A collection of masterpieces! A roundup of enka love songs
Within enka, there are works spanning a variety of genres and vivid scene depictions, but many people probably feel that “enka means love songs.”
So this time, we’re introducing enka love songs!
We’ll cover a wide range—from songs that sing as if narrating a heartrending tragic romance, to ones where love wells up endlessly.
We’ve focused on hit songs, so it’s perfect for choosing tracks for karaoke, too.
Be sure to check it out to the end!
- A collection of classic enka masterpieces about love: songs that depict the nuances of mature romance.
- Women’s Enka: A collection of classic enka songs expressing women’s emotions
- [2026] A Collection of Masterpieces of Enka and Mood Kayō
- Compilation of enka duet songs. Introducing popular kayōkyoku hits as well!
- Showa-era love songs: A roundup of timeless love songs cherished across generations
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [2026] A roundup of classic enka songs you'd like to sing at weddings and receptions
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1980s
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- “I Want to See You”: A love song that makes you cry when you listen to it while you can’t meet
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that really move you. Beloved classic Japanese hits of the past.
- Songs to give to your lover or someone you like. Love songs devoted wholeheartedly to your boyfriend or girlfriend.
A Collection of Masterpieces! Enka Love Songs (71–80)
Crimson PrideOkada Shinobu
A song that richly portrays the heart of a woman shattered by love.
The lyrics are striking, offering a glimpse of the “woman’s pride” that is a hallmark of enka.
Shinobu Okada’s deep, resonant voice conveys the complex emotions with remarkable realism.
Released in October 2024, it perfectly suits the autumn season—its poignant melancholy pairs beautifully with the crimson foliage.
It’s reportedly popular at karaoke as well.
Highly recommended not only for those troubled by love, but also for anyone who wants to empathize with the feelings of a mature woman.
Listened to in the calm of night, it seems to sink even deeper into the heart.
matchIwa Misaki
A powerful yet delicate song that sings of feelings ignited by a single match.
Released in August 2024, this is Misaki Iwasa’s 11th single since her transition from AKB48, steadily advancing her solo career.
It fully showcases her signature fusion of enka and pop, and in lyrics newly written by Yasushi Akimoto, the image of a small spark growing into a great flame is layered over the emotions of love.
Please give it a listen when you want to think of someone dear to you.
Love Song of the WaterfallKumi Iwamoto
A heart-stirring song woven from majestic nature and a bittersweet love.
Released in October 2024 to commemorate Komi Iwamoto’s 30th anniversary debut, it captivates with its powerful vocals and poetic lyrics.
The kobushi-inflected singing resonates pleasantly, and the inclusion of kouta elements lends both allure and depth.
The lyrics, expressing the sorrow of heartbreak and timeless emotions, are sure to strike a deep chord with listeners.
Against the backdrop of grand natural scenery, a poignant love story unfolds.
It’s the perfect piece for reminiscing about love or when you’re in the mood for an enka that truly sinks into the heart.
Hazy MoonMochizuki Ruka
This is a gently atmospheric piece that paints the scene of a hazy moon, seen through spring night mists.
Ruka Mochizuki’s distinctive vocals beautifully capture a world that’s romantic yet slightly nostalgic.
Released by Nippon Columbia in June 2024, the work is marked by a style that incorporates traditional Japanese aesthetics and a keen sense of the seasons.
It’s the perfect song for those who want to spend a quiet, unhurried moment—something you’ll want to listen to alone on a tranquil night.
The lyrics, with their restrained and steady emotional flow, convey both a poignant sorrow and the beauty of silence.
The Last DrinkKimura Tetsuji
This song evokes a sweet, heartrending scene of parting.
Released in February 2024, Tetsuji Kimura’s vocals beautifully capture both the sorrow and the beauty of farewell.
Written by his older brother, Ryuzo Kimura, the piece conveys the bond between the brothers and has been crafted into a wonderful work.
With a highball made with barley shochu before them, the lyrics embody the bittersweet emotions of two people who have resolved to say goodbye.
It’s a track that fully showcases Kimura’s talent, who won the New Artist Award at the 65th Japan Record Awards.
I highly recommend it to anyone feeling the pangs of love or the sadness of parting.