[May 2026] Latest Enka and Kayōkyoku roundup. Check out the buzzworthy new songs!

If you’ve found your way here, that probably means you love enka and kayōkyoku! Often called the “heart of Japan,” enka and kayōkyoku are full of timeless songs that resonate with everyone.

Maybe you head out to concerts with friends to see your favorite singers, or you hone your skills at karaoke aiming to become a great singer—everyone has their own way to enjoy them.

In this article, we’ve put together the latest, newly released enka and kayōkyoku tracks! Get a jump on the hits that are sure to come next!

Playlist

Release of a new enka song
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	lap pillowShiroyama Mitsuki		An enka song that sings of warm memories between a mother and her daughter
2	Love’s Detourokayu		Mood Kayō that conveys the charm of Shōwa-era kayōkyoku
3	Lingering Regrets of YouthNakamura Yuito		An enka song that delicately expresses the sense of loss from a broken heart
4	Hometown Longing, Akane CloudsNarasaki Masaaki		A Song about Longing for His Hometown by Masaaki Narasaki
5	Michinoku Love DrizzleHachiya Keiko		Keiko Hachiya’s enka single release
6	Shigure TavernShimizu Hiromasa		An enka song portraying the scene of a heartbroken woman sinking into melancholy at a bar
7	A Man’s Life: The Road of Dreamstaki atsushi		An enka song depicting a life that faces hardship
8	pure loveTakeshima Hiroshi		Hiroshi Takeshima’s 25th Anniversary Debut Love Song
9	Lullaby of DawnNakashima Shizuki		Shizuki Nakajima’s new song portrays a love that has passed
10	A Thousand-Year Love LetterItsuki Hiroshi		Deep Expression of Love in Hiroshi Itsuki’s New Song
11	Dream AirportKawai Seiko		An enka song portraying a long-distance couple’s breakup and reunion
12	Song of Our Lovesugaakira		A sentimental enka ballad about sharing life's hardships in love
13	At Sakuragi BridgeNakanishi Rie		A new song set in Nakanishi Rie’s hometown, Ise City
14	Alone in Nagoya at the end of a loveMizumori Kaori		A cheerful local song with a heartbreak theme
15	The Umbrella of LoveKogō Aishi		Re-release of Aishi Egawa’s Japanese-style popular song and dance tracks
16	Day by day, repeatedly and earnestlyIshikawa Sayuri		A message song that sings of the preciousness of everyday life
17	NEGAIHana MEN gumi		Hana MEN-gumi debuts at No. 1 with a kayō ballad track
18	White Thread Love SongAoi Kawori		A new enka song to sever lingering feelings after a broken heart
19	Spring in TateyamaAoi Kawori		Song introduction of Aoi Kawori’s “Jinsei Sanka”
20	Flower of LoveFujiwara Ayayo		A landmark work by an enka singer who balances farming and singing
21	Travel it is, OjarumaruHikawa Kiyoshi		A journey, that’s what it is—fusion of enka and anime songs
22	Plumeria RhapsodySanada Naoki		Naoki Sanada releases a love song set in a tropical scene
23	Rain at Hase-dera — On the Yamato Road in Late AutumnToba Ichirō		The Rain at Hasedera is promoted to the title track
24	In a snow-covered townKawashima Kenji		An enka song that portrays the subtleties of life against a snowy landscape
25	Dream FireworksŌtsuki Miyako		Miyako Otsuki’s Enka Song of Gratitude and Hope
26	A blatant lie and a bouquetAbe Ritsuko		Duet queen releases new song
27	Under the cherry blossom treeMatsuzaka Yuuki		A poignant new song that reflects feelings for the departed in cherry blossoms
28	Soran OtokobushiJun Katsuragi		A sailor’s resolve to face the rough seas
29	Ruby of the Starry Skyumetani kokona		Kokoa Umetani's enka single
30	Wuthering Heightsmatsuzaki kōsuke		The feeling of being unable to forget a love that has ended
31	Wind God and Thunder GodKimura Tetsuji		A song that expresses a strong will to face rough seas
32	Thirteen monthsAoyama Shin		A melancholic kayō blues that portrays lingering feelings after a broken heart
33	Love is reincarnationKoyanagi Rumiko		Regenerating while wounded and moving forward
34	This world is a festivalYamauchi Keisuke		Encouraging kayōkyoku songs by Keisuke Yamauchi
35	Furubira Passion: Tengu Fire-WalkingShima Akino		Akino Shima releases new Japanese rock enka single
36	The Northern StationSugimoto Kentarō		A ballad that quietly reflects on thoughts of a mother in a snowy country
37	Spinning dreamsHimuro Kazuya		Kazuya Himuro’s Human Relationships Gratitude Single
38	Kazura Bridge Love SongNagai Yuko		The Drama of the Iya Vine Bridge and the Legend of the Heike Refugees
39	A love song from long agoSakamoto Fuyumi		A jazz-style song where past loves intersect with the present
40	Thank you for the happinessIriyama Akiko		A singer with a background as a nurse releases a thank-you enka song
41	Daisuke’s Soran Love SongKitagawa Daisuke		Introduction of Daisuke Kitagawa’s new song “Soran Koika”
42	blue-gray cloudsOkita Masami		Masami Okita’s new song “Aoun”: a hopeful kayō-enka
43	Ciao, my belovedPaku Junyon		Park Junyong Korean Trot Love Cover Song
44	Dream RhapsodyOka Midori		An enka song depicting the passion with one's destined partner
45	Snow in the Ancient CapitalFutami Souichi		A song of longing about two people who return again and again to the stage in Kyoto
46	Autumn Without Youchoukokuu		A heartfelt song about the pain of losing a loved one
47	A fortunate personOozora Chihaya		A sincere work by a new singer blending enka and pop
48	Passionate BreathAsahina Akiko		Akiko Asahina's new Latin rhythm song
49	Feelings in my heartKiuchi Matsue		A love song by a talented singer from Gunma
50	The port town thereafterShiina Sachiko		Sachiko Shiina 25th Anniversary Debut Classic Enka
51	Lonely Generationtatsumi yūto		Yuto Tatsumi’s 10th album, an enka work fused with rock
52	JourneyTendō Yoshimi		Yoshimi Tendo’s new song is an enka that portrays the bond between husband and wife
53	Warm Current Cherry Blossomskawanaka miyuki		A song themed around a warm heart that endures winter and awaits spring
54	I/meYūji Matsuo		Yushi Matsuo takes on kayōkyoku with his new release
55	Torn to pieces by loveChon Tefu		A single by a Korean singer that sings about the pain of love
56	Brother PierIchijō Kanta		Ichijo Kanta’s enka song “Kyoudai Hatoba” is moving.
57	Koizakura in Monzen-nakachōSaisei		Sai Sei’s love song single imbued with Edo-era elegance
58	Pathway of the HeartAsahna Miho		Miho Asaka’s song-acting, a cheer song for the heart
59	I’m a woman waiting in Tokachi.Fujiwara Hiroshi		A love song of the north sung by Hiroshi Fujiwara, a former truck driver
60	Woman of the port townhayabusa		Hayabusa 15th Anniversary Debut Commemorative Album
61	Not enough for loveSakurai Hayato		A slow number with captivating, deep bass
62	On the journey of lifeShimizu Setsuko		A wistful song that quietly reflects on life
63	diamond dustNoda Kazuki		Kazuki Noda’s debut song, a story of restoring trust
64	Little Devil MarieNakagawa Kyomi		Kyomi Nakagawa releases a new jazz-inspired song
65	Stop this momentOhōtsuku Tarō		A Passionate Ballad by Okhotsk Taro
66	stationYamakawa Yutaka		Yutaka Yamakawa 45th Anniversary Debut New Song 'Eki' (Station)
67	spare keyIwa Misaki		Iwasaki Misaki’s new song is a poignant ballad with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto.
68	Moderate Intoxication SakeHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa’s new song, the warmth of forgiveness and bonds
69	Thank youJunretsu		Junretsu releases a song of gratitude and support for their 15th debut anniversary
70	Everlasting Love ~ Overflowing with LoveAkanesawa Yumeru with ZU		A soulful song that expresses gratitude and a fresh start
71	Blessed Mountains and RiversKurokawa Eiji		Eiji Kurokawa’s new song is a work that depicts the joys and sorrows of life.
72	My Flower -Lien-yuasa michiru		Michiru Yuasa’s self-cover of her debut song
73	Lyrical Ballad of PartingYamazaki Teiji		Commemorative single celebrating the 30th anniversary of the enka singer’s career
74	I’ll wipe away your tears.Kawakami Ai		Ai Kawakami expresses love with a male-style chant
75	Ah, a solitary journeyIchirō Toba, Yutaka Yamakawa, Tetsuji Kimura		Family unit of Ichiro Toba and Yutaka Yamakawa releases new single
76	Tokyo JunctionSHOW-WA		SHOW-WA: Reviving Shōwa-era pop songs for today
77	Flowers and SamuraiMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama shows his full charm with rock enka!
78	Warbler TidingsYamamoto Kenji		Kenji Yamamoto: The Folk Song Spirit Singing of His Hometown
79	Hydrangea SlopeHirayama Kaha		The charm of Kanaha Hirayama, a refreshing enka singer
80	Romance ExpressKoikawa Iroha		Showa love ballads delivered by a dancing enka singer
81	You got swept away? / It got washed away?Kusunoki Kohei		A song portraying a forbidden love that stirs the heart
82	Cape KamuiHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa sings about the scenery of his hometown.
83	Woman of the Echigo RoadYajima Akiyo		Akuyo Yajima, a singer of folk songs and enka