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	Nanukamachi HanakojiAsō Chigusa		An enka song brimming with hometown love set in Yamagata Nanokamachi
2	Laughing MountainYukino Rio		A heartwarming ballad that expresses gratitude to one’s hometown
3	Chilly Spring InnMizumori Kaori		Kaori Mizumori, an enka song about parting in Mimasaka and hot springs
4	Johana Hikiyama FestivalAoi Kawori		Song for the Jōhana Festival theme
5	Shimotsui Otaki Madakana BridgeNakamura Mitsuko		An enka song about a geisha’s love in a Kitamaebune port town
6	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.
7	Kurashiki RiverHarada Yuuri		A farewell enka set in Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter
8	Elegy of the PierKanō Tatsuya		Tatsuya Kano releases his first “otokouta” single in 7 years
9	Ah, my homeland.Fukushima Hajime		A warm enka song that sings of hometown memories
10	Kanazawa Nostalgia Song 2024Matsubara Takeshi		A remake of enka brimming with nostalgia by Takefumi Matsubara
11	Fishermen’s Fire Love SongMatsumae Hiroko		Masumae Hiroko 55th Debut Anniversary Song
12	Migratory Birds of HarimaSakamoto Fuyumi		A poignant masterpiece by Fuyumi Sakamoto that longs for her hometown
13	Shigure Moon in KinosakiŌe Yutaka		An enka song set in Kinosaki Onsen that laments lingering attachment after a farewell.
14	Kinosaki Love SongHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa’s famous ballad set in Kinosaki Onsen
15	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		A moving debut song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
16	OkkanoyosareHanakyōin Shinobu		An enka song filled with heartfelt feelings for a mother longing for her hometown
17	Shima PeninsulaToba Ichirō		Ichiro Toba’s locally rooted enka
18	Shiranui Love TaleYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic song that sings of her love for Kumamoto
19	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
20	The Wind of TsukubaMizuki Natsumi		An enka song depicting Natsumi Mizuki’s hometown, Ibaraki.
21	Matsuyama AirportHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa sings of love and nostalgia set against the backdrop of Matsuyama Airport
22	Itako LullabyMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako's song 'Itako Scenery'
23	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
24	Kinokawa (Kii River)Sakamoto Fuyumi		A song that portrays the bond of three generations passed down from mother to daughter
25	Hiroshi’s proud hometown, ze yo!Miyama Hiroshi		A local song in which Hiroshi Miyama sings about the charms of his hometown, Kochi
26	Yosakoi enkaKaneda Tatsue		Tatsue Kaneda passionately sings the soul of Tosa in a Yosakoi enka style
27	Tosa manKagami Goro		Goro Kagami’s “Tosa no Otoko” is an enka song that expresses the landscapes and gritty spirit of Tosa.
28	Tokachi Autumn and WinterŌe Yutaka		A heartwarming work, the second installment in the Hokkaido series
29	Amagi YearningMikado Tadaji		A classic travel-themed enka song set in Izu
30	Izu ShowerKitagawa Yūji		Yuji Kitagawa sings about the pain of heartbreak set in Izu
31	Echizen Capekawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s “Echizen Misaki” is a masterpiece that captures the pain of unrequited love.
32	Tsugaru Love WomanNiinuma Kenji		Kenji Niinuma's signature song “Tsugaru Koionna”
33	Woman of TakayamaŌe Yutaka		Oe Hiroshi’s Fleeting Love Song of the Hida Road
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	Kunisaki PeninsulaMatsumae Hiroko		A lyrical enka of the Kunisaki Peninsula sung by Hiroko Matsumae
37	Yagoshi CapeMatsumae Hiroko		A famous song by Hiroko Matsumae that sings of longing for her hometown
38	Drift Ice Missing PersonMiki Junko		A moving work by Junko Miki that depicts the scenery and sentiments of the northern provinces.
39	Hometown Spring and AutumnSuga Akio		An enka song that sings of love for one’s hometown and gratitude to one’s grandfather
40	Kegon FallsAoi Kawori		A moving enka song inspired by Kegon Falls
41	Ah, Mogami RiverMaekawa kyōdai		A warm song that sings of love for the Mogami River and hometown pride
42	homesicknessHarada Yuuri		A moving song that portrays a wistful longing for one’s hometown
43	Mito Kaidō (Mito Highway/Road)Narasaki Masaaki		A heartfelt song brimming with hometown love, themed around the Mito Kaidō
44	I remembered my hometown.Niinuma Kenji		Kenji Niinuma's new song singing of love for his hometown
45	Mother’s sea songMuraki Dan		A heartwarming song that celebrates family bonds
46	Shall I go back to Kure…Tani Ryusuke		Ryusuke Tani’s new song, a track imbued with his feelings for his hometown of Hiroshima
47	Eternal HomelandMita Ryō		A song that celebrates Japan’s nature and culture
48	Hoshi no SatoOoki Ayako		Longing for my hometown entrusted to the starry sky
49	Woman’s Nostalgic Song of HomeShima Etsuko		Etsuko Shima’s new song that sings of homesickness
50	Farewell, SakurajimaSaisei		A song set on Sakurajima that sings of a youthful farewell as one leaves their hometown
51	News from BizenNonaka Saori		The 20th Anniversary City Song Commemorating the Merger, Packed with the Charms of Bizen City
52	White Seaasukamisako		Asuka Misako’s Japan Sea Heartbreak Song
53	Homesick Love Songfujimachiko		An enka song of poignant feelings after losing love
54	Biwako ShigureMifune Kazuko		A tragic love song depicting the scenery of Lake Biwa and feelings of farewell
55	A solitary homeward journeyKita Yūko		Kita Yūko’s homeland-themed single release
56	The northern city, HakodateKitagawa Daisuke		Expressing a port town love story in Showa-era kayōkyoku
57	South… spring and summerYoshi Ikuzo		A hometown love song depicting the seasonal beauty of Tohoku
58	hometownshouka		A song that symbolizes the Japanese spirit, expressing feelings for one’s hometown
59	Yanagase once moreAndō Katsuyuki		A popular song that sings of feelings for Yanagase
60	Tsugaru Shamisen StorySaisei		An enka song that sings of the pride of the Tsugaru shamisen and feelings for one’s hometown
61	A Melancholy Road on the Shimokita PeninsulaMatsubara Nobue		Nobue Matsubara passionately sings the soul of Mutsu
62	Hirosaki StoryFujiwara Dai		A 10th anniversary debut single weaving deep love through the scenery of Hirosaki
63	Koedo Spring: A Spring Evening in KawagoeKeiko Aso		Keiko Aso’s new song in February 2025 depicting the charm of Kawagoe
64	Nagasaki SentimentGodai Shou		A captivating, mature song that sings about the pain of heartbreak set in Nagasaki
65	Yufuin Mist InnNatsuki Ayako		An enka song to forget a tragic love in Yufuin Onsen
66	Esashi: Oiwake, Town of WindŌkawa Eisaku		Eisaku Okawa’s signature song Esashi Oiwake: Windy Town
67	Tanegashima Kamone OndoTendō Yoshimi		Introduction to the famous song depicting Tanegashima by Yoshimi Tendo
68	Koitou (Koitome) Coastyamaguchi hiromi		An enka song of heartbreak and hope set on the Koitoi Coast
69	Hietsuki Song of HomesicknessOka Yuuko		Memories of My Father Realized Upon Leaving My Hometown
70	Saba Kaido (Mackerel Highway)Iwa Misaki		The tradition of transporting salted mackerel to Kyoto
71	Hometown, I want to see you.Kudō Ayano		A nostalgic song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
72	Echizen Love SnowstormIchikawa Yukino		Yukino Ichikawa’s Heartbreak and Fukui’s Snowy Scenery
73	Yugiri PortMori Konomi		Singing of a bittersweet love in a foggy harbor town
74	Come back.Matsumura Kazuko		Kazuko Matsumura’s Job Transfer Cheer Song
75	Melancholy Japan SeaShiina Sachiko		A melancholic song by Sachiko Shiina set in Fukui
76	Genkai SeaDandano		A father seeing off his son who is about to leave this town...
77	Ban-etsu West Line Tsugawa StationNagai Miyuki		Enka masterpieces themed on the Banetsu West Line
78	Reiwa ElegyShimizu Setsuko		Setsuko Shimizu’s powerful enka resonates in the heart.
79	Agano River Boat SongSawa Keiko		Keiko Sawa releases an enka song inspired by the Agano River
80	Alone on the Sea of JapanIshihara Junko		An enka song along the Sea of Japan coast about a heartbroken journey
81	Hokkaido Fisherman’s SongSora Daiki		A powerful song that sings of the life of fishermen
82	Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa Tsugaru Koishiya signature song
83	Man BoatHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa 50th Anniversary of Artistic Career Enka
84	Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo		A poignant enka love song set on the Kuji River
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	Nostalgic Hometown TavernNakamura Mitsuko		My heart wavers at the song of my hometown
89	Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi		Introduction to Hisashi Itsuki’s signature work, Nagaragawa Enka
90	To my hometownYashiro Aki		Enka singer Aki Yashiro’s song “To My Hometown…”
91	Shall I head home?Kitajima Saburō		A song expressing the feeling of worrying about the mother left behind in one’s hometown…
92	MimitsuKanō Tatsuya		From Edo to Meiji, a parting in the port town.
93	Back-Alley Man’s SakeKihara Takeshi		A Song of Melancholy and Hope of a Man in the Back Alley
94	Aizu Namida BridgeTsubuki Miyu		Miyu Tsubuki’s new song depicting a farewell in Aizu
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