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.
- [Autumn Songs] Songs of autumn. Classic tracks and popular favorites you’ll want to listen to in the fall.
- [For Seniors] Autumn Songs That Touch the Heart: From Nostalgic Children’s Songs and School Songs to Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
- Cool masterpieces of enka, the heart of Japan
- Nostalgic enka. A collection of classic enka hits from the Showa era.
- A collection of masterpieces! A roundup of enka love songs
- [For Seniors] Classic Autumn Songs to Sing in November: From Children’s Songs to Popular Enka and Kayōkyoku
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- [2026] A Collection of Classic Enka Songs Depicting Winter Scenery
- [2026] Enka to Listen to in Winter: A Collection of Classic Enka Songs Depicting Snow and Cold
- [Children’s Songs of Autumn] Autumn songs, school songs, and traditional children’s rhymes. A collection of classic pieces to sing in autumn.
- Timeless songs that go perfectly with autumn leaves. Autumn tunes ideal for beautiful scenery and drives.
- Popular Autumn Songs Ranking [2026]
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
Recommended enka set in autumn: a collection of soul-stirring masterpieces (21–30)
A Woman’s Northern JourneySanjō Maya
This piece portrays the scenery of the northern country and a bittersweet sense of travel.
It’s a song by Maya Sanjo, a native of Otama Village in Fukushima Prefecture, released in March 2025.
Created by a team of accomplished creators—lyrics by Kaoru Shinjo, composition by Hiroshi Tokuhisa, and arrangement by Norio Ido—the work brings together strong talent.
The lyrics unfold a richly emotional world, featuring landscapes seen from the window of a train heading north and feelings drenched in autumn rain.
For those who have experienced the loss of someone dear, it will resonate especially deeply.
Flowers of MichinokuMizuta Ryūko
An emotionally rich song interweaving the beautiful landscapes and scenes of Tohoku.
Ryuko Mizuta’s powerful yet delicate vocals portray the poignant inner feelings of a woman who continues to think of the one she loves.
Released in February 2025 as her 39th single, it was crafted by an illustrious team: lyrics by Reiji Mizuki, composition by Keisuke Hama, and arrangement by Megumi Wakakusa.
Layered with Mizuta’s lustrous singing, the result is a deeply expressive piece.
Brimming with a sense of travel and longing, this work is a must-listen for anyone who resonates with love for someone far away or who is interested in the climate and culture of the Tohoku region.
It also weaves in real place names such as the peaks of Mount Zao and Nakanose Bridge, offering an even deeper flavor for those who know these locales.
Love Song of the WaterfallKumi Iwamoto
Kumi Iwamoto’s 30th-anniversary single has been released.
Issued in October 2024, this work is a classic enka piece on a grand scale.
It features poetic expressions that fuse the beauty of nature with romance, and Iwamoto’s powerful vocals resonate deeply.
The ample use of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) gives it a satisfying feel, while hints of kouta (short traditional songs) add allure and depth.
Against the backdrop of majestic nature, it weaves a tale of heartrending love.
Perfect for moments when you want to immerse yourself in memories of love or are seeking enka that truly touches the heart.
Autumn RainAsahina Akiko
Akiko Asahina’s song, which portrays a love soaked in autumn rain, is a poignant story that resonates deeply.
Based in Kanazawa, her voice beautifully captures the bittersweetness of a summer romance and the scenes of parting.
Released on July 3, 2024, this track is her fourth single since moving to Columbia.
Created by the accomplished duo Kohei Sachi and Daizo Saito, the song fully showcases Asahina’s vocal prowess.
It’s recommended not only for those troubled by love, but also for fans of mature kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song).
Parting Sorrow… From Autumn to WinterMatsubara Nobue
Released in 1991 by enka singer Nobue Matsubara from Oita Prefecture, the classic “Rishū… From Autumn to Winter” is a song themed around parting and loneliness, featuring place names from northern Kyoto.
Its lyrics, rich with emotion and tinged with poignancy, portray a woman’s resolve to move on from a past lover against the backdrop of the changing seasons from autumn to winter.
Poetic expressions set along the Sea of Japan and a wistful melody deeply stir the listener’s heart.
This is a piece I strongly recommend to anyone who, despite carrying feelings of loneliness, is determined to keep moving forward.
Do give it a listen at autumn dusk, as you take in the shifting depths of emotion.
Autumn loveAsada Atsuko
Atsuko Asada’s song “Akikoi” was released on November 4, 2015.
It is one of the works she put out to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her debut, delicately and richly portraying the budding of new romantic feelings.
The song depicts a woman whose heart has been moved yet who fears being hurt again.
While unsettled by a new encounter, she senses subtle stirrings of the heart in fleeting moments.
“Akikoi,” which captures those emotions and looks back on the past while taking a new step forward, is especially recommended for anyone standing on the verge of a fresh beginning.
autumn rainDanseki Noritaka
A song that sings of a bittersweet love set against the long rains of autumn.
It’s a kayō ballad by Yoshitaka Oishi, released in August 2024.
The lyrics, which overlay the yearning for an impossible reunion onto the ever-falling autumn rain, are particularly striking.
Blending delicate emotional expression with dramatic musicality, this work marks a new frontier for Oishi.
The coupling tracks include acoustic versions of “Benibana no Koi” and “Koi no Kawa.” It’s a soul-stirring kayō ballad you’ll want to listen to alone on a rainy day.
Highly recommended for those who have experienced heartbreak or are trying to move on from a farewell with someone dear.