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“I'll Go to Tokyo” meme: meaning, origin and common card

It is a viral mashup born on Nico Nico Douga in 2008, blending the enka song 'Ora Tōkyō sa igu da' by Yoshi Ikuzō with electronic rhythms.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
I'll Go to Tokyo meme
The “I'll Go to Tokyo” meme, 2008

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “I'll Go to Tokyo” is a common card of the Memes World series 73, number 21772 of the collection, and the 120th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “I'll Go to Tokyo” meme mean?

The meme expresses humorous dissonance between traditional enka melancholy and modern digital madness. It evokes creative absurdity and the collective euphoria of online communities reinventing musical heritage through subversion. The dominant emotion is laughter at the unexpected cultural fusion.

Where does the “I'll Go to Tokyo” meme come from?

The musical source is 'Ora Tōkyō sa igu da', released on November 25, 1984, performed by Yoshi Ikuzō (Yoshihito Kamata). The lyrics, in the Tohoku dialect, ironically narrate leaving for Tokyo. The internet phenomenon emerged around April 2008 on Nico Nico Douga. Users posted MAD videos combining this voice with other tracks. The exact first video remains unknown. The name 'IKZO' became the generic label for these remixes. The most famous, 'Polykuzō', combines the original track with Perfume's 'Polyrhythm', illustrating this unique sound juxtaposition style.

  1. November 25, 1984Release of the original song 'Ora Tōkyō sa igu da' by Yoshi Ikuzō.
  2. April 2008Appearance of the first viral mashups on the Nico Nico Douga platform.

How to use the “I'll Go to Tokyo” meme

  • Use this reference to describe any audio edit that is visibly discordant yet amusing.
  • Cite it when discussing the early history of Japanese video mashups.
  • Employ it to describe a striking contrast between a sad mood and festive music.

Also searched as

  • Ora Tōkyō sa igu da
  • IKZO
  • Polykuzō
  • MAD video Japan
  • i'll go to tokyo meme origin
  • ora tokyo sa igu da meaning
  • ikzo nico nico douga history
  • polykuzo perfume meaning

The “I'll Go to Tokyo” card in MyMemeCards

I'll Go to Tokyo card
NumberNo. 21772
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 73
Fame65/100 · #120 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 73: 300 cards
  • Common20167%
  • Rare9933%

How to get the “I'll Go to Tokyo” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; I'll Go to Tokyo comes out of the Memes World series 73 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “I'll Go to Tokyo”

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Frequently asked questions

What does i'll go to tokyo meme mean?

It is a 2008 viral remix mixing an old Japanese song with electronic music.

Who is ikzo nico nico douga?

Ikzo is the internet nickname for Yoshi Ikuzō, whose voice serves as the base for absurd mashups.

Polykuzo perfume explanation?

It is the most famous mashup, fusing Ikuzō's song with the track Polyrhythm.

How do I get the I'll Go to Tokyo meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “I'll Go to Tokyo” is a common card of the Memes World series 73. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the I'll Go to Tokyo card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: I'll Go to Tokyo | Know Your Meme · 俺ら東京さ行ぐだとは? わかりやすく解説 · 俺ら東京さ行ぐだ (r136 판) · checked on October 15, 2026.

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