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)
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.
How many springs and autumnsMaki Kotomi
Hailing from Kanagawa Prefecture, enka singer Kotomi Maki has released numerous songs since her debut in 1991.
Among them, “Iku • Haru • Aki,” released in July 2023, stands out for its lyrical beauty and is perfect for listening to in autumn.
The song portrays a certain woman’s lingering feelings along with her forward-looking mindset, making it a piece that resonates with emotional shifts brought by the changing seasons and milestones in life.
In the opening, the autumn scenery is depicted with poignant beauty, so be sure to pay special attention to that.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter—with sake.Ishikawa Sayuri
Since her debut in 1973, Sayuri Ishikawa has been an iconic artist in Japan’s enka scene.
Her song “Shunka Shūtō: Sake Arite,” released on May 25, 2005, centers on Japan’s four seasons, portraying beautiful seasonal scenes alongside the enjoyment of sake suited to each time of year.
The autumn section in particular highlights moon-viewing sake (tsukimi-zake), and the melody and lyrics, rich with the ambiance of each season, resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a perfect song to enjoy while savoring the atmosphere of autumn, gently rekindling an appreciation for the beauty of Japan’s seasons with a touch of wistfulness.