Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1980s
The appeal of enka, a genre cherished as Japanese music for many years, has not faded.
Even today it’s featured on TV and in commercials, and many enka singers appear on the annual New Year’s Eve music show, the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
In this article, we’ll showcase a selection of hit enka songs released in the 1980s—works that embody the very heart of Japan.
For those who remember the era, many of these tracks will feel nostalgic.
At the same time, we’ve chosen numerous timeless classics that people born after the ’80s are likely to know as well.
Take this opportunity to sit back and savor the enka masterpieces of the 1980s.
- [Enka] A special feature on female singers in their 80s. Singers who were active from the early to mid-Showa era.
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 80s: veterans who left their mark on the enka world
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1970s
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1990s
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- [1980s] A roundup of debut songs by enka singers
- [Showa Era] A Collection of Enka Hits: Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations
- A roundup of hit enka songs from the Heisei era
- Easy-to-sing enka: A roundup of recommended enka songs for karaoke
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 70s: legendary vocalists who support the enka world
- Nostalgic enka. A collection of classic enka hits from the Showa era.
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
Great Enka Masterpieces and Hit Songs of the ’80s (21–30)
Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko
One of Chiyoko Shimakura’s signature songs, it was released in 1987 and became a huge hit, selling over 1.3 million copies.
With a relaxed tempo and lyrics that aren’t densely packed, it explores the joys and sorrows of life, making it easy to sing calmly while checking each rhythm and scale.
The song is often called Shimakura’s “second debut,” and she performed it when she returned to the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1988 after a two-year absence.
It was also used as the ending theme for the special Chibi Maruko-chan anime segment during Fuji TV’s 27-Hour TV in 2003.
It resonates not only with fans of enka but with listeners across generations, making it a great choice to liven up a karaoke session.
Come back.Matsumura Kazuko
The song “Kaette Koi yo” was Kazuko Matsumura’s debut single, released in 1980.
Performing with a Tsugaru-shamisen and a distinctive vibrato, she drew widespread attention, winning the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards that year.
It was a hit that also earned her a spot on Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Life is like a Naniwa-bushi (a melodramatic ballad).Suizenji Kiyoko
Many people may associate the song “Naniwabushi Dayo Jinsei wa” with Takashi Hosokawa, but at the time, it was common practice for record companies to have multiple singers release competing versions of the same song.
It was perfectly normal for different artists to sing the same song around the same period.
Among these, Kiyoko Suizenji’s rendition of “Naniwabushi Dayo Jinsei wa” was also a hit, and at the 1984 Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a same-song showdown took place: Suizenji performed it for the Red Team, while Hosokawa performed it for the White Team.
When I turn around, it’s YokohamaMarushia
The 1989 debut single of Marcia—nicknamed “Ma-chan,” the former wife of Yoshitani Otsuru.
It was a hit that won the Best New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
The composition was by her mentor, Kocho Inomata, and when she received the New Artist Award, she appeared with him and performed this song in tears.
Beloved DaysHoriuchi Takao
This was the first hit song as Takao Horiuchi—known as “Beyan”—shifted to the enka and kayōkyoku style.
Released in 1986, it was used as the theme song for the year-end NTV drama ‘Byakkotai.’ The music was composed by Horiuchi himself, with lyrics by Kei Ogura.