Photo Courtesy of Yukka
In today’s ever-evolving music landscape, artists who can connect across cultures are more important than ever—and Yukka is one of them.
A singer-songwriter from Japan, Yukka has steadily built her presence through heartfelt lyrics, melodic compositions, and intimate guitar-driven performances. From local stages in Japan to international festivals and tours, she continues to share her music with audiences around the world, bringing a piece of Japanese artistry to a global stage.
In this exclusive City Stories feature we sit down with Yukka to talk about her musical journey, inspirations, and the experiences that have shaped her as an artist today
If you were to describe yourself as an artist in three words for readers discovering you for the first time, what would they be?
Storyteller / Magical / Borderless.
For someone hearing your music for the first time, which song would you recommend? Why?
I would recommend my new song “Yūrei Railway.” I feel that this track captures who I am as an artist right now, so it’s the perfect introduction to my music.
Compared to other Japanese singer-songwriters, what do you think makes your music unique?
I believe the defining feature of my music is that each song feels like a small story. I write lyrics in Japanese and carefully craft melodies and rhythms that are pleasant to the ear, while aiming to create music that can be enjoyed as J-Pop anywhere in the world.
Each song has its own world and narrative, and I would be happy if listeners feel as though they are traveling through those worlds when they listen. For example, my latest track “Yūrei Railway” is also a story-like song based on an imaginary train.
Through its rhythmic sound, I try to express invisible beauty as well as emotions that are sometimes a little cruel but very real. I think that blend of storytelling and atmosphere is what makes my music distinctive.
How would you describe the overall atmosphere or world of your music?
Each of my songs is like a small story waiting to be discovered.
Please introduce your latest song “Yūrei Railway” to listeners who are hearing it for the first time.
“Yūrei Railway” is a story-like song centered around an imaginary train. The beat is inspired by the rhythmic sound of a train moving along the tracks. As the song progresses, it invites listeners to imagine what people might remember as they travel toward the final destination of life—what memories stay with them and what moments come back to their minds.
Although the title might sound a little like a horror story, the song actually portrays a mysterious world with a gentle and emotional atmosphere.
What story or emotions inspired this song?
I often take the last train or late-night trains. While listening to the sound of the train as it moves through the night, I started wondering: If I boarded this train and traveled somewhere far away, never able to return, who would I think about? What words would I remember? What moments from my life would come back to me?
That idea led me to compare life’s ending and the experience of parting with people to the image of riding the final train of one’s life. From that thought, I began writing the song “Yūrei Railway.”
In one sentence, how would you describe the song to encourage someone to press the play button?
A mysterious train heading toward life’s final destination—why not take a ride on it, just once?
When would you like listeners to hear this song?
I would love for people to listen to it while riding a train alone at night, or whenever they’re in a quiet, reflective mood. I hope they can imagine themselves traveling through the landscapes of their own memories.
Is there a lyric in the song that is especially meaningful to you?
One of my favorite lines is:
“Surely, what we’ve given is far more valuable than what we’ve collected.
That’s what truly remains in our hearts.”
Someone once said something similar to me, and it stayed with me. When I think about my own life and imagine the moment when it ends, I wonder what my greatest happiness would have been.
I feel that it’s not about what I gained, but about the moments when I was able to give hope to someone or share kindness with others.
How does this song reflect who you are as an artist today?
This song represents my determination about how I want to live my life as an artist.
The theme of the “ghost train,” the train you ride at the end of life, made me naturally think about the destination I want to reach and what I want to leave behind in this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
If I can share my musical world in many countries, connect emotionally with people across cultures, and bring someone hope or joy through my music, then I would feel that my life as an artist has been truly meaningful.
What emotions would you like international listeners to feel through this song?
Through the steady rhythm of the train and the sounds that resemble a train moving along the tracks, I hope listeners can reflect on the scenery of their own lives and feel as if they are experiencing the “Yūrei Railway” themselves.
Why do you think people who don’t understand Japanese can still connect with this song?
I paid special attention to the sound design to fully express the concept of the “ghost train.” The song includes real train sounds and announcements, as well as ghost-like synthesizer tones.
Because of that, I believe listeners can still enjoy the rhythm and imagine the scenery even without understanding the lyrics.
If this song were part of a movie soundtrack, what kind of scene would it fit?
I imagine a scene where the main character boards a train after saying goodbye to someone important. As the train moves forward, they reflect on their memories and the life they’ve lived. Even so, the train keeps moving toward tomorrow.
If this played near the end of the movie, it could create a beautiful moment where the sadness of farewell overlaps with hope for the future.
For people who have never seen your live performance, what can they expect when you perform this song on stage?
In 2026, I will hold a live tour called the “Yukka Railway TOUR,” performing in several countries around the world.
The concept is like a train traveling across borders while carrying J-Pop music on its journey. During the tour, the stage visuals and production will make the audience feel as if they are riding the train together with us.
After listening to this song, which track should new fans listen to next?
I would recommend “You Disappeared in One Short Night.”
It has a nostalgic Japanese summer sound and captures the bittersweet feeling of looking back on memories from a single summer night. Before summer arrives, I hope people will give it a listen.
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