Nogizaka46 – Kanjou rokugousen. Lyrics Meaning: The Nostalgia for a Difficult Love

Why do we sometimes miss the struggle once it’s over? Nogizaka46’s song “Kanjou rokugousen” explores this weird feeling. It’s a story about a love that was once stuck in a traffic jam, just like a real road in Tokyo.

    A Love Story on Route 6: Nogizaka46’s “Kanjou rokugousen”

    This song tells a story, and it’s super visual. It compares a slow-burning romance to a highway that was under construction for ages. You can almost feel the bus moving through the city as the singer thinks back on everything.

    The Anxious Wait

    The song kicks off with a guy who’s clearly nervous. He’s on his way to meet a girl he likes. He’s so anxious about being on time that he leaves home early and catches an earlier bus. You can feel his butterflies. He knows she’s always punctual and he really wants to make a good impression. This is a big moment for them, finally meeting alone after graduating.

    The Original Traffic Jam

    So, why was their relationship stuck for so long? The lyrics give us a clear answer. When they first met, she was already with someone else. He was completely stuck, unable to make a move. His feelings were trapped in a major emotional gridlock. He just had to wait, hoping for a chance.

    deatta ano koro wa
    Back when we met
    sou kimi ni wa mada kareshi ga ite
    That’s right, you still had a boyfriend
    boku no kokoro ugokezu ni
    My heart couldn’t move
    temae de jitto shiteta
    I was just stuck right before it

    The Smooth Road Feels… Empty

    Fast forward to the present. The road, Tokyo’s Kanjo Route 6, is finally finished. There are no more delays, no more traffic jams. The bus is cruising along smoothly. Just like their relationship—the obstacles are gone! They are finally together. But here’s the twist. He doesn’t feel pure joy. Instead, he feels a weird sense of loss and loneliness. The easy, smooth journey just feels empty compared to the difficult past.

    itsumo koujichuu datta
    It was always under construction
    kanjou roku gousen
    Kanjo Route 6
    yatto kansei shitan da ne
    It’s finally complete, huh?
    mou juutai shiteinai
    There’s no more traffic
    dakedo shizen ni nagareru
    But for some reason, the lane flowing so naturally
    naze darou sabishiku omoete kuru yo
    Why does it make me feel so lonely?

    What’s the Core Story Here?

    “Kanjou rokugousen” uses a real-life highway as a big metaphor. The long, frustrating construction of the road perfectly mirrors the slow, complicated path of their love. Now that both the road and the relationship are “complete” and smooth, the singer feels nostalgic for the “traffic jam” because that’s when his feelings were the strongest.

    The Bittersweet Lesson in the Traffic Jam

    The message here is pretty deep. It’s not just about love, but about life. Sometimes, the struggle is what makes the destination feel worth it. The song suggests that the anticipation, the longing, and the challenges we face are a huge part of the experience. An easy journey can feel less meaningful. He misses the memory of a love that didn’t go as planned because that “jam” was filled with intense emotion. It’s a sweet, sad reminder to appreciate the journey, bumps and all.

    What’s Your Take on Route 6?

    It’s such a relatable feeling, right? Missing the chaos once things calm down. Do you think he’s just being nostalgic, or is there a real sadness in getting what you want too easily? I’d love to hear how you interpret the story in “Kanjou rokugousen”. Let me know what you think!

    Lyrics: "Kanjou rokugousen" by Nogizaka46


    Nogizaka46 – Kanjou rokugousen [Lyrics KANJI]


    早めに家を出て
    一本前のバスに乗った
    遅刻するわけにはいかない
    大事な待ち合わせ

    几帳面な君は
    時間よりも先に来るだろう
    だらしない人だと思われたくない

    卒業してから やっと二人で
    会えるようになったのにね
    友達のままの方がよかったのかな

    いつも 工事中だった
    環状六号線
    やっと完成したんだね
    もう渋滞していない
    だけど 自然に流れる
    その車線が
    なぜだろう 寂しく思えて来るよ
    思い通り
    進まない恋の記憶

    出会ったあの頃は
    そう君にはまだ彼氏がいて
    僕の心 動けずに
    手前でじっとしてた

    あきらめかけたけど
    他の道は選びたくなくて
    君だけをこのまま好きでいたかった

    時間(とき)は流れて いろいろあって
    ちょっといい感じになった
    これから君と僕はどうなるのかな

    バスは順調に走る
    環状六号線
    何も障害ないように
    246を右折して
    あっけないくらい空いてる
    この風景が
    なぜだろう 切なく思えてしまう
    遠い昔
    渋滞が懐かしいよ

    いつも 工事中だった
    環状六号線
    やっと完成したんだね
    もう渋滞していない
    だけど 自然に流れる
    その車線が
    なぜだろう 寂しく思えて来るよ
    思い通り
    進まない恋の記憶

    Nogizaka46 – Kanjou rokugousen [Lyrics ROMAJI]


    Haya me ni ie o dete
    Ippon mae no basu ni notta
    Chikoku suru wake ni wa ikanai
    Daiji na machiawase

    Kichōmen na kimi wa
    Jikan yori mo saki ni kuru darō
    Darashinai hito da to omowaretakunai

    Sotsugyō shite kara yatto futari de
    Aeru yō ni natta no ni ne
    Tomodachi no mama no hō ga yokatta no kana

    Itsumo kōji-chū datta
    Kanjō Rokugōsen
    Yatto kansei shita n’ da ne
    Mō jūtai shite inai
    Dakedo shizen ni nagareru
    Sono shasen ga
    Naze darō sabishiku omoete kuru yo
    Omoitori
    Susumanai koi no kioku

    Deatta ano koro wa
    Sō kimi ni wa mada kareshi ga ite
    Boku no kokoro ugokezu ni
    Temae de jitto shiteta

    Akirame kaketa kedo
    Hoka no michi wa erabitakunakute
    Kimi dake o kono mama suki de itakatta

    Toki (toki) wa nagarete iroiro atte
    Chotto ii kanji ni natta
    Korekara kimi to boku wa dō naru no kana

    Basu wa junkyō ni hashiru
    Kanjō Rokugōsen
    Nanimo shōgai nai yō ni
    Ni-yon-roku o usetsu shite
    Akkenai kurai aiteru
    Kono fūkei ga
    Naze darō setsunaku omoete shimau
    Tōi mukashi
    Jūtai ga natsukashii yo

    Itsumo kōji-chū datta
    Kanjō Rokugōsen
    Yatto kansei shita n’ da ne
    Mō jūtai shite inai
    Dakedo shizen ni nagareru
    Sono shasen ga
    Naze darō sabishiku omoete kuru yo
    Omoitori
    Susumanai koi no kioku

    Nogizaka46 – Kanjou rokugousen [English translation]


    I left home early
    And took the bus before mine.
    I can’t possibly be late,
    It’s an important meeting.

    You’re so punctual,
    You’ll probably arrive even before the appointed time.
    I don’t want you to think I’m a sloppy person!

    After graduating, we finally
    Started being able to meet just the two of us, you know?
    I wonder if it would have been better if we had just remained friends.

    The Kanjou Rokugousen (Ring Road No. 6)
    Was always under construction.
    It’s finally finished, isn’t it?
    There are no more traffic jams.
    But for some reason,
    Those lanes that flow so smoothly now
    Make me feel a little lonely.
    Memories of a love
    That didn’t progress as I wished.

    Back when we first met,
    Yes, you still had a boyfriend.
    My heart couldn’t make a move,
    And just stayed put, right before you.

    I almost gave up, but
    I didn’t want to choose any other path.
    I just wanted to keep loving only you like this.

    Time flowed, and many things happened,
    And now things feel a little good between us.
    I wonder what will happen with you and me from now on.

    The bus runs smoothly
    On Kanjou Rokugousen.
    Turning right onto Route 246
    As if there are no obstacles at all.
    This scenery,
    So surprisingly clear of traffic,
    For some reason makes me feel so sad.
    From a long time ago,
    I actually miss the traffic jams.

    The Kanjou Rokugousen (Ring Road No. 6)
    Was always under construction.
    It’s finally finished, isn’t it?
    There are no more traffic jams.
    But for some reason,
    Those lanes that flow so smoothly now
    Make me feel a little lonely.
    Memories of a love
    That didn’t progress as I wished.

    Related Post