Debut song of an enka singer
Speaking of enka, it has long been cherished as the music of the Japanese heart, beloved by people of all ages.
It is also a genre that has produced countless star singers.
This time, we’re featuring the debut songs of such enka performers.
You can even catch glimpses of the fresh, early sides of singers who are now considered living legends.
- Debut songs of enka singers in the 2000s
- Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]
- [1980s] A roundup of debut songs by enka singers
- [2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
- Cool masterpieces of enka, the heart of Japan
- A roundup of hit enka songs from the Heisei era
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 40s: enka artists you can’t afford to miss right now
- A roundup of male enka singers who represent the Showa era
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1970s
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1990s
- [Female Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 20s. Glamorous charm.
Debut songs by enka singers (21–30)
A Solo Journey NorthKusunoki Kohei
Kohei Kusunoki’s debut single, which captures the feelings of a heartbroken woman, has been released.
The image of the protagonist setting off northward while visiting places filled with memories is truly moving.
Kusunoki’s captivating falsetto further elevates the poignant lyrics.
The CD will be released by Nippon Crown in January 2025.
The coupling track, “Onna no Waltz,” is also packed with a rich Showa-era vibe and is incredibly satisfying to listen to.
It’s a perfect song for when you want to overcome the pain of heartbreak or feel the urge to travel.
I’m sure it’s a wonderful piece that will stay close to your heart.
Woman’s DepartureMatsubara Nobue
There are quite a lot of enka singers from Kyushu, aren’t there? Nobue Matsubara is also from Kyushu—Ōita Prefecture.
With her straightforward, unadorned singing voice, she’s one of the truly skilled enka performers, but I’ve heard she had kidney problems from a young age.
As she got older, it worsened, and whenever she had concerts or promotional events, she would look for hospitals nearby where she could receive dialysis.
Now, after receiving a kidney transplant from her younger brother, she’s embarked on a second life.
Migratory Bird Bearing TearsSuizenji Kiyoko
With her lively singing voice and kimono worn in a casual male style, she quickly became a star.
Later, she also thrived as an actress, hosting NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen and starring in “Arigatō,” which was recently ranked the most memorable TV drama.
She had firmly refused acting offers, insisting, “If I act, my records won’t sell,” but eventually gave in, reluctantly accepting after persistent solicitation from a producer.
Hakodate Main LineYamakawa Yutaka
He is the younger brother of Ichiro Toba.
It’s interesting that before becoming singers, the brothers had completely different jobs.
The older brother, Ichiro, was a crew member on a deep-sea fishing vessel, while Yutaka, amazingly, worked as an auto mechanic at Suzuka Circuit.
“Hakodate Honsen” became a long-running hit, to the point that he even competed with none other than “Matchi,” Masahiko Kondo, for the Best New Artist award.
Four o’clock flowerMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori, now known as the Queen of Local Songs, did not debut with a regional-themed song; her first single was an enka number about a devoted woman.
Aiming to become a secretary in the future, Mizumori even studied in the United States while attending junior college.
After performing a song at a party hosted by her host family and seeing how much they enjoyed it, she was inspired to pursue a career as a singer.
Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi
Hiroshi Itsuki changed his stage name about four times, so his debut as “Hiroshi Itsuki” was with the hit song Yokohama Tasogare.
He won the Grand Prix at the All-Japan Kayō Championship, made his re-debut, and that led to where he is today.
The All-Japan Kayō Championship had extremely rigorous judging—if I recall, even Noriko Awaya, who disliked enka, was a judge—so singers of enka had to overcome unfavorable conditions to advance.
As a result, all the Grand Prix winners are incredibly skilled performers.
The wind blows.Tendō Yoshimi
Yoshimi Tendo is also a champion of the All-Japan Kayō Championship.
However, it took her ten years after her re-debut to become successful.
That said, when she was 16, she sang songs everyone has heard, under the name Yoshimi Yoshida.
Her vocals on the anime Inakappe Taisho’s “Daichan Kazoewuta / Inakappe Taisho” have a power you wouldn’t expect from a 16-year-old.