A classic enka masterpiece about one's hometown. A wonderful song that evokes thoughts of home.
Among the themes often sung in enka, there are quite a lot of songs about one’s hometown.
Some songs dwell on the family and friends left behind, while others convey a resolve like, “I can’t go back until I’ve made it!”—each carrying different emotions.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of classic enka songs written with thoughts of home.
If any of them resonates with your own experiences, it may become a truly special song for you.
Be sure to read the lyrics and listen closely.
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A classic enka masterpiece about one’s hometown. A wonderful song that longs for home (81–90)
Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi
This is a song released by Takashi Hosokawa in 1985.
It depicts someone who moved to Tokyo reminiscing about their hometown in the Tsugaru region.
The song prominently features Hosokawa’s signature high tones and includes folk-style sections.
It was performed four times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
At the 27th Japan Record Awards, it won the Gold Award, and it is considered one of Hosokawa’s signature songs.
Man BoatHosokawa Takashi
Set in Esashi, Hokkaido, this is an authentic enka piece notable for its powerful, wistful melody.
Featuring a sound centered on Tsugaru shamisen and trumpet, it gives voice to the heart of a fisherman facing rough seas while thinking of his mother.
Released in July 2024, the song commemorates Takashi Hosokawa’s 50th anniversary in the performing arts.
Lyrics are by Haruka Tomaru, and music by Sorato Masuda.
The coupling track “Ouenka, Ikimasu” is also included.
This work conveys both life’s harshness and the determination to pursue one’s dreams, making it recommended for those who want to savor traditional Japanese musicality.
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.
Otaru CanalMiyako Harumi
Harumi Miyako is a representative enka singer of Japan, born in 1948.
Her powerful vocal style, known as the “Harumi-bushi,” produced numerous hit songs.
Otaru Canal was released on June 27, 1990.
This work is a song that celebrates the beauty of the Otaru Canal and the feelings imbued in it by the people, portraying heartrending emotions and inner conflict about the future against a backdrop of rain.
Through this piece, Miyako’s exceptional vocal ability was reappraised, further solidifying her standing in the enka world.
This work is especially recommended for those who carry unforgettable memories of the past or who enjoy emotionally rich songs.
Ama divers of TobaToba Ichirō
A warm song that gently embraces the sea of one’s hometown.
Ichiro Toba’s powerful vocals vividly portray the proud way of life of the ama divers.
Released in May 2024, the lyrics were written by Tetsuya Takeda.
The words, carefully weaving together the divers’ daily lives and their feelings for their families, will warm the listener’s heart.
Even as they work in constant danger, their thoughts are with their loved ones—something many people will surely relate to.
It’s a track we especially recommend to those living away from home or thinking of someone dear.
Festival SongToba Ichirō
The single that Ichiro Toba released in 1985 is “Matsuri Uta.” What the protagonist—who has left his hometown to live away, leaving friends and a lover behind—remembers are the “festival song” sung at the hometown festival and the “sound of drums.” The lyrics also convey the protagonist’s resolve that he cannot return until he has made a name for himself.
The chorus features a sound that incorporates traditional festival accompaniment and is a memorable number highlighted by Toba’s powerful vocals.
Since Nasushiobara appears in the lyrics, it’s a song with a deep connection for those living in Tochigi Prefecture.
Our LullabyToba Ichirō · Yutaka Yamakawa
A song by the brother duo Ichiro Toba and Yutaka Yamakawa, released in December 2024.
Centered on the themes of brotherly bonds and family love, this work is deeply moving.
It opens with the desolation of city life, then gradually swells with a longing for their hometown.
The dramatic musical style—and of course, their solid, resonant vocals—are captivating.
Their first-ever duet, realized more than 40 years after their debuts, is truly stirring.
Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi
Hiroshi Itsuki is known as a master of the enka world, and “Nagaragawa Enka,” released in 1984, is one of his signature songs.
Set along the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture, the song portrays a one-night romance, featuring lyrics that blend poignancy with beauty.
A monument commemorating the song stands in Gifu City, reflecting its strong local impact.
The piece depicts nighttime scenes of the Nagara River, bonfires, and cormorant fishing, evoking the aesthetics of Japanese tradition.
“Nagaragawa Enka” is especially recommended for those who want to experience Japan’s evocative landscapes or spend a quiet, contemplative evening.
To my hometownYashiro Aki
Aki Yashiro’s enka song “To My Hometown…” is a heartrending piece about the inner struggle of recalling a hometown’s sorrowful past.
The lyrics, which express the idea of “finding the strength to live by holding onto the hope of returning home, even in hard times,” will likely resonate with those working hard in the city while dreaming of someday going back.
In particular, the song is written from a woman’s perspective, so I especially recommend it to female listeners.
Yashiro’s sorrowful yet somehow gentle voice may just move you to tears.
festivalKitajima Saburō
Saburo Kitajima, often called the father figure of the enka world, is best known for his signature song “Matsuri.” Japan has festivals such as harvest festivals praying for bountiful crops and big-catch festivals passed down to children, and this masterpiece vividly captures the dynamism of Japanese festivals with a powerful sense of motion.
It was performed many times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, so many people probably remember “Sabu-chan” belting it out dynamically amid a shower of confetti.
The versions where the final lyric is turned into a parody with company names or place names are pretty rare, aren’t they? It’s a huge crowd-pleaser at karaoke when everyone sings along, so be sure to listen and give it a try!
