Enka songs that are easy for men to sing: a roundup of tracks to try at karaoke
You might be surprised by how many people want to try singing enka at karaoke.
Of course, there are those who love enka, but even among those who don’t, some people think, “I want to sing enka well and liven up the mood,” or “I often go to karaoke with older people, so I’d like to add some enka to my repertoire.”
In this article, we’ll introduce easy-to-sing songs for men who want to sing enka at karaoke.
Songs with a not-too-wide vocal range and simple melodies are considered easier to sing.
That said, what suits you can vary, so try singing a variety of songs first to see what works for you!
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Easy-to-sing enka recommended for men: a roundup of songs to try at karaoke (91–100)
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
A quintessential classic of the Showa era, this song powerfully portrays a man’s pride and poignant loneliness.
Using a shogi grandmaster as its motif, it movingly depicts a man who refuses to abandon his dreams despite a life of poverty, as well as his gratitude toward his beloved wife.
Released in November 1961, it became an instant smash after Hideo Murata performed it on that year’s NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
The following year, it was chosen as the theme song for a film of the same name, ultimately selling over three million copies.
Marked by its distinctive waltz (3/4) rhythm, the chorus is meant to be sung with powerful conviction.
It’s a perfect choice not only for shogi fans, but also for anyone striving toward their dreams or wishing to sing with heartfelt thanks to someone dear.
Cape ErimoMori Shinichi
This is a song released by Shinichi Mori in 1974.
The lyrics were written by Osami Okamoto and the music was composed by Takuro Yoshida—big names who symbolize the folk music scene of the 1970s contributed to this track.
The song was born from Takuro Yoshida’s wish to write a piece for Shinichi Mori and Mori’s desire not to be confined solely to the enka genre.
It’s easier to approach if you take the style of singing a folk song with an enka vocal approach.
Since there are no pitch-shaking techniques like kobushi or vibrato here, sing it straight.
There’s a challenging section in the chorus where the melody rises sharply and then falls; if you can get through that part, a high score is within reach.
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi
This is a single released by Kiyoshi Hikawa in 2002, and of course it was a hit.
His strong vocal ability has been a draw since his debut, but even so, his earliest songs are full of a fresh innocence and the vibrant quality of youth at the time.
Among Hikawa’s songs, which might seem difficult, this one is relatively approachable.
If I were to point out a tricky spot, it’s the part where the pitch drops at the end of phrases.
Generally speaking, descending motion is considered harder than ascending.
Practice so you can drop the pitch cleanly.
Karaoke scoring systems are pretty strict about pitch, after all.
EbisuSanada Naoki
Produced by Ikuzo Yoshi, this song tells a love story set in the Ebisu district.
Naoki Sanada, known for his captivating husky voice, delivers an emotionally rich performance.
The lyrics skillfully depict the progression of romance while weaving in the transition from autumn to winter and then to spring, leaving a strong impression.
Released in January 2020, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Enka/Kayō ranking.
With its urban atmosphere and warm lyrics, it’s an easy song to enjoy at karaoke.
Even if you’re not confident in your singing ability, belting out the chorus with power should be more than enough to get the crowd going.
Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō
A classic song that depicts the harsh northern landscapes and a bittersweet love, it is one of Yujiro Ishihara’s signature works.
The protagonist’s feelings as he travels through Kushiro, Hakodate, and Otaru are woven together with a wistful melody.
Released as a single in August 1987, it was also used as an insert song for the TV Asahi drama “Seibu Keisatsu.” Ishihara’s distinctive low voice is captivating, and the song is popular for karaoke.
Even beginners will find it easy to sing thanks to its relaxed tempo and straightforward melody.
Why not picture the great northern land and take your time singing it?
Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya
This is Tetsuya Ryu’s debut single, released in 1980.
With this song, he even appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1981.
Despite losing his eyesight at 25, he persevered, debuting as an enka street performer in his hometown of Takayama, Gifu, with an accordion in his arms.
He sings the lyrics, set in his home region of Okuhida, with deep emotion.
This is enka at its finest—a masterpiece packed with its unique charm.
The style features an abundance of kobushi, the characteristic melodic ornaments of enka.
To master it, listen to the recording and try imitating the kobushi.
As you repeat, you’ll start to grasp their nuances.
Be sure to mimic the note sustains and accents closely.
Not only will this help you score higher, it will undoubtedly make singing enka even more enjoyable.
North TavernHosokawa Takashi
This is Takashi Hosokawa’s signature song, released in 1982 and a major hit.
Many people might name this track when they think of enka.
It’s memorable for its approachable, more kayōkyoku/pop-like feel and its rock-style arrangement rather than traditional enka.
While many enka songs place accents on the first and third beats, this one emphasizes the second and fourth beats, like Western music and J-pop.
Memorizing the melody is important, but keeping the rhythm throughout the entire song is crucial.
Also, while Hosokawa’s high notes tend to draw attention, being able to produce solid low notes is another key point.
Brother ShipsToba Ichirō
This work was sung as the debut song by Ichirō Toba, who was born and raised in a fisherman’s family.
With a powerful yet wistful voice, it expresses the bonds among men of the sea and their feelings for their families.
Released in August 1982, it became a million-seller and later was performed seven times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it a classic.
The overall pitch is on the lower side, making it approachable even for those who struggle with high notes.
If vibrato is difficult, try focusing on clear enunciation to convey the lyrics distinctly.
It’s a recommended song for livening up a karaoke session or for singing with heartfelt thoughts for someone special.
A Man’s HarborToba Ichirō
When it comes to enka singers with a masculine vocal style, many people probably think of Ichiro Toba first.
If we’re talking about the song that best showcases his manliness, it has to be “Otoko no Minato” (A Man’s Harbor).
While its power and masculinity are captivating, it’s actually one of the easier songs to sing within the enka genre.
Although the kobushi (melodic shakes) appear repeatedly, they’re relatively simple and reproducible for enka beginners, so the overall difficulty is low.
However, because you need to sing with strong vibrato, diaphragmatic strength and control are required.
Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō
Kitano Ryojo is a striking piece with a bold intro that incorporates the sound of strong winds.
It falls into the category of “manly songs,” which are Saburo Kitajima’s specialty.
Manly songs typically feature a rough singing style with shouts, and this piece includes those elements as well.
However, since the shouts only appear in the chorus, it’s one of the more approachable manly songs among his works.
The chorus is expansive, yet surprisingly light on long sustained notes, making it quite singable even without strong foundational technique.
The kobushi (melodic ornamentation) is also relatively restrained for a Kitajima song, making this an ideal piece for practice.