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 (71–80)
A Man’s WayMiyama Hiroshi
This song by Hiroshi Miyama, a leading figure in enka, is a moving masterpiece that powerfully sings of a man’s way of life and outlook on life.
Since it mainly sits in the low to mid vocal range, it’s structured to be easy to sing even for those who struggle with high notes.
Released in February 2017, it also became a popular hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Enka/Kayō Single Chart.
The lyrics capture a calm, composed male figure, his views on love, and his feelings for his hometown—making it a perfect track for those moments when you want to quietly reflect on life, like savoring a drink at a bar and looking back on your journey.
Person Sought in the NorthNakazawa Takuya
Born in 1995, Takuya Nakazawa is a multi-talented artist who made his debut in the enka and kayōkyoku fields in his early twenties, has won numerous awards, and also has a career as a racing driver.
His 2020 single “Kita no Tazunebito” is a refreshing masterpiece that perfectly matches his image, and the lyrics, which sing of a pure love set in Hokkaido, are wonderful.
With a classic kayōkyoku structure—clearly delineated A verse, B verse, and chorus—it’s easy to memorize, and the pitch range is fairly standard, making it suitable for karaoke.
For the chorus, its expansive vocal lines and natural vibrato are fine to shorten a bit and take breaths earlier than in the original if you’re not used to it.
Keep practicing little by little, and strive to perform it with a relaxed expression!
Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi
It’s no exaggeration to call this song one of the signature works of Hiroshi Itsuki, the singer-songwriter Japan is proud of.
Released in 1984, it’s a regional song set in Gifu Prefecture and became a major hit.
Skillfully depicting the scenery of the Nagara River and the bittersweetness of a one-night romance, the piece resonates with lyrics woven in beautiful Japanese and an emotionally rich melody.
Starting with an intro marked by an evocative shamisen tone, the story unfolds through Itsuki’s soaring vocals.
The song garnered numerous music awards, including the Grand Prize at the 26th Japan Record Awards.
It’s relatively easy to sing and recommended for newcomers to enka; when trying it at karaoke, listen closely to Itsuki’s performance and sing with heartfelt expression—that’s the key.
freezing rainKayama Akio
A signature work by Akio Kayama that poignantly sings of the heartache of unrequited love through the figure of a woman enjoying a solitary drink at a bar.
This classic captivates many fans with its bittersweet vocals and richly expressive delivery.
Released in 1977 as his debut single, it has gradually seeped into people’s hearts over time.
In 1983, it won the Long-Seller Award at the Japan Record Awards and is highly regarded as a beloved song of the Showa era.
With a light, folk-tinged melody, the key is to value rhythm and hold back overt power, emphasizing restrained emotion over force.
For karaoke, try singing up to the chorus as if speaking to the listener, and have fun by getting friends to handle the tricky parts.
Boat SongYashiro Aki
There aren’t many songs that fit a nighttime bar as well as this one.
It’s a hit number powerfully delivered by Aki Yashiro’s natural vocal prowess.
Men should have this song in their repertoire, too.
Don’t force it—sing it gently while picturing yourself drinking at the bar counter.
Northern SpringSen Masao
It’s a classic enka song that portrays the feelings of a city dweller nostalgic for their hometown.
The imagery is wonderful—you can almost see the northern spring landscapes with white birches, Japanese kerria blossoms, and a watermill.
Released in April 1977, this piece achieved the remarkable feat of being performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen three years in a row.
If you sing it at karaoke, I recommend picturing the scenes in the lyrics and filling your voice with the sentiment of longing for home.
Prioritize gentle, heartfelt expression over sheer power.
Even if you’re not used to singing, the melody is easy to remember, so it’s a comfortable song to try.
It’s perfect for those living away from their hometown or anyone who wants to recall familiar, nostalgic landscapes.
To my daughter…Yoshi Ikuzo
From the very intro—melancholic acoustic guitar and tasteful strings—you can feel a poignant atmosphere.
It’s a masterpiece written and composed by Ikuzo Yoshi, imbued with the clumsy yet heartfelt feelings of a father toward his daughter as she marries and leaves home.
Fathers who’ve had similar experiences will likely find themselves in tears.
It’s a classic not only for karaoke but also one we’d love to see the bride’s father sing at weddings and receptions.
The melody sits on the lower side, making it easier for those who struggle with high notes, and the pitch is straightforward, so you can expect a solid karaoke score.
That said, more important than any flashy technique is pouring your deep, aching love for your daughter into the performance.
Be sure to read the lyrics carefully and then sing your heart out.
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo
A signature song by Ikuzo Yoshi that movingly portrays the feelings of a man drinking alone.
Released in September 1988, it won the Grand Prix at the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards and has long been cherished as a classic enka number.
Yoshi’s deep vocals blend perfectly with the wistful melody, creating a piece that resonates with listeners.
It has also been performed twice on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, earning wide popularity.
When trying it at karaoke, pay attention to Yoshi’s distinctive vocal projection and emotive expression.
It’s recommended to sing it gently while imagining a scene of reflecting on life over a drink.
Beloved DaysHoriuchi Takao
This is one of Takao Horiuchi’s signature songs.
It was used as the theme song for the year-end period drama Byakkotai, broadcast on Nippon TV in 1986.
The lyrics penned by singer-songwriter Kei Ogura leave a lasting impression.
In terms of vocals, Horiuchi is also a member and songwriter of the rock group Alice, so many parts don’t conform to enka conventions.
He changes the melody and vocal phrasing between the first and second verses, and there are shout-like phrases as well.
Even so, the song doesn’t suddenly jump in pitch or introduce radically different phrasing.
If you can produce the low range clearly and distinctly, and pay attention to how you cut off notes, you’ll likely score higher.
The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku
Eisaku Okawa’s signature song, whose passionate vocals move listeners to the core.
The lyrics depict a heartrending love story with the theme of an affair, beautifully harmonized with an emotive melody.
Released in August 1982, it became a massive hit with total sales of 1.8 million copies.
At the 1983 Japan Record Awards, it won the Long-Seller Award, and in the same year he made his first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Even those new to enka are likely familiar with this song, though it does require a certain level of vocal technique.
It’s recommended to start by carefully listening to Okawa’s delivery and studying elements like breathing timing.