Whispers of the past,
Tokyo nights softly glow,
Memories that last.
懐かしい (Natsukashii) - Nostalgia / Sentimental Longing
Natsukashii is a Japanese term used when something stirs up a pleasant memory from your past. It's a word you say with a smile. For example, hearing a song you loved as a teenager or finding an old train ticket in your pocket can evoke natsukashii. In many cultures, nostalgia is often tinged with sadness, but natsukashii, derived from the verb “natsuku,” meaning “to keep close and become fond of,” reflects joy and gratitude for the past rather than a longing to return to it. In Japan, natsukashii serves as a reminder of how fortunate you are to have had those life experiences, and the inability to relive them makes them even more meaningful.
