It was a moving rendition of Kenshi Yonezu’s “Lemon”.
There are some weird instruments out there, like the otamatone, a funny instrument that looks like a singing musical note cartoon when it’s being played, or, on the opposite spectrum, the waterphone, which is what we have to thank for all of the creepy noises and music in horror films. Some musicians even make music out of unexpected objects, like open tape reels. But would you have ever thought that a plain old, basic desk calculator would ever be able to play a tune?
Apparently they can play a whole song, as demonstrated by Twitter user Atarime (@atarime_400), who played a minute-and-a-half cut of Kenshi Yonezu’s hit song “Lemon” on not one, not two, but three calculators, as easily as if they were playing on a piano.
電卓3台で米津玄師のLemonを弾いてみた pic.twitter.com/h1OdEB7DPS
— あたりめ (@atarimae_400) October 8, 2018
The calculators look like ordinary, single-function calculators, and given that the most noise that many desk calculators make is the click-clacking of their keys, it’s a bit surprising to hear them make such melodic tunes. The notes are, amazingly, spot on! Here’s a video of the original song for reference:
It’s no surprise that Atarime was able to play the music so flawlessly, even on calculators; the netizen is also a pianist, and often posts videos of their renditions of popular J-pop, anime, and video game music, like this Ghibli medley:
https://twitter.com/atarime_400/status/1045993467099308034There’s no doubt that this netizen is a talented musician, although it’s perhaps thanks to the above calculator rendition of “Lemon” that they were able to gather their 134,000 followers. They’ve got one or two other videos of calculator music, but none so often retweeted as “Lemon”, so perhaps they’ll be releasing more in the future!
We think they should do a collaborations with some of the other calculator players in the Japanese netsphere. It would be awesome to see (and hear) a calculator orchestra!
Source: Twitter/@atarime_400 via Hamster Sokuhou
Featured Image: Twitter/@atarime_400

Japanese kids’ show mascot busts out a juicy piano pop tune inside a subway station
Musical calculators! Japanese Twitter user recreates songs beautifully by crunching numbers【Vids】
Japanese hit song “Paprika” goes global with English version by new singers and dancers
New Ghibli anime’s theme song gets music video shot on island that inspired Princess Mononoke【Vid】
Japanese YouTuber covers the Super Mario Bros. theme… on four calculators【Video】
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Japanese publishers team up for a “Stop! Pirated manga” online campaign
420 million yen in cash-filled suitcases stolen on Tokyo streets, incidents at Haneda and Hong Kong follow
Cherry blossom sake rice beer arriving in Japan well ahead of cherry blossom season, but how?
Ghibli Museum’s rooftop Robot Soldier captivates fans as snow falls in Tokyo【Video】
10 great autumn Japan travel spots for fall colors and retro atmosphere【Survey】
How much erotic manga intercourse is consensual? Researcher releases findings
Ghost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
Studio Ghibli anime stamps help seal your love for popular movie characters
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Six of our favorite songs performed on traditional Japanese instruments to get you to the weekend
J-pop megastar Utada Hikaru previews new song, hikes Japanese Alps in beautiful videos【Video】
Asian Juicy: New burgers from McDonald’s Japan pay tribute to a ’90s J-pop music video by Puffy
Tokyo Bon Japanglish song is a crazy way to learn Japanese 【Video】
Japanese female rock band Scandal earns a Guinness World Record for staying together for 17 years
New “Love Dance” takes Japan by storm, thanks to a Japanese drama and a handsome J-Pop star
Leave a Reply