An enka song about the Sea of Japan. A collection of famous songs themed around the great ocean.
Did you know there are many enka songs that sing about the Sea of Japan?
Of course, there are plenty of songs with “Sea of Japan” in the title, and many others where it appears in the lyrics.
The rough waves and the harsh cold of winter—the images associated with the Sea of Japan—fit perfectly with the mood of enka.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of classic enka songs that depict the Sea of Japan.
Take your time listening as you imagine the scenery portrayed in each song.
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Enka songs about the Sea of Japan: A collection of classic masterpieces themed on the vast ocean (91–100)
Harbor Pier DrizzleIshikawa Sayuri
When it comes to enka, you can’t forget the formal pre-song introduction speech.
Delivered in a smooth 5-7 rhythm, it introduces the piece and ends precisely the moment the singing begins—true craftsmanship.
Announcers like Kazuo Tokumitsu and Kimimaro Ayanokoji are so captivating you can’t help but listen.
“Sipping sake to the sound of a foghorn…” That kind of intro fits this song, ‘Hatoba Shigure,’ perfectly.
Its breezy lyrics portray an ill-fated woman drifting from port to port in the Seto Inland Sea—classic enka through and through.
The way the 5-7 cadence settles the heart—at this point, is the 5-7 rhythm embedded in the Japanese DNA? Sayuri Ishikawa’s sultry allure also makes this a superb track!
Strait Shooting StarMiki Junko
A moving enka that brings tears with its single-minded love.
This is a single released by Junko Miki in May 2024.
The song captures a bittersweet longing for a beloved person across the sea, a poignant love ballad that entrusts a wish to a shooting star, believing they will surely meet again someday.
Shinichi Ishihara’s lyrics are embraced by Chiaki Oka’s lyrical melody, creating a wonderful world of their own.
It’s a perfect track for driving along a coastal road, or for nights when you think of your lover and are moved to tears.
Boat SongYashiro Aki
The song Funauta captivates with its whispery, husky voice.
It was even featured in a 2006 Suntory BOSS commercial, so many of you might remember it.
Written and composed by the golden duo Yu Aku and Keisuke Hama, it was Aki Yashiro’s first “man’s song.” She apparently felt it would be a hit from the moment she heard the demo for the first time—and no wonder: the opening lyrics and melody draw you into the song’s world instantly.
A woman belting out a man’s song is just plain cool—nothing more needs to be said.
Cape ErimoMori Shinichi
Erimo Misaki, a masterpiece created by the dream team of lyricist Osami Okamoto and composer Takuro Yoshida during the folk boom.
At first, people said the folk image didn’t suit Shinichi Mori, but the release was greenlit thanks to Mori’s own strong push.
The way Mori, with his husky voice, sings of spring finally arriving at Erimo in Hokkaido after a harsh winter—it really pierces the heart.
It’s also noteworthy that Reni Takagi of Momoiro Clover Z and Kazuya Yoshii have covered the song!
Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri
The well-known classic that represents enka, “Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scenery.” It’s also the song with which Sayuri Ishikawa transitioned from an idol singer to a full-fledged enka artist.
It’s an epic ballad about people who boarded a night train departing from Ueno Station, crossed the Tsugaru Strait in Aomori Prefecture, and made their way to Hokkaido.
In 2016, Sayuri Ishikawa appeared as a coffee shop master in the Suntory BOSS commercial “Hokkaido Shinkansen,” which featured Tommy Lee Jones, and her a cappella performance of the song became a hot topic.
It’s a masterpiece that stirs feelings of homesickness, so give it a listen while thinking of your hometown!
Brother ShipsToba Ichirō
A smash hit by the one and only Ichiro Toba, who’s known for singing about the rugged way of life of cool, stoic men.
The lyrics were written by the master lyricist Tetsuro Hoshino.
Speaking of Hoshino, his songs like Kiyoshi Atsumi’s “It’s Tough Being a Man” and Kiyoko Suizenji’s “March of 365 Steps” have become beloved national favorites.
This song is essentially an anthem for fishermen: men of the sea who head out to fish undaunted by rough waters, even at the risk of their lives.
It’s a track I’d love people who don’t usually listen to enka to hear.
Put it on in the morning on a day when a big challenge awaits—you’ll definitely feel fired up!
Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi
Yoshimi Tendo’s overwhelming vocal power, which is consistently outstanding every time you listen, supports this song.
The “parting of the sea” mentioned in the lyrics is apparently a real phenomenon in an archipelago in southwestern Korea: when the tide goes out, a road connecting villages appears and it has become a tourist attraction.