Recommended enka set in autumn: a collection of heart-touching masterpieces
As autumn arrives, many of us start to feel a little wistful or lonely, don’t we?
Enka, which portrays the emotions of us Japanese people, pairs beautifully with autumn’s nostalgic atmosphere.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of classic enka songs themed around autumn.
We’ve chosen a variety of tracks, from songs about romance to those that sing of autumn scenery.
Please listen while reading the lyrics, and find the song that resonates with your own feelings.
Recommended enka songs set in autumn: A collection of moving masterpieces (1–10)
Owara Kaze no BonSandai Sayaka
Sayaka Sandai’s “Owara Kaze no Bon,” featuring her delicate and emotionally rich vocals, was released on November 29, 2023.
The song centers on Owara Kaze no Bon, a traditional event held in September in the Yao district of Toyama Prefecture.
With lyrics by Kiyo Suzuki and music by Yukihiko Ito, it portrays a love story tinged with the melancholic atmosphere of autumn.
The piece lyrically tells a poignant tale of love, delicately evoking people’s emotions and imagery reminiscent of Owara Kaze no Bon.
It stirs a sense of nostalgia and empathy associated with heartbreak and the change of seasons.
It’s truly a song to listen to quietly, while feeling the essence of Japan’s four seasons.
Even If I’m Loved (~Each One’s Autumn~)Cheuni
A gem of a song by Cheuni that portrays a heartrending farewell and loneliness alongside autumnal scenes.
It opens with a parting at a station where fallen leaves swirl, then quietly recounts memories of a love that has passed.
The lyrics, which express a sense of loneliness that isn’t satisfied even when loved, will resonate with many.
Released in September 2007, the track is included on the album “Love, Wine, and Mystery.” Cheuni’s clear, crystalline voice further accentuates the melancholy of autumn.
This work is recommended for those who wish to heal the pain of a broken heart or want something gentle to listen to on a long autumn night.
At the End of the Journeykanmuri jiro
Jiro Kanmuri is an enka singer born in 1944 from Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture.
His signature song is often cited as “Honoo,” and he is known for a style called neo-enka.
“Tabi no Owari ni,” released in 1977, was created as an insert song for the TV drama Kaikyo Monogatari.
The song portrays the feelings of a man who continues a wandering journey, and together with its autumnal atmosphere, it’s a piece that deeply resonates with the heart.
Its poignant melody and lyrics are perfect for autumn, a season when loneliness and wistfulness are felt more keenly.
Especially when listened to alone on a long autumn night, it’s sure to strike a chord.
Filled with Kanmuri’s profound emotional expression, this is a track worth hearing even if you’re not an enka fan.
autumn showerSasa Midori
Midori Sasa’s signature song “Aki Shigure” was released on July 2, 2008, and its rich emotional expression resonates with many listeners.
This work delicately depicts the story of a man and woman who part ways after only a year, set against autumnal scenes.
In particular, the lyrics, which use heartbreak and the changing seasons as motifs, elicit broad empathy and leave a deep impression.
“Aki Shigure” is especially recommended for those who have experienced a bittersweet love or who wish to savor the mood of autumn.
Midori Sasa’s expressive vocals and the melody that evokes the essence of autumn are sure to linger in your heart.
Autumn Love SongKouzai Kaori
Kaori Kozai’s “Aki Koika” holds a special place even within her long career.
Released on April 27, 2016, it is a masterpiece that delicately portrays the bittersweetness of autumn and the stirrings of a faint romance.
The lyrics depict a woman’s feelings as she mourns a lost love and lets her thoughts drift on the autumn breeze—sentiments many listeners can relate to through their own experiences.
It’s especially recommended for solitary moments at autumn dusk.
Kaori Kozai’s emotionally rich vocals resonate deeply with listeners, leaving an unforgettable afterglow.
Song of Late AutumnToba Ichirō
Ichiro Toba is a leading enka singer in Japan, known for his signature song “Kyodai-bune” (Brother Ship).
His song “Banshu-ka” (Late-Autumn Song) was released on January 9, 2014, and with lyrics that touch the heart, it beautifully depicts a man drinking while thinking of his loved ones, set at the end of autumn.
Many listeners may be moved by its reflections on days gone by and human connections.
It is especially recommended for long autumn nights, when you want to look back on past memories or seek music that stays close to the heart.
Autumn Firefly -Aki Hotaru-Nonaka Saori
Saori Nonaka, a native of Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture, has firmly established her place in the enka world since her debut in 1989.
In particular, her 2007 release “Akihotaru” (Autumn Fireflies) is a poignant yet beautiful song that portrays someone confiding their unrequited love to the fireflies of autumn.
Listening to it while gazing out the window on a long autumn night makes its sentiment resonate all the more deeply.
The melody and message woven by Nonaka’s voice are sure to gently embrace a wistful heart.
Cosmos Flowers of the NorthKimu Yonja
Kim Yonja is an enka singer born in South Korea, widely loved both in Japan and abroad since her 1974 debut.
“Kita no Akizakura” (Autumn Cosmos of the North) was released on September 25, 2003, and captured many listeners’ hearts with its profound emotion and vivid depictions of nature.
The song delicately yet powerfully portrays the feelings of a woman experiencing heartbreak and loneliness.
Notably, its lyrics use the motif of cosmos flowers blooming in the northern autumn to evoke a sense of longing, solitude, and lingering attachment.
While carrying bittersweet emotions, the solace found in nature’s beauty makes it a perfect fit for the autumn season.
It’s highly recommended as a song that will resonate deeply on long autumn nights.
Autumn breezeYoshi Ikuzo
Ikuzo Yoshi is a singer from Aomori Prefecture, born in 1952, who has worked across a wide range of musical genres.
“Akikaze” is a single released on May 12, 2010, depicting feelings of love from a woman’s perspective, and it’s striking in how strongly it conveys the wish to be with the one she loves.
It conveys love and loneliness, the transience of life, and really pierces the heart.
Yoshi’s distinctive voice deeply resonates with listeners.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on long autumn nights, during lonely moments spent alone, or when thinking of someone far away.
Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi
Since its 2003 release, Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Hakuun no Shiro” has been cherished, especially among enka fans.
The song features a grand theme depicting the scenery of an ancient castle that evokes memories of bygone glory, with Hikawa’s clear, pure vocals further enhancing its atmosphere.
Its heartrending yet beautiful melody, paired with lyrics that contrast the unchanging constancy of nature with the ever-shifting emotions of people, resonates deeply with listeners.
It’s a perfect song for autumn—recommended when you feel lonely or want to indulge in a touch of sentimentality.
It’s a wonderful work that conveys Japan’s beautiful landscapes and emotional sensibility, not only for fans of enka but for anyone at all.