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
Diva of Enka: A compilation of leading female enka singers (ages 41–50)
A woman’s heartYashiro Aki
Onnagokoro, known as one of Aki Yashiro’s early masterpieces.
Although it falls under the enka category, it leans more toward a blues-style kayōkyoku.
As a result, instances of kobushi are very few; aside from one spot at the end of the chorus, there isn’t anything resembling a typical kobushi.
Even that kobushi at the end of the chorus only shifts by a single scale degree, so its difficulty as a kobushi is quite low.
For those who enjoy somber, brooding songs, this might be right up your alley.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
To my hometown…Yashiro Aki
Aki Yashiro’s classic “To My Hometown…” features a melody that strikingly balances brilliance and depth.
True to enka style, kobushi appear throughout.
Songs with many kobushi are generally hard to belt out, but that’s not the case here.
The kobushi in this piece are less a specialized technique unique to kobushi and more like strong vibrato—extensions of vibrato, so to speak.
Since this type of kobushi is far easier than the typical kind, the overall difficulty of the song is naturally lower.
While it doesn’t call for outright shouting, singing with a bit of strength will make the song sound more radiant, so give it a try.
Women’s TavernKobayashi Sachiko
From the very title “Onna no Sakaba,” you can almost smell its essence: a 120% pure, classic enka anthem.
When it was released, many listeners were likely thinking, “This is the Sachiko Kobayashi we’ve been waiting for.” It’s a single from 2011, and since she had been releasing more kayōkyoku-flavored songs around that time—like “Manyō Koika Aa, Kimi Matsuto” and “Shiroi Yuge no Uta”—this track lets you fully savor Kobayashi singing straight-down-the-middle, traditional enka.
It’s quintessential enka from start to finish, so those accustomed to singing the genre should handle it with ease.
For enka beginners, its simple structure makes it a great song to practice and get a feel for the style.
Love SakuraKobayashi Sachiko
It’s a beautiful enka masterpiece—grand in scale yet tinged with melancholy—richly infused with traditional Japanese flavor through the use of Japanese instruments.
“Koi Zakura” is a single released by Sachiko Kobayashi in 2007, and she also performed it at that year’s NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, so some listeners may find it familiar.
While Kobayashi’s signature techniques—kobushi, shakuri, and vibrato—are of course present, the melody that seems to speak to the Japanese soul is easy to remember, and once you’ve learned it, singing it itself shouldn’t be too difficult.
There are no extreme high notes either, so even those who feel uneasy about higher pitches should definitely give it a try.
You made me cry, you bastard.Kobayashi Sachiko
The striking song title “Nakaseyayagatte Kono Yarō” marks the first time the renowned lyricist Tetsurō Hoshino—who would later team up with Sachiko Kobayashi on masterpieces like “Yuki Tsubaki”—participated in one of her singles.
Released in 1982, it’s a title whose meaning you’ll want to confirm by reading the lyrics.
Asei Kobayashi’s melody is simple and memorable; though it’s enka, it carries a kayōkyoku flavor that should make it feel approachable even for beginners.
Practice repeatedly to create clear contrast between low and high notes, and work on producing a natural vibrato at the end of the chorus.
Echigo Love StoryKobayashi Sachiko
The single Echigo Jowa, released in 1996, is a masterpiece that lets you fully savor Sachiko Kobayashi’s appeal as a classic enka singer.
It has the feel of pure enka, with Kobayashi’s sultry, heartfelt vocals shining from start to finish, Toyohisa Araki’s concise yet all-encompassing lyric choices, and Tetsuya Gen’s beautiful, faintly wistful melody—all superb.
The overall key is average, and as long as you grasp basic enka techniques like kobushi and vibrato, it should be easy to sing even for those who aren’t comfortable with high notes.
It’s enka through and through, so beginners should try learning the essence of enka with this song!
snow camelliaKobayashi Sachiko
Yukitsubaki is one of Sachiko Kobayashi’s signature songs and holds great significance in her career as it was her first single after becoming independent from her agency.
The lyrics were written by the master Tetsurō Hoshino—his first single with her since “Mō Ichido Dake”—at Kobayashi’s own request, and she delivers a stirring performance of a grand, classic enka.
It’s also extremely popular for karaoke, so many enka fans are likely to belt it out at karaoke.
As mentioned, it’s a quintessential enka number, so techniques like kobushi (melodic turns) and vibrato appear, but the overall range is average, with no standout high notes or extended long tones.
Therefore, anyone who has a grasp of enka fundamentals should be able to sing it without difficulty.