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 roundup of leading female singers in the enka world (51–60)
Tsubaki GotoIshihara Junko
The Goto Islands are known as the most famous natural habitat of camellias in western Japan.
This song, “Goto Tsubaki,” is a work themed around the camellias that bloom in the Goto Islands, depicting the romantic relationships between men and women.
Among Junko Ishihara’s songs, this piece is particularly strong in enka elements and features kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) typical of authentic enka.
That might sound difficult, but the melismas stay within at most a two-scale-step range, so you shouldn’t struggle with the kobushi.
The tempo is relaxed as well, making it recommended for those who want to start singing enka in earnest.
I want to see you—I wish I could be with you right now.Ishihara Junko
Junko Ishihara’s classic “Aitai, Ima Sugu Anata ni….” Among her songs, this one is particularly easy to sing.
Rather than enka, it leans more toward kayōkyoku, with a melody that evokes the style of Machiko Watanabe or Mariko Takahashi.
The key reason it’s easy to sing is the gentle rise and fall of the pitch.
The tempo is slow and there’s no kobushi ornamentation, so if you focus on solid pitch control and sustained vibrato on long tones, you can even aim for a high karaoke score.
Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi
It’s a classic that portrays the passionate emotions of a woman, leaving a deep imprint on the heart.
It brilliantly captures the Scorpio traits of single-minded devotion and a thirst for revenge, and it became a huge hit upon its release in December 1972.
Sung seven times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it has had a major impact on the Japanese music scene.
Kenichi Mikawa’s translucent vocals combined with dramatic lyrics seize the listener’s heart.
If you’re healing from heartbreak or wanting to feel like a strong woman, listening to this song will surely give you courage.
Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo
Set along the Kuji River flowing through Ibaraki Prefecture, this enka ballad poignantly sings of a bittersweet love.
Released in January 2025, the song boasts a stellar creative team: lyrics by Koyomi Asa and composition by Hideo Mizumori.
Akiyo Yajima’s clear, pure vocals ride on the chill of the river breeze, resonating deeply with listeners.
While honoring the traditional elements of enka, it features contemporary arrangements that make it enjoyable for a wide range of generations.
You’ll find yourself empathizing with the woman who, despite the pain of heartbreak, strives to move forward.
Enka songstress: A roundup of leading female singers in the enka world (61–70)
Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi
From the late 1960s to the 1970s, Ayumi Ishida was a singer who enjoyed nationwide popularity.
She has many classic hits, but the one I especially recommend is Blue Light Yokohama.
It’s a kayōkyoku-style song with strong blues elements, characterized by a narrow vocal range throughout.
Since it doesn’t feature the kobushi ornamentation that often poses a challenge in enka, if you keep your pitch steady and add vibrato at the end of the long notes to rack up points, it’s a song that anyone can aim for a high score with.
applausechiaki naomi
Kassai is a classic song that represents the Showa era.
It’s one of Naomi Chiaki’s signature numbers, known for its poignant lyrics about a woman who lost her lover in the war.
Rather than enka, this piece leans strongly toward kayōkyoku, and it contains very little of the intricate kobushi ornamentation typical of enka.
There is a slightly stronger kobushi at the end of the chorus, but that’s about the only real challenge, making it a relatively easy piece.
Among the songs introduced here, this one is especially simple, so why not add it to your repertoire?
atonementTeresa Ten
The Showa-era classic “Tsugunai” is a poignant enka masterpiece that sings of tragic love.
Teresa Teng’s clear, translucent voice gently conveys the end of a forbidden romance and her atonement to the one she loves.
The chorus phrase “ai wo tsugunau” (to atone for love) is especially memorable and leaves a deep impression on listeners.
Released in January 1984, the song was also used in a YKKap commercial and became a major hit.
It has a strong kayōkyoku flavor, making it easy to sing and recommended even for those who aren’t yet comfortable with full-on traditional enka.