Easy-to-sing enka: A roundup of recommended enka songs for karaoke
Enka, a genre that represents Japanese music.
Its singing method uses a technique called kobushi, which is highly distinctive, and its unique sound—built on pentatonic scales and triads—has been loved for many years.
That said, because enka relies on kobushi, many people may feel it’s difficult to sing.
For those people, we’ve selected songs that minimize the use of kobushi and don’t require a wide vocal range.
We also cover the technical aspects in detail, so if you want to sing enka well, this is a must-read!
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- [Men in their 60s] Even if you're not good at singing, it's okay! Easy-to-sing songs for karaoke
- Karaoke songs recommended for men with low voices or who are good at singing in a low register
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- [Enka/Kayōkyoku] Challenge! A collection of songs that make it easy to put in kobushi (melismatic embellishments)
- No worries even if you’re not confident in your singing! Simple, easy-to-sing songs for karaoke.
- [For women] Songs with a narrow vocal range that are easy to adjust the key for!
Easy-to-sing enka: Recommended enka for karaoke (21–30)
Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaori
This is the third single by enka singer Kaori Kozai, who drew attention after winning many awards in folk song competitions from a young age and capturing various newcomer awards, including at the Japan Record Awards, with her debut single.
Known as Kozai’s biggest hit, the song won the Gold Disc Award at both the Japan Cable Awards and the 33rd Japan Record Awards.
Because the melody gradually rises in pitch as the song progresses, be careful: if you don’t set the overall key to one that suits your voice, it will become difficult to sing as you go.
The vocal range itself isn’t very wide, making it a relatively easy, standard enka song to sing at karaoke.
Night in AtamiHakozaki Shinichiro
Shinichiro Hakozaki is a singer who gained popularity for his music centered on enka and kayōkyoku and his sultry vocals.
While he’s an artist with strong kayōkyoku elements, his songs prominently feature robust kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), a style that could be called neo-enka.
Among his tracks, the one I especially recommend is Atami no Yoru.
It’s a work steeped in melancholy and allure, and although it leans heavily into enka, the kobushi it uses are relatively easy to sing.
If you spin the kobushi with a hiccup-like flip in your voice, it will sound authentic—so give it a try.
A Man’s HarborToba Ichirō
When it comes to enka singers with a masculine vocal style, many people probably think of Ichiro Toba first.
If we’re talking about the song that best showcases his manliness, it has to be “Otoko no Minato” (A Man’s Harbor).
While its power and masculinity are captivating, it’s actually one of the easier songs to sing within the enka genre.
Although the kobushi (melodic shakes) appear repeatedly, they’re relatively simple and reproducible for enka beginners, so the overall difficulty is low.
However, because you need to sing with strong vibrato, diaphragmatic strength and control are required.
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi
This is singer Fuyumi Sakamoto’s 12th single—a track that showcases her vocal prowess not only in her work as an enka singer but also in songs spanning various genres.
Premiered as an original song for the music segment of the variety show “Comedy: Oedo de Gozaru,” it features an unusually up-tempo style for enka and has even been dubbed “progressive enka.” With its dizzyingly shifting arrangement and 16-beat melody, it’s a challenging piece by enka standards, though those accustomed to singing J-pop may find it easier to handle.
It’s one of Sakamoto’s signature songs, exquisitely fusing Japan’s traditional musical heritage with a contemporary ensemble.
Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki
This is the 42nd single by enka singer Miyuki Kawanaka, who is active not only in music but also across a wide range of fields, including TV dramas, films, voice acting, and radio presenting.
From the intro that evokes classic enka to her emotional vocals, the arrangement—shaping what could be called the very heart of Japan—earned high acclaim and won the Excellent Work Award at the 40th Japan Record Awards.
Although the melody is dramatic and intricately moving, the tempo is relaxed and the vocal range is not wide, making it relatively easy to sing if you approach it calmly.
It’s a recommended karaoke song for those who think, “If I’m going to sing enka, I want something that anyone would recognize as enka.”
Fragments of Men and WomenMaekawa Kiyoshi
Singer Kiyoshi Maekawa has gained popularity for his rich vocal tone and steady singing.
While many may associate him more with kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs) than with enka, he does perform solid, ornamented enka depending on the song.
Among his enka pieces, one I particularly recommend is “Otoko to Onna no Kakera” (Shards of Man and Woman).
It features very few kobushi (traditional vocal turns), appearing only once in the verse and twice in the chorus.
Because it’s an enka number with a very strong kayōkyoku flavor, it’s quite easy to sing.
I’m going to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo
Enka singer Ichi Ikuzō, known for his wide-ranging musicality from comic songs to songs in a female voice and heart-wrenching ballads.
Unusual for an enka singer, he also has the side of a singer-songwriter, and his original songs, for which he writes both lyrics and music, are full of creativity and have remained beloved across generations.
Speaking of Ikuzō Yoshii’s masterpieces, it has to be “Ora Tokyo sa Iguda,” doesn’t it? While it has elements typical of enka, it features many spoken-style parts, so the overall difficulty is on the lower side.
As a comic song, it really gets the crowd going, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.