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!

Playlist

Easy-to-sing enka: A roundup of recommended enka songs for karaoke
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		The expressive vocal performance in IKUZO YOSHI’s classic song “Sake Yo” is crucial.
2	freezing rainKayama Akio		Hisame is an easy-to-sing enka song, and intonation is important.
3	Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Hosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa’s “Yagiri no Watashi” is easy to sing.
4	Woman of ShinjukuFuji Keiko		Keiko Fuji’s song “Shinjuku no Onna” is easy to sing.
5	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa’s classic song “Kita Sakaba” is easy to sing.
6	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s classic song “Jinsei Iroiro” is easy to sing.
7	A Man’s Pure Hearttatsumi yūto		Yuto Tatsumi’s enka song “Otoko no Junjo” is suitable for beginners.
8	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		An enka song for Ichiro Toba’s debut that draws on his fishing experience
9	Woman Harbor TownYashiro Aki		A port-town theme song highlighted by Aki Yashiro’s rich, smoky voice
10	As I am in love…Akimoto Junko		Junko Akimoto's 'As It Is, Love.'
11	Sake InnKouzai Kaori		A popular song by Kaori Kozai that’s easy to sing in an enka style
12	marine snowjero		How to sing Jero’s signature song “Umiyuki”
13	Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi		Hiroshi Itsuki’s meticulous singing and the characteristics of the song
14	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Cape Erimo is an easy-to-sing enka song.
15	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s signature song, where the scenery and melancholy are exquisitely matched
16	Longing for RainYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s signature song, “Ame no Bojo” (Love in the Rain)
17	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Singing style of Hibari Misora’s “Like the Flow of the River”
18	A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji		Joji Yamamoto’s “Michinoku Hitoritabi” is an easy-to-sing enka song.
19	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s smash-hit enka song
20	Two-person sakekawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s 1980 smash hit song about marital love
21	Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaori		An enka song, Kaori Kouzai’s biggest hit
22	Night in AtamiHakozaki Shinichiro		Introduction to Neo Enka Songs by Enka Singer Shinichiro Hakozaki
23	A Man’s HarborToba Ichirō		Ichiro Toba’s “Otoko no Minato” is suitable for enka beginners.
24	I’m going to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo		Yoshi Ikuzo’s classic song “We’re Headin’ to Tokyo”
25	Come back.Matsumura Kazuko		Kazuko Matsumura’s representative work of rock-style enka
26	Casablanca GoodbyeToba Ichirō		Enka songs by Ichiro Toba that are easy to sing
27	O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s Progressive Enka
28	Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s award-winning song, a masterpiece of classic enka
29	Heart RainŌe Yutaka		Oe Hiroshi’s women’s songs, easy-to-sing masterpieces
30	Woman of FateŌe Yutaka		Oe Hiroshi’s woman’s song. It’s like a kayōkyoku and easy to sing.
31	Green Que Sera SeraOka Midori		Reiwa Rhythm Kayō: “Midori no Que Sera Sera”
32	snow camelliaKobayashi Sachiko		Introduction to Sachiko Kobayashi’s signature song “Yukitsubaki”
33	A beautiful day for lifekawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s powerful new song “Jinsei Biyori” (A Good Day for Life)
34	Lesser cuckooMurakami Sachiko		Murakami Sachiko’s enka song “Hototogisu” is especially recommended.
35	abandonedNagayama Yōko		Easy-to-sing enka among Yoko Nagayama’s signature songs
36	Drunken GlowKimu Yonja		Enka masterpieces by Kim Yonja
37	Boatwoman’s SongMitsubishi Michiya		Mitsuya Mihashi’s “Onna Sendō Uta” is easy to sing.
38	Rainy PierMikado Tadaji		Mikado Tadashi's 'Amefuru Hatoba' is recommended.
39	Izakaya HotaruUesugi Kaori		Recommended Izakaya Hotaru by Kaori Uesugi
40	Blues of a woman like thisKayama Akio		I recommend Akio Kayama’s “Konna Onna no Blues”
41	Fragments of Men and WomenMaekawa Kiyoshi		An article introducing Kiyoshi Maekawa’s enka songs
42	I fell in love with Yuko like that.Masuiyama Tashirō		The vocal ability of an enka singer who is a former sumo wrestler
43	Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimi		Recommendation of Yoshimi Tendo’s famous song “Anta no Hanamichi”
44	Kinokawa RiverYamanishi Akari		A masterpiece of enka that expresses love for one’s hometown
45	Ikebukuro at NightAoe Mina		Ikebukuro no Yoru, a signature enka blues song by Mina Aoe
46	Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao		A fusion song of enka and new adult music
47	night skyItsuki Hiroshi		Hiroshi Itsuki's “Yozora” is suitable for beginners.
48	Osaka sparrowNagai Miyuki & Nagai Miyuki		Miyuki Nagai’s signature song, Osaka Suzume