Diva of Enka: A roundup of female singers leading the enka world
When you hear “diva of the enka world,” which singer comes to mind? If you’re an enka fan reading this article, you’re probably thinking, “I can’t pick just one!” This article will introduce, all at once, the women who are leading Japan’s enka scene.
We’ve selected popular female enka singers from across different generations.
Be sure to listen to their songs, and if one catches your interest, check out more of her music too.
- A roundup of female enka singers in their 70s: voices that evoke nostalgia
- A roundup of 40-something female enka singers with captivating voices
- A roundup of captivating enka female singers in their 50s [2026]
- [2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
- [Enka] A special feature on female singers in their 30s: Kayō singers whose music goes beyond enka
- Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]
- Women’s Enka: A collection of classic enka songs expressing women’s emotions
- [Enka] A special feature on female singers in their 80s. Singers who were active from the early to mid-Showa era.
- 【2026】Difficult Enka Songs to Sing — Women Singers Edition
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- A roundup of female enka singers in their 20s: The young divas of the enka world
- Debut song of an enka singer
Enka songstress: A roundup of leading female singers in the enka world (71–80)
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi
A famous song by Fuyumi Sakamoto that moves listeners with its emotionally rich vocals and beautiful melody.
Using cherry blossoms as a motif, the lyrics symbolically portray lost love and parting, resonating deeply with those who listen.
Released in February 1994, this piece has long been cherished as one of Sakamoto’s signature works, and even those who aren’t enka fans have likely heard it at least once.
The melody line is simple and easy to remember, and you can fully enjoy the song by focusing on the chorus.
Be sure to sing it in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Hydrangea BridgeJōnouchi Sanae
Speaking of classic enka songs that poignantly sing of the rainy season, this is the piece that catapulted Sanae Jōnouchi to stardom.
Released in June 1986, it features memorable, heartrending lyrics that overlay hydrangeas blooming on a bridge with memories of a lost love.
The lyrics depicting the scenes of the rainy season and the gentle yet sorrowful melody deeply resonate.
As her debut single, frequently featured on television and radio, this work became the foundation of Jōnouchi’s career.
It’s not exactly easy to sing despite appearances, but because the melodic range is relatively narrow and parts of the tune lean toward pop, it’s a great challenge for beginners to enka as well.
A Woman’s HarborŌtsuki Miyako
A song distinguished by its wistful melody and lyrics that resonate deep in the heart.
Set in a port town, it portrays a woman’s poignant feelings of love.
Released in August 1983, it has been cherished by many as one of Miyako Ōtsuki’s signature songs.
With lyrics by Tetsurō Hoshino and music by Tōru Funamura—two of Japan’s leading creators—it stands as a masterpiece.
Celebrated as a quintessential work of enka, it has been performed frequently at concerts and on television.
Why not sing it while recalling a memorable place or a special someone, letting yourself feel the uncertainty of love and the sorrow of parting?
Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimi
This song, which depicts the streets and heartfelt warmth of Osaka, captured the hearts of many through Yoshimi Tendo’s powerful vocals.
Released in December 1985, it gained popularity via cable radio thanks to Tendo’s steady grassroots promotion.
It ultimately became a major hit, selling 800,000 copies and elevating her recognition nationwide.
The song was performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen and continues to be loved as a standard number in the enka genre.
When singing it at karaoke, you should pay attention to the distinctive expressions and dialect of Osaka-ben, but the melody is approachable and has a compelling power that leaves a deep impression on listeners.
It’s highly recommended for those who want to share the charm of Osaka with audiences across Japan.
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
A masterpiece whose wistful melody and heartrending lyrics resonate deeply.
The lyrics portray a woman recalling a past love as she drinks, a theme that has struck a chord with many and kept the song beloved for years.
Released in January 1979, it was originally a B-side, but its popularity on cable radio led to it becoming the A-side.
It ranked No.
1 on that year’s “The Best Ten” annual chart and also won the 21st Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance.
The song is extremely demanding to sing, requiring rich expressiveness and a wide vocal range.
It’s a perfect piece for testing one’s enka singing ability.
MaybeKobayashi Sachiko
A signature classic released in 1984 by Sachiko Kobayashi, the diva who represents the world of enka.
It’s a gem of a pop ballad that captures the full appeal of Kobayashi—renowned for her exceptional vocal prowess—portraying the ache of a bittersweet love.
The sound sits between kayōkyoku and enka, giving it a sense of urban sophistication, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in Japanese music of the 1980s.
The melody is catchy and relatively simple, but the chorus phrasing and the need to infuse emotion into each lyric make it challenging to sing.
Start by practicing the more straightforward parts and gradually get used to it as you go.
Woman’s SlopeOka Yuuko
Set against the backdrop of Japan’s four seasons, this poignant song portrays a woman’s life.
Created to commemorate Yuko Oka’s 45th debut anniversary, it features evocative lyrics and a memorable melody by Toyohisa Araki and Chiaki Oka.
The lyrics’ worldview, which expresses life’s ups and downs as a sloping path, is something anyone can relate to.
Released in September 2024, the track—together with its coupling song “Onna no Aozora” (A Woman’s Blue Sky)—has captured the hearts of enka fans.
The more you listen, the more it reveals its depth: an enka piece that seeps into the heart and gently accompanies many listeners.