ru -   |    -     |

 G       Em      G      Em
2. Ue- o mu-i-te   a-ru-kō
 G         Bm        Em      D
   Ni-ji-n-da ho-shi o ka-zo-e-te
 G           Am  C         B7
   O-mo-i-da-su  na-tsu no hi
   Em   C   Bm  Am       G          G7
   Hi-to-ri-poc-chi no | yo - ru |      |

   C                    G
** Shi a wa se wa ku mo no u-e ni
   Cm                   Bm  A7   D7
   Shi a wa se wa so ra no  u-e  ni

 G       Em      G      Em
3. Ue- o mu-i-te   a-ru-kō
 G          Bm       Em      D
   Na mi-da ga ko-bo-re na-i you-ni
 G             Am   C    B7
   Na-ki na-ga-ra   a-ru-ku
   Em   C   Bm  Am       G    C    Bm    Am
   Hi-to-ri-poc-chi no | yo - ru |    -     |

           G   Em   G   Em   G   Bm   Em   D
Whistle: |   |    |   |    |   |    |    |   |

 G           Am  C         B7
   O-mo-i-da-su  na-tsu no hi
   Em   C   Bm  Am       G          G7
   Hi-to-ri-poc-chi no | yo - ru |      |

   C                      G 
** Ka-na-shi-mi wa ho-shi no ka-ge ni
   Cm                     Bm  A7     D7
   Ka-na-shi-mi wa tsu-ki no  ka-ge  ni


 G       Em      G      Em
4. Ue- o mu-i-te   a-ru-kō
 G          Bm       Em      D
   Na mi-da ga ko-bo-re na-i you-ni
 G             Am   C  B7
   Na-ki na-ga-ra a-ru-ku
   Em   C   Bm  Am       G    C    Bm    Am
   Hi-to-ri-poc-chi no | yo - ru |    -     |

   Em   C   Bm  Am       G    C    Bm    Am
   Hi-to-ri-poc-chi no | yo - ru |    -     |

           G   Em   G   Em   G   Bm   Em   D
Whistle: |   |    |   |    |   |    |    |   |...fade out

Arrangement Details:

  • Key Signature: G Major – 1 sharp (F#)
  • Time Signature: 2/2— Two half-note beats per measure
  • Tempo: Moderately
  • Metronome: h = 74 (h represents a half-note)
  • Voice Range: D4 - E5
  • Chord Types in This Arrangement:
    • Major chords: G, C, D
    • Minor chords: Am, Bm, Cm, Em
    • Dominant 7th chords: B7, D7

🎸 Beginner Guitarists:

B7, Bm, and Cm might feel challenging at first, but they become easy with a bit of practice. B7 and Bm show up in so many songs, so learning them now will make a huge difference in your playing long‑term.

Bm and Cm in the open position compliment each other nicely. They have exactly the same shape, except Bm starts on the 2nd fret while Cm starts on the 3rd fret.

You only play the top 4 strings, and the great feature of this shape is that you can carry it up or down the entire fretboard — this same principal applies to barre chords.

With every fret upwards, you raise the chord by one semitone — if you wanted to play C#m, you would start this shape on the 4th fret.

The same principal applies if you lower the shape by one fret:
With every fret downwards, you lower the chord by one semitone — if you wanted to play Bbm, you would start this shape on the 1st fret.

Song Details:

Sukiyaki and Other Japanese Hits Album Cover
Album Cover
  • Composer: Hachidai Nakamura
  • Lyricist: Rokusuke Ei
  • Lyrics Begin: Ue o muite aruko Na mida ga kobore nai yoni
  • Genre: Kayōkyoku, Orchestral pop
  • Featured Artist: Kyu Sakamoto
  • Single:
    Recorded: 1961
    Released: 15 October 1961
    B-side: Ano ko no namae wa nanten kana
  • Album: Sukiyaki and Other Japanese Hits (US)
    Released: 1963
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