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.

Playlist

Men’s enka: a collection of classic songs portraying the way men live and their fighting spirit
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Dream PlayUmezawa Fumio		The famous song through which Tomio Umezawa succeeded as a singer
2	Soran OtokobushiJun Katsuragi		A sailor’s resolve to face the rough seas
3	Flowers and SamuraiMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama shows his full charm with rock enka!
4	A Man’s HeartlessnessKurokawa Shinichiro		Shinichiro Kurokawa: Melancholy Songs for the 20th Anniversary of His Debut
5	roost; nest (where birds sleep). Also used figuratively for a place to stay or sleep.Tani Ryusuke		Ryusuke Tani, who gave up professional baseball and found success in enka
6	Showa-era manToba Ichirō		The way of life of a Showa-era man as sung by Ichiro Toba
7	Woman of FateŌe Yutaka		Oe Hiroshi’s woman’s song. It’s like a kayōkyoku and easy to sing.
8	acting like a handsome guyYoshi Ikuzo		Ikuzo Yoshi’s masterpiece that portrays vanity and clumsiness
9	I’m going to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo		Yoshi Ikuzo’s classic song “We’re Headin’ to Tokyo”
10	Casablanca GoodbyeToba Ichirō		Enka songs by Ichiro Toba that are easy to sing
11	Oga PeninsulaKitayama Takeshi		Takashi Kitayama’s quintessential enka hit set in Akita
12	Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi		The enka masterpiece by Kiyoshi Hikawa, the historical romance of a decayed castle
13	Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi		A famous song by Takashi Hosokawa. The folk-style singing is difficult.
14	youSen Masao		Masao Sen’s classic song “Anta,” which sings of a woman’s heartrending feelings.
15	In every age…Sen Masao		Famous enka songs that even beginners can sing
16	Captain SlowpokeŌe Yutaka		An anthem cheering on those who chase their dreams, even if they're clumsy
17	Like myself…Toukyou Rikisha		New enka ballad single about rickshaws
18	The Last SamuraiKano Hiroshi		A moving enka song that portrays the emotions of Showa-era men
19	A Man’s HarborToba Ichirō		A description of Toba Ichiro’s enka vocal techniques themed around life at sea
20	Feel-good song♪Ōe Yutaka		An enka pop song with a bright melody
21	Midway through life’s journeySatō Yoshito		A moving enka song that portrays a life as it is
22	A Man’s LifeKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s classic that sings of life
23	The northern city, HakodateKitagawa Daisuke		Expressing a port town love story in Showa-era kayōkyoku
24	Hokkai Nagare-utaŌe Yutaka		Hokkaido-set enka by Hiroshi Oe, a soul-stirring singing voice
25	potato flowersKoyama Yudai		A song from Hokkaido filled with gratitude to my mother
26	A man’s single-minded resolveYamazaki Teiji		An anthem of support that sings of the weight of the heart and of conviction
27	YukoYūji Matsuo		Yushi Matsuo’s heartwarming new song sings of life
28	A Man’s LifeSuizenji Kiyoko		An inspirational song by Kiyoko Suizenji that portrays the way a man lives
29	New Soma Love SongNumazaki Shūichi		A moving song that sings of a fisherman's pride and love
30	A life of paying it forwardKanishima Akio		A jewel-like ballad by Akio Kaneshima that gives thanks for kindness and sings of life
31	ComradeToba Ichirō		An enka piece that passionately sings of the bond between men
32	tear-drunkKenjiro		A bittersweet enka song that sings of Kenjiro’s feelings.
33	Wishing Starooi daisuke		A classic song that sings of longing for one’s hometown and dreams
34	Life Dream Voyagetsuge yuuji		Yuji Tsuge, a powerful track for his 20th anniversary
35	Male Dragonmiyama kenji		Miyama Kenji’s new song expresses the way a man lives.
36	Back-Alley Man’s SakeKihara Takeshi		Takeshi Kihara’s new song passionately sings of a man’s feelings.
37	I’m heading to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo		A signature song by Yoshikazu Ikuzō that humorously depicts rural life
38	old man teacherSen Masao		Masao Sen's classic song “Oyaji Sensei” resonates with the heart.
39	Our town was green indeed.Sen Masao		A classic by Masao Sen, enka-style but easy to sing
40	Motomachi BluesSen Masao		Showa Blues, a classic in a gritty enka style
41	Poem of Miso SoupSen Masao		The poem of miso soup is a melancholic song in the lower to mid range.
42	nostalgic personSen Masao		Masao Sen’s “Natsukashi no Hito” is easy to sing.
43	Song of YouthSen Masao		Enka with a warm atmosphere, songs that are easy for beginners to sing
44	Hokkaido Fisherman’s SongSora Daiki		A fight song that sings of the lives of North Sea fishermen
45	Man BoatHosokawa Takashi		A fisherman from Esashi, devoted to his mother, a soul that faces the rough seas
46	Chome-chomehoriemonn		Feeling refreshed and exhilarated with a Horiemon cheer song
47	Calm or stormIchijō Kanta		A powerful song that portrays the life of a sea fisherman
48	passionate flameYoshi Ikuzo		Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic song “Jōen” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
49	Eating My Way Across JapanŌe Yutaka		Introducing Hiroshi Oe’s warm, patriotic songs
50	A man should just cry in silence.Miyashita Kenji		Kenji Miyashita: A moving work that sings the melancholy of Showa-era men
51	Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira		A gentle song depicting a man's feelings as he returns to his hometown
52	The Northern CliffsYamauchi Keisuke		A song of a woman’s wistful heart carried on the sea breeze
53	AfterglowYamauchi Keisuke		A moody Hachiroku-style masterpiece by Keisuke Yamauchi
54	Big brotherYamakawa Yutaka		A simple enka imbued with respect for my older brother
55	KeikoYamakawa Yutaka		Keiko is subdued and moist, holding back her strength
56	Omokage Main LineYamakawa Yutaka		Yutaka Yamakawa’s sultry enka mood ballad
57	Thank you to you.Yamamoto Jōji		The enka song released by Joji Yamamoto on February 1, 2001
58	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		A socially conscious masterpiece that depicts the feelings of men and women
59	Headwind InnocenceTakeshima Hiroshi		Sing Takeshima Hiroshi’s hit songs with emotion
60	A Man’s Pure Hearttatsumi yūto		Yuto Tatsumi’s Reiwa New Star Enka Song
61	Motherly bondedoarudo		A moving work that sings of Edoardo's bond with his mother
62	Hokkai Port FestivalMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama’s Fisherman’s Anthem, a high-difficulty enka song
63	A Man’s WayMiyama Hiroshi		A classic enka masterpiece that sings of Hiroshi Miyama’s masculine outlook on life
64	ancient castleMitsubishi Michiya		An enka classic, highly challenging to sing and beloved through the years
65	The Makioka SistersItsuki Hiroshi		A famous song by Hiroshi Itsuki that sings of feelings for a man through snowy scenes
66	freezing rainKayama Akio		A Showa-era classic that sings of the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak
67	Musashikanmuri jiro		An enka song themed on Miyamoto Musashi, sung by Jiro Kanmuri
68	festivalKitajima Saburō		A song released in 1984 that prays for a bountiful harvest of the five grains…
69	Woman of KagaKitajima Saburō		Saburō Kitajima’s Classic Showa-era Enka Songs
70	mountainKitajima Saburō		The way of life of a man portrayed by Saburo Kitajima is deeply moving…
71	To my daughter…Yoshi Ikuzo		A father’s heartrending feelings as he sings of his daughter’s marriage
72	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		A classic enka song by Ikuzo Yoshi that sings of loneliness and alcohol
73	Drunken SongYoshi Ikuzo		A hit song in a folk style that sings of loneliness in a tavern
74	Men’s Fire FestivalSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s Fiery Cheer Song “Men’s Fire Festival”
75	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		The debut song of a young enka singer who sings of love for Hokkaido
76	With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira		A powerful singing voice grounded in Akira Kobayashi’s enka, and...
77	A street corner in loveYamauchi Keisuke		Vocal highlights of Keisuke Yamauchi’s 2008 hit song
78	A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji		A classic enka song that sings of the loneliness and lingering attachment of a man who has left his hometown
79	A Lone Journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji		One of Joji Yamamoto’s signature songs. A masterpiece that’s challenging for its low register and steady pitch.
80	Lost in the cityIwaide Kazuya		Kazuya Iwade’s “City Stray” is recommended for karaoke
81	Solo Journey with the Tsugaru ShamisenSaisei		Enka harmonized with Tsugaru shamisen and vocals
82	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō		A fine song that quietly observes a man's way of life. 1976…
83	rampaging shipMuraki Dan		1... that sang of the souls of men who stood up to the raging seas
84	homesicknessMori Shinichi		Shinichi Mori’s enka masterpiece vividly expresses the poignant feelings of a bittersweet love.
85	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		A song in which Shinichi Mori attempted a fusion of enka and folk
86	Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa’s famous song with a modern arrangement of the Soran Bushi
87	EbisuSanada Naoki		A love enka song produced by Itsuki Hiroshi, set in the streets of Ebisu
88	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		A gem of a song that portrays Yujiro Ishihara’s lost love
89	Man BoatJinno Mika		A cheer song praising the gallant figure of fishermen
90	TakumiFukuda Kouhei		An enka song about a man who forges his path through sweat and effort.
91	Mother’s Seaside SongFukuda Kouhei		An enka song portraying the love and encouragement of a mother working on the beach
92	Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya		How to sing Ryu Tetsuya’s enka debut song
93	Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi		Kenichi Mikawa's signature song 'Woman of Scorpio'
94	Tears and a solitary drinkAoyama Shin		An enka song that expresses the sorrow of losing a lover with deep emotion
95	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		A song filled with the passionate feelings of men of the sea...
96	konnyaku bastardKurokawa Shinichiro		A bright, upbeat song humorously celebrating konnyaku
97	king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo		A life staked on shogi pieces, and a desperate struggle to live…
98	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s manly song “Funauta” — its overwhelming allure
99	Let’s call it good with this.Mikawa Ken’ichi		A warm song filled with insights into life...
100	pinwheelYoshi Ikuzo		A bittersweet love for adults, a gem of a song by Ikuzo Yoshi