When I open the lid to the rice steamer, a mysterious, white world appers.
I put some salt and piping hot rice into the palm of my hand and roll it with love.
Okaka, tsukuda, konbu, umeboshi, and mentaiko
I wonder which one I should use? There’s just too much to chose from.

NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri tobikiri omoikiri
rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball oishii aji wa ikaga

NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri I dive into you with all my might.
Rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball. In for a delicious flavor?

hankachi ni kurunde honya e hashiru tanoshimi ni shiteita hatsubaibi
urayama no ki no ue dare mo shiranai watashi no tokutouseki
futari koi ni yukue ni harahara tokidokidoki
mekumekumekuru peeji to kuchimoto ni tsuita obentou

I tuck a ball into my handkerchief and rush to the bookstore. I had been looking forward to the release of a new book.
I have a special seat in a tree in the hills that no one else knows about.
I’m all excited and anxious about the characters’ love story.
I turn, turn, turn the pages and then my lunch touches my mouth.

NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri yomikiri hitorikiri
rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball suteki na koi ga shitai

NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri. I read the whole book in one sitting all by myself.
Rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball. I wish I could fall in love.

NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri yubikiri futarikiri
rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball suteki na koi ga shitai
NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri tobikiri omoikiri
rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball oishii aji wa ikaga

NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri. It’s just the two of us together.
Rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball. I wish I could fall in love.
NIGI NIGI NIGI onigiri I dive into you with all my might.
Rice ball, nice ball, lovely ball, lucky ball. In for a delicious flavor?

* Okaka, umeboshi, mentaiko, etc., are ingredients that are strong in flavor that are put into onigiri (since all an onigiri is is a ball of rice…which has no flavor…) There are several different kinds of onigiri, and they are a very fun snack (children love them).