Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1970s
When you think of enka, many people imagine songs that use distinctive vocal inflections to express Japanese sentimentality and tales of love.
Enka became popular as mainstream music starting in the 1960s, but in fact, the term “enka” didn’t really take hold until the 1970s.
In this article, we’ve researched timeless enka hits from the ’70s and compiled songs that truly resonate with the Japanese heart—perfect for a first listen.
Alongside massive hits you’ve likely heard at least once, we’ve also picked many songs that lean toward kayōkyoku (Showa-era pop).
So if you’re a younger music fan curious about Showa-era Japanese music, be sure to check them out.
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 70s: legendary vocalists who support the enka world
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- A roundup of female enka singers in their 70s: voices that evoke nostalgia
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1980s
- Cool masterpieces of enka, the heart of Japan
- [Showa Era] A Collection of Enka Hits: Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations
- Legendary enka songs that fire up the crowd. A song catalog of enka picks you won’t go wrong with at karaoke.
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- [2026] A Collection of Masterpieces of Enka and Mood Kayō
- [1980s] A roundup of debut songs by enka singers
- [2026] Life's Cheering Songs: A Collection of Recommended Enka to Lift Your Spirits
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1990s
Great Enka Masterpieces and Hit Songs of the 1970s (21–30)
Ishikari ElegyKitahara Mirei
It’s the most widely known song among Mirei Kitahara’s singles.
The lyricist, Rei Nakanishi, personally experienced his family falling into heavy debt and breaking apart after his older brother’s failure in the herring fishery.
When he hit a wall writing the lyrics, it was actually that older brother who advised him to write about the herring fishery, which led to the finished song.
Released in 1975, the song conveys well the gamble-like nature of the herring catch.
draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō
With his inexpressibly alluring sidelong glance that made the ladies swoon, Ryotaro Sugi’s well-known “Toyama no Kin-san” ending theme became a long-running hit, spending 147 weeks within the Oricon Top 100 since its 1970 release.
Although it’s an enka song, perhaps its distance from the typical image of a period drama also worked in its favor.
Great Enka Masterpieces and Hit Songs of the 1970s (31–40)
I’ll give it to you.Nishikawa Mineko
She has since changed her stage name to Mineko Nishikawa.
“Anata ni Ageru,” released in 1974, was her debut single, and she swept the newcomer awards that year.
Despite the innocence of the song, her image was a bit different—she was a singer who was often rumored to be romantically involved with other celebrities.
The one who left the strongest impression was the actor Shohei Hino, but recently…
Maruyama, Hanamachi, Mother’s TownMiyoshi Eiji
It was a hit in 1973, but originally the song wasn’t supposed to be released as a single.
However, because the fact that Eishi Miyoshi’s own mother had worked as a geisha in Maruyama-chō was eventually turned into a promotional angle, he himself hasn’t said much about it.
Hmm, it’s complicated.
In particular, I suspect he didn’t want to sing the line, “Even if she could become a mother, she could never become a wife.”
Daichan Counting SongYoshida Yoshimi
Known as an anime song with the flavor of enka, this piece was released in 1970.
It was put out under the name Yoshimi Yoshida by Yoshimi Tendo, who was a junior high school student at the time.
Beloved as the opening theme for the anime Inakappe Taisho, it features counting-song style lyrics.
The powerful vocals vividly express the protagonist’s growth, dreams, and earnest—if slightly clumsy—spirit.
The melody shaped by the rhythm of Japanese taiko drums and lyrics in the traditional 7-5 meter is striking, and it continues to be loved across generations, having been featured on NHK’s Shin BS Nihon no Uta in April 2023.
It’s a song that gives courage and energy to anyone setting out on a new step in life.
Mother on the QuayFutaba Yuriko
This song is a cover of Akiko Kikuchi’s piece released in 1954, shortly after the war, and this version was released by Yuriko Futaba in 1971.
It became a huge hit and was adapted into films and TV dramas; it tells the story of a mother who stands on the pier, waiting for the ship that will bring her son home from demobilization.
It may be a situation that’s harder to picture today, but at the time it was easy to imagine.
Futaba’s straightforward, rokyoku-style singing may have resonated with the image of the mother’s single-minded devotion.
Please take this opportunity to revisit this page of history we must not forget.
My castle townKoyanagi Rumiko
Although it was her 1971 debut single, this song made her an overnight star, spending a total of 12 weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
Perhaps due to the image of the song, she pursued a very pure, innocent persona at the time of her debut.
She had a great figure, but there was an incident where Akiko Wada told her, “Rumi-chan, your legs are thick,” which made her burst into tears.
But the Koyanagi of today would probably snap back without missing a beat.