Men’s enka: a collection of classic songs portraying the way men live and their fighting spirit
There are many enka songs that depict the way men live and their stylish, gallant spirit.
There are also songs that sing about bonds and love from a male perspective.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of songs that convey men’s emotions.
We’ve gathered plenty of chic, cool tracks and deeply moving songs full of compassion.
We’re sure you’ll find songs that resonate with you regardless of gender, so please listen while following along with the lyrics.
Men’s enka: A collection of classic songs (1–10) that portray the way men live and their spirit
Soran OtokobushiNEW!Jun Katsuragi
This song captivates with its gritty worldbuilding that portrays the resolve to face the rough seas like a sailor.
It’s a number written and composed under his own pen name by Jun Katsuragi, an enka singer who has been active in the Kanto area for many years.
His stylish, mature vocal delivery and the deep conviction that comes from creating the piece himself strike straight to the heart.
For anyone struggling to overcome life’s rough waters, its passionate message will surely give you courage.
Flowers and SamuraiMiyama Hiroshi
Hiroshi Miyama, known for his warm “vitamin voice” and beloved in households as the kendama enka singer, delivers a rock-enka number in this work released in January 2026, singing while playing the drums.
I hear he carried around an electronic drum kit during production to practice extensively.
His performance, powerfully expressing the spirit of the Japanese man, is truly breathtaking.
It’s a highly recommended song for anyone who needs a push forward.
A Man’s HeartlessnessKurokawa Shinichiro
Shinichiro Kurokawa, who trained under Hideo Mizumori and made his debut in 2003, delivers an ambitious work in “Otoko no Mujō” that delves deeply into a man’s inner emotions—his weakness and regret.
Released as a single in December 2025, the song showcases a voice that has grown more seasoned by his 20th debut anniversary in 2023, quietly resonating in listeners’ hearts.
Tatsuya Nango’s arrangement lends a wistful atmosphere that pairs exquisitely with Kurokawa’s soaring high notes.
It’s perfect for nights when you want to immerse yourself in life’s sorrows.
roost; nest (where birds sleep). Also used figuratively for a place to stay or sleep.Tani Ryusuke
Ryusuke Tani is an enka singer from Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
He once chased a dream of becoming a professional baseball player and even made it to the final round of tryouts.
In 2018, he won the Best Vocal Performance Award at a song festival hosted by the Japan Singers Association, a testament to his proven talent.
Marking the 20th anniversary of his debut is this song.
It’s the third installment in a series produced by Ikuzo Yoshi, unfolding a worldview that portrays the life of a slightly mischievous man.
Tani’s straightforward, powerful vocals blend perfectly with the song’s rugged storytelling, truly moving the listener.
If you enjoy authentic, masculine enka, be sure to give it a listen.
Showa-era manToba Ichirō
Enka singer Ichiro Toba, who has long sung of the spirit of “men of the sea.” As its title suggests, “Showa no Otoko” is a classic enka number that portrays the way of life of a man who ran straight through the Showa era.
The protagonist, clumsy yet unwavering in his convictions and walking through life with sincerity, is brought to life by Toba’s powerful yet warm vocals.
Toba himself has said he poured his strong feelings for his father, who survived the Showa era, into the song—and you can feel that intensity resonating in his voice.
Perfect for those who want to hear a song about a man with an unshakable backbone, or when you want to touch the heart of good old Japan.
acting like a handsome guyYoshi Ikuzo
Ikuzo Yoshi is known for his versatile musicality that extends beyond enka to include even rap.
“Nimaime Kidori” is a single released in September 2025, and a long-awaited work that reunites him with his close ally, composer Makoto Sugimoto, for the first time in 13 years since 2012’s “Sono Mukashi.” It vividly portrays the raw, inescapably human clumsiness and bittersweet sorrow lurking behind a man who puts on airs and tries to look cool.
A masterpiece that conveys the astringency of life, its seasoned vocals resonate deeply in the heart.
Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi
It’s a single that unfolds like a grand historical tale, woven from bygone glory and the passage of time.
Released by Kiyoshi Hikawa in 2003, it’s included on the album “Kiyoshi Hikawa: Enka Masterpiece Collection 3 ~ Castle of White Clouds.” Set against the backdrop of a decayed castle, its poetic worldview strikingly contrasts the transience of human life with the eternity of nature.
The scenes recalling the once-valiant young warrior depicted in the lyrics deeply move the listener.
A classical orchestration that transcends the bounds of enka fuses beautifully with Hikawa’s passionate vocals, stirring the heart with an overwhelming sense of scale.
It’s a masterpiece to savor on a night when you want to dwell on the romance of history.
In every age…Sen Masao
Masao Sen’s classic “Itsunoyo mo…” is known for its orthodox enka-style melody.
The song carries the message that some things remain unchanged even as times change, and perhaps to match that theme, it’s composed with a very straightforward, low-quirk melody.
While it’s full of enka elements, most of the kobushi (melodic turns) and shakuri (scoops) are modest and approachable, making it a song that even beginners or those not yet accustomed to singing enka can handle comfortably.
Captain SlowpokeŌe Yutaka
An uplifting anthem that defined the 2000s, stirring the heart with its portrait of someone single-mindedly pursuing their dream despite being clumsy.
Released in February 2009 as Hiroshi Oe’s debut single, it was selected as the ending theme for TBS’s variety show “Sanma no Super Karakuri TV,” and, together with his distinctive personality, became widely beloved by audiences at home.
It tells the story of a protagonist who keeps moving forward step by step, holding a strong resolve to one day become a big name, even if people around him laugh.
Created by his mentor Saburo Kitajima under the pen name Jōji Hara, the song is also included on Oe’s first album, “Enka Taisho • Hiroshi Oe — Nihon Rettō Uta Hikyaku I.” Hiroshi Oe’s passionate vocals convey that pure sentiment straight and true, as if gently giving listeners a push forward.
As long as life lastsTendō Yoshimi
This work can truly be called the pinnacle of “life enka,” a song that celebrates the strength to overcome life’s joys and sorrows.
Released by Yoshimi Tendo in January 2006, the track spent 38 weeks on the Oricon charts and captured the hearts of many.
The determined resolve to live for a loved one and the single-minded pursuit of dreams supported by a mother’s words unfold like a sweeping epic.
Tendo’s deep, warmly enveloping voice brings a dramatic richness to the lyrics’ world.
When you find yourself at a crossroads in life or in need of the strength to look forward once more, this song may gently nudge you onward.