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.

Playlist

A classic enka masterpiece about one's hometown. A wonderful song that evokes thoughts of home.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Aspiration ~Kokorozashi~Fukuda Kouhei		Kohei Fukuda passionately performs his new song that questions one’s way of life.
2	Laughing MountainYukino Rio		A heartwarming ballad that expresses gratitude to one’s hometown
3	Kurashiki River Long SongNakamura Mitsuko		An enka piece that sings of the sorrow of parting, set against the white-walled streets along the Kurashiki River.
4	Nanukamachi HanakojiAsō Chigusa		An enka song brimming with hometown love set in Yamagata Nanokamachi
5	Shimotsui Otaki Madakana BridgeNakamura Mitsuko		An enka song about a geisha’s love in a Kitamaebune port town
6	Kurashiki RiverHarada Yuuri		A farewell enka set in Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter
7	Chilly Spring InnMizumori Kaori		Kaori Mizumori, an enka song about parting in Mimasaka and hot springs
8	That’s why Asahikawa.Mizuta Ryūko		A story that connects the rivers of Okayama and Hokkaido through song
9	Elegy of the PierKanō Tatsuya		Tatsuya Kano releases his first “otokouta” single in 7 years
10	Under the sky of TsutenkakuMatsubara Nobue		Osaka song sung by Nobue Matsubara
11	Johana Hikiyama FestivalAoi Kawori		Song for the Jōhana Festival theme
12	Ah, my homeland.Fukushima Hajime		A warm enka song that sings of hometown memories
13	Kanazawa Nostalgia Song 2024Matsubara Takeshi		A remake of enka brimming with nostalgia by Takefumi Matsubara
14	Shima PeninsulaToba Ichirō		Ichiro Toba’s locally rooted enka
15	Migratory Birds of HarimaSakamoto Fuyumi		A poignant masterpiece by Fuyumi Sakamoto that longs for her hometown
16	Shigure Moon in KinosakiŌe Yutaka		An enka song set in Kinosaki Onsen that laments lingering attachment after a farewell.
17	Kinosaki Love SongHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa’s famous ballad set in Kinosaki Onsen
18	Michinoku Pure Love SongHayama Mizuki		Mizuki Hayama’s enka expresses pure love against the backdrop of her hometown scenery.
19	Fishermen’s Fire Love SongMatsumae Hiroko		Masumae Hiroko 55th Debut Anniversary Song
20	OkkanoyosareHanakyōin Shinobu		An enka song filled with heartfelt feelings for a mother longing for her hometown
21	From my daughter who married and moved to EhimeOda Junpei		A heartwarming message song from a daughter who married into a family in Ehime to her parents
22	The Wind of TsukubaMizuki Natsumi		An enka song depicting Natsumi Mizuki’s hometown, Ibaraki.
23	Matsuyama AirportHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa sings of love and nostalgia set against the backdrop of Matsuyama Airport
24	Itako LullabyMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako's song 'Itako Scenery'
25	Sada Misaki (Cape Sada)Toba Ichirō		A classic that celebrates the pride of the fishermen of Sada Misaki
26	Around the season of urizun (the early springtime in Okinawa, literally “the time when melons begin to grow”)Sakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s famous song that sings of memories of her hometown
27	Oga PeninsulaKitayama Takeshi		Takashi Kitayama’s quintessential enka hit set in Akita
28	Kinokawa (Kii River)Sakamoto Fuyumi		A song that portrays the bond of three generations passed down from mother to daughter
29	Hiroshi’s proud hometown, ze yo!Miyama Hiroshi		A local song in which Hiroshi Miyama sings about the charms of his hometown, Kochi
30	The Great Cedar of SugiMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama delivers a life-affirming enka song filled with respect for his hometown.
31	Yosakoi enkaKaneda Tatsue		Tatsue Kaneda passionately sings the soul of Tosa in a Yosakoi enka style
32	Tosa manKagami Goro		Goro Kagami’s “Tosa no Otoko” is an enka song that expresses the landscapes and gritty spirit of Tosa.
33	Tokachi Autumn and WinterŌe Yutaka		A heartwarming work, the second installment in the Hokkaido series
34	Would you like some Noto?Sakamoto Fuyumi		Sakamoto Fuyumi’s signature song that evokes nostalgia
35	Kunisaki PeninsulaKitajima Saburō		Saburō Kitajima sings of his hometown and his mother, set against the backdrop of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Ōita Prefecture.
36	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		A moving debut song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
37	Kunisaki PeninsulaMatsumae Hiroko		A lyrical enka of the Kunisaki Peninsula sung by Hiroko Matsumae
38	Bungo PilgrimageMatsumae Hiroko		Savor Oita’s local character with a travel vibe on the Bungo Pilgrimage
39	Shiranui Love TaleYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic song that sings of her love for Kumamoto
40	hometownshouka		A song that symbolizes the Japanese spirit, expressing feelings for one’s hometown
41	Yagoshi CapeMatsumae Hiroko		A famous song by Hiroko Matsumae that sings of longing for her hometown
42	Hometown Spring and AutumnSuga Akio		An enka song that sings of love for one’s hometown and gratitude to one’s grandfather
43	Woman of the Kiso RoadHarada Yuuri		A masterpiece of enka by Yuri Harada set on the Kiso Road
44	Yanagase once moreAndō Katsuyuki		A popular song that sings of feelings for Yanagase
45	Tanegashima Kamone OndoTendō Yoshimi		Introduction to the famous song depicting Tanegashima by Yoshimi Tendo
46	I remembered my hometown.Niinuma Kenji		Kenji Niinuma's new song singing of love for his hometown
47	Biwako ShigureMifune Kazuko		A tragic love song depicting the scenery of Lake Biwa and feelings of farewell
48	Ah, Mogami RiverMaekawa kyōdai		A warm song that sings of love for the Mogami River and hometown pride
49	homesicknessHarada Yuuri		A moving song that portrays a wistful longing for one’s hometown
50	Mito Kaidō (Mito Highway/Road)Narasaki Masaaki		A heartfelt song brimming with hometown love, themed around the Mito Kaidō
51	Mother’s sea songMuraki Dan		A heartwarming song that celebrates family bonds
52	Shall I go back to Kure…Tani Ryusuke		Ryusuke Tani’s new song, a track imbued with his feelings for his hometown of Hiroshima
53	Eternal HomelandMita Ryō		A song that celebrates Japan’s nature and culture
54	Hoshi no SatoOoki Ayako		Longing for my hometown entrusted to the starry sky
55	Woman’s Nostalgic Song of HomeShima Etsuko		Etsuko Shima’s new song that sings of homesickness
56	Farewell, SakurajimaSaisei		A song set on Sakurajima that sings of a youthful farewell as one leaves their hometown
57	News from BizenNonaka Saori		The 20th Anniversary City Song Commemorating the Merger, Packed with the Charms of Bizen City
58	A solitary homeward journeyKita Yūko		Kita Yūko’s homeland-themed single release
59	The northern city, HakodateKitagawa Daisuke		Expressing a port town love story in Showa-era kayōkyoku
60	South… spring and summerYoshi Ikuzo		A hometown love song depicting the seasonal beauty of Tohoku
61	Naniwa SpiritSakamoto Fuyumi		Depicting positivity with a powerful new song themed around Osaka
62	Tsugaru Shamisen StorySaisei		An enka song that sings of the pride of the Tsugaru shamisen and feelings for one’s hometown
63	A Melancholy Road on the Shimokita PeninsulaMatsubara Nobue		Nobue Matsubara passionately sings the soul of Mutsu
64	Hirosaki StoryFujiwara Dai		A 10th anniversary debut single weaving deep love through the scenery of Hirosaki
65	Esashi: Oiwake, Town of WindŌkawa Eisaku		Eisaku Okawa’s signature song Esashi Oiwake: Windy Town
66	Koitou (Koitome) Coastyamaguchi hiromi		An enka song of heartbreak and hope set on the Koitoi Coast
67	Hietsuki Song of HomesicknessOka Yuuko		Memories of My Father Realized Upon Leaving My Hometown
68	Cape TappiShimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s “Tappi Misaki” is an unforgettable masterpiece.
69	Echizen Capekawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s “Echizen Misaki” is a masterpiece that captures the pain of unrequited love.
70	Hometown, I want to see you.Kudō Ayano		A nostalgic song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
71	Tsugaru Love WomanNiinuma Kenji		Kenji Niinuma's signature song “Tsugaru Koionna”
72	Yugiri PortMori Konomi		Singing of a bittersweet love in a foggy harbor town
73	Come back.Matsumura Kazuko		Matsumura, carrying a shamisen, sings brightly and vigorously...
74	Melancholy Japan SeaShiina Sachiko		A melancholic song by Sachiko Shiina set in Fukui
75	Genkai SeaDandano		A father seeing off his son who is about to leave this town...
76	Ban-etsu West Line Tsugawa StationNagai Miyuki		Enka masterpieces themed on the Banetsu West Line
77	Reiwa ElegyShimizu Setsuko		Setsuko Shimizu’s powerful enka resonates in the heart.
78	Agano River Boat SongSawa Keiko		Keiko Sawa releases an enka song inspired by the Agano River
79	TakumiFukuda Kouhei		An enka song about a man who forges his path through sweat and effort.
80	Hokkaido Fisherman’s SongSora Daiki		A powerful song that sings of the life of fishermen
81	Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi		It’s a song released by Takashi Hosokawa in 1985, and up…
82	Man BoatHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa 50th Anniversary of Artistic Career Enka
83	Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo		A poignant enka love song set on the Kuji River
84	Otaru CanalMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s vocal ability was reappraised at the Otaru Canal.
85	Ama divers of TobaToba Ichirō		A warm song portraying an ama diver’s pride and love for her family
86	Festival SongToba Ichirō		A classic that sings of feelings for one’s hometown festival and a firm resolve.
87	Our LullabyToba Ichirō · Yutaka Yamakawa		A song of familial love woven by a brother duo
88	Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi		Introduction to Hisashi Itsuki’s signature work, Nagaragawa Enka
89	To my hometownYashiro Aki		Enka singer Aki Yashiro’s song “To My Hometown…”
90	festivalKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s “Matsuri” is a masterpiece that depicts Japanese festivals.
91	Shall I head home?Kitajima Saburō		A song expressing the feeling of worrying about the mother left behind in one’s hometown…
92	Woman of TakayamaŌe Yutaka		Oe Hiroshi’s Fleeting Love Song of the Hida Road
93	Back-Alley Man’s SakeKihara Takeshi		A Song of Melancholy and Hope of a Man in the Back Alley
94	Harbor Pier DrizzleIshikawa Sayuri		The spoken prelude in enka is a craftsman’s art and pleasing to the ear.
95	Cape Tappi of the WindFukumoto Masaru		Tohoku enka is a song that stirs people's hearts.
96	Shonai Shigure SakeFukuda Kouhei		A new song that sings of a man's melancholy and pride as he longs for his hometown
97	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Sayuri Ishikawa’s classic song “Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene”
98	Alone in the North CountryYoshi Ikuzo		Always bringing humor on variety shows and as an MC...
99	Setouchi Love SongYamaguchi Misato		Thoughts for those who pursue their dreams amid Setouchi’s scenery
100	When I turn around, it’s YokohamaSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto covers classic songs to express love and parting