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: A roundup of recommended enka songs for karaoke
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- [Japan’s Best Vocalist] Fukuda Kohei’s Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs
- A collection of iconic, cool Showa-era kayōkyoku classics sung by male vocalists
- Queen of Enka: A roundup of Aki Yashiro’s easy-to-sing songs
- [2026] Recommended for those who find high notes difficult! Enka by male singers that you can sing in a low register
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
Easy-to-sing enka recommended for men: A roundup of songs to try at karaoke (81–90)
Sake of TearsŌki Nobuo
It continues to resonate with many people as a masterpiece that portrays a man trying to drown his heartbreak in alcohol.
The 7-5 rhythm of the lyrics pairs exquisitely with the wistful melody, creating an emotionally rich world that could be called the essence of enka.
Since its release in 1964, it has been covered by singers across generations, attesting to the song’s timeless appeal.
When singing it at karaoke, focusing on delicately expressing the barroom scenes and the protagonist’s emotions will give your performance greater depth.
It’s a song I recommend not only to those who have experienced heartbreak, but also to anyone who wants to savor life’s bittersweet melancholy.
In a dreamKobayashi Akira
Akira Kobayashi, beloved by people of all ages for his strikingly memorable singing voice and acting, recorded this song with lyrics by Yu Aku and music by Koichi Morita.
Released in 1978, it was used as the theme song for TV dramas such as “Edo Professional: Hissatsu Shōbainin.” Its appeal lies in lyrics that delicately depict the transience of life and the love between men and women, paired with a wistful melody.
When tackling it at karaoke, it’s good to channel Kobayashi’s powerful yet deeply expressive singing style.
This is a classic that even beginners to enka will find approachable, so why not give it a try?
I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira
A signature song by Akira Kobayashi, released in 1975, which became a long-selling hit with over two million copies sold over more than two years.
It remains a classic that is still sung today.
Because of its bright timbre it can feel high in key, but it’s actually not that high.
Once you memorize the first chorus, the rest is mostly repetition of the same melody, making it easy to practice.
Try to clearly differentiate the volume and emotional intensity between the verse and the chorus.
If you sustain the long notes well and master the slightly wider melodic intervals, a high score won’t be just a dream.
A street corner in loveYamauchi Keisuke
This is Keisuke Yamauchi’s 2008 hit song about romances between men and women unfolding in bars across bustling districts like Sapporo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
Although he’s from Fukuoka Prefecture, his career has an interesting twist in that his popularity first took off from Hokkaido.
The song doesn’t demand a particularly wide vocal range, nor does it feature extremely high or low notes.
The classic path to improvement is to grasp the melody and sing so the lyrics come across clearly and crisply.
If you sing while taking a bird’s-eye view of the song’s world—approaching it with the mindset of a narrator—you’ll likely be able to perform without overloading it with emotion, in just the right way.
America BridgeYamakawa Yutaka
This is a 1998 song by Yutaka Yamakawa, the younger of the star brothers from Toba City in Mie Prefecture.
His older brother is Ichiro Toba.
It’s amazing that both brothers have hit songs, isn’t it? “America Bridge” is another name for Ebisu Minami Bridge, located between Ebisu and Meguro Stations on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line.
Tokyo has its own local songs, too.
To aim for a high score with this song, make sure you can feel the 6/8 time.
If you get left behind by this rhythm, scoring high won’t even be the issue.
Once you’ve got the 6/8 down, pay attention to matching the words with the melody.
Then—like magic—you’ll find it’s surprisingly easy to sing, and it becomes more and more enjoyable.
Savor the chorus’s melody and lyrics that are unique to 6/8 time, and sing with pleasure.
The high score will naturally follow.
A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji
A signature work by Joji Yamamoto whose lyrical lyrics and beautiful melody move the heart.
Depicting a parting and a new journey with a loved one, this piece is a masterpiece that even newcomers to enka can fully appreciate.
Released in August 1980 and selling over one million copies, the song led to Yamamoto’s first appearance at the 32nd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen the following year.
Overall, the pitch is relatively low and easy to sing, highlighting the charm of the middle to lower registers.
When attempting it at karaoke, savor the lyrics that evoke the scenery of the Tohoku region and try to convey a world rich with the sentiment of travel.
A Lone Journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji
This is one of Joji Yamamoto’s signature songs.
It was introduced to him by his mentor, Saburo Kitajima.
After hearing it, Yamamoto begged to sing it, which led to a massive hit.
It has since become a classic that continues to be performed.
The low notes in the B section may be difficult to produce even for men.
Practice so that your chest voice resonates solidly within your body.
Doing so will improve not only your low notes but your high notes as well.
The famous, relentless phrase at the ending may feel challenging precisely because the pitch doesn’t change much.
Engage your core and sing with firm abdominal support.
Lost in the cityIwaide Kazuya
Singing straightforward, classic enka at karaoke might still be a bit tough… For those of you who feel that way, I recommend this famous song packed with kayō-pop flavor! Kazuya Iwade, an enka singer from Osaka known for his handsome looks and solid vocal skills, released “Tokyo Stray” in 2022.
Its easy-to-remember, instantly catchy chorus makes it a must-add to your karaoke repertoire.
The urbane, refined melody calls for holding back on the typical enka-style vocal ornaments, and in the especially exciting chorus, aim for a natural vibrato and a smooth, expansive delivery.
Will you marry me?Niinuma Kenji
A signature song from just after Kenji Niinuma’s debut, depicting a rustic young man proposing to the woman he loves.
Its gentle, heart-soothing melody and lyrics that convey the earnest feelings of a pure-hearted youth resonated with many listeners.
Released in June 1976, the song led to Niinuma winning the Newcomer Award at the Japan Record Awards that year and making his first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
With lyrics by Yū Aku and music by Makoto Kawaguchi, this classic showcases Niinuma’s warm, appealing vocals.
It’s also recommended for karaoke beginners—sing it with sincerity and it’s sure to touch listeners’ hearts.
If you’d like to try enka, give this one a go.
draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō
Among Ryotaro Sugi’s career as a singer—he’s also renowned as an actor—his best‑selling signature song is Sukimakaze.
It was used as the theme song for his masterpiece period drama Toyama no Kin-san and achieved an astonishing record by staying within the Oricon Top 100 for 147 weeks.
It’s also a karaoke favorite, so it’s a great pick to sing with plenty of mood and aim for a high score.
While the melody may sound steady overall, you’ll notice when you sing it that the pitch range is actually fairly wide.
The song’s rich, deep low notes are part of its charm, so if low tones are difficult for you, we recommend listening to the original repeatedly and practicing those parts intensively.