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.

Playlist

An enka song about the Sea of Japan. A collection of famous songs themed around the great ocean.
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Flowers and SamuraiMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama shows his full charm with rock enka!
2	Cape KamuiHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa sings about the scenery of his hometown.
3	The Sea of Japan where love weepsMatsubara Takeshi		Takeshi Matsubara sings Nihonkai Koika (Japan Sea Love Song)
4	Gion Shirakawa Evening Cherry BlossomsKitaoka Hiroshi		A mature love story set against Kyoto’s nighttime cherry blossoms
5	Shimotsui Otaki Madakana BridgeNakamura Mitsuko		An enka song about a geisha’s love in a Kitamaebune port town
6	Kurashiki River Long SongNakamura Mitsuko		An enka piece that sings of the sorrow of parting, set against the white-walled streets along the Kurashiki River.
7	Kurashiki RiverHarada Yuuri		A farewell enka set in Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter
8	Tsugaru Kaze PortTakemura Kozue		Kozue Takemura’s passionate enka with a strong rock flavor
9	Elegy of the PierKanō Tatsuya		Tatsuya Kano releases his first “otokouta” single in 7 years
10	Showa-era manToba Ichirō		The way of life of a Showa-era man as sung by Ichiro Toba
11	Migratory Birds of HarimaSakamoto Fuyumi		A poignant masterpiece by Fuyumi Sakamoto that longs for her hometown
12	Shigure Moon in KinosakiŌe Yutaka		An enka song set in Kinosaki Onsen that laments lingering attachment after a farewell.
13	Kinosaki Love SongHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa’s famous ballad set in Kinosaki Onsen
14	The Wind of a Hundred YearsTerashima Erika		Erika Terashima’s debut song singing about her hometown, Hokkaido.
15	Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo		A poignant enka love song set on the Kuji River
16	Shima PeninsulaToba Ichirō		Ichiro Toba’s locally rooted enka
17	Drift Ice Missing PersonMiki Junko		A moving work by Junko Miki that depicts the scenery and sentiments of the northern provinces.
18	The Crows of TsukubaMinami Haruo		An emotionally rich local song by Haruo Minami set in Ibaraki
19	Ah, Mito RōshiKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s famous song that sings of the spirit of the Mito rōshi (Mito loyalist samurai)
20	Matsuyama AirportHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa sings of love and nostalgia set against the backdrop of Matsuyama Airport
21	Sada Misaki (Cape Sada)Toba Ichirō		A classic that celebrates the pride of the fishermen of Sada Misaki
22	Oga PeninsulaKitayama Takeshi		Takashi Kitayama’s quintessential enka hit set in Akita
23	Kinokawa (Kii River)Sakamoto Fuyumi		A song that portrays the bond of three generations passed down from mother to daughter
24	The Great Cedar of SugiMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama delivers a life-affirming enka song filled with respect for his hometown.
25	Yosakoi enkaKaneda Tatsue		Tatsue Kaneda passionately sings the soul of Tosa in a Yosakoi enka style
26	Tosa manKagami Goro		Goro Kagami’s “Tosa no Otoko” is an enka song that expresses the landscapes and gritty spirit of Tosa.
27	Tokachi Autumn and WinterŌe Yutaka		A heartwarming work, the second installment in the Hokkaido series
28	diamond dustŌzora Ayumi		Overcoming the pain of heartbreak and stepping into a hopeful spring
29	Izu ShowerKitagawa Yūji		Yuji Kitagawa sings about the pain of heartbreak set in Izu
30	Secret FireflyNagai Miyuki		Miyuki Nagai’s enka song that overlays fireflies with feelings of love
31	Itako LullabyMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako's song 'Itako Scenery'
32	Kunisaki PeninsulaKitajima Saburō		Saburō Kitajima sings of his hometown and his mother, set against the backdrop of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Ōita Prefecture.
33	Kunisaki PeninsulaMatsumae Hiroko		A lyrical enka of the Kunisaki Peninsula sung by Hiroko Matsumae
34	Shiranui Love TaleYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic song that sings of her love for Kumamoto
35	Yagoshi CapeMatsumae Hiroko		A famous song by Hiroko Matsumae that sings of longing for her hometown
36	Miyuki’s Atami Ondokawanaka miyuki		Atami 100th Anniversary: A Bon-odori song brimming with local love
37	Kegon FallsAoi Kawori		A moving enka song inspired by Kegon Falls
38	Genkai ShibukiIkeda Teruo		An enka song portraying the melancholy and pride of a man of the sea
39	Tanegashima Kamone OndoTendō Yoshimi		Introduction to the famous song depicting Tanegashima by Yoshimi Tendo
40	I remembered my hometown.Niinuma Kenji		Kenji Niinuma's new song singing of love for his hometown
41	Homesick Love Songfujimachiko		An enka song of poignant feelings after losing love
42	Biwako ShigureMifune Kazuko		A tragic love song depicting the scenery of Lake Biwa and feelings of farewell
43	White Seaasukamisako		Asuka Misako’s Japan Sea Heartbreak Song
44	Life Dream Voyagetsuge yuuji		Yuji Tsuge’s enka that portrays a man’s resolve and courage
45	Shonai Plaintachibana keiko		A song of heartbreak and hope drawn in the Shonai Plain
46	Kamuro-zaka in the chill of cherry-blossom seasonNahomi		An enka piece that weaves a wistful love on a cherry-blossom-dancing slope
47	Calm or stormIchijō Kanta		A powerful song that portrays the life of a sea fisherman
48	The northern city, HakodateKitagawa Daisuke		Expressing a port town love story in Showa-era kayōkyoku
49	Naniwa SpiritSakamoto Fuyumi		Depicting positivity with a powerful new song themed around Osaka
50	Tsugaru Shamisen StorySaisei		An enka song that sings of the pride of the Tsugaru shamisen and feelings for one’s hometown
51	A Melancholy Road on the Shimokita PeninsulaMatsubara Nobue		Nobue Matsubara passionately sings the soul of Mutsu
52	Flowers of MichinokuMizuta Ryūko		Mizuta Ryoko’s new song expressing Tohoku’s scenery and the feelings of love
53	Michinoku Pure Love SongHayama Mizuki		Mizuki Hayama’s enka expresses pure love against the backdrop of her hometown scenery.
54	large fishing boatKitajima Saburō		A song by Saburo Kitajima about the soul and pride of fishermen
55	When I turn around, it’s YokohamaSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto covers classic songs to express love and parting
56	Esashi: Oiwake, Town of WindŌkawa Eisaku		Eisaku Okawa’s signature song Esashi Oiwake: Windy Town
57	Koitou (Koitome) Coastyamaguchi hiromi		An enka song of heartbreak and hope set on the Koitoi Coast
58	Cape TappiShimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s “Tappi Misaki” is an unforgettable masterpiece.
59	Guts ShipShimazu Aya		A masterpiece depicting familial love set against the northern seas
60	Echizen Capekawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s “Echizen Misaki” is a masterpiece that captures the pain of unrequited love.
61	Woman Large Fishing BoatKawano Natsumi		The powerful singing voice and life of a woman in a fishing port
62	Tsugaru Love WomanNiinuma Kenji		Kenji Niinuma's signature song “Tsugaru Koionna”
63	Northern Sea Men’s ShipKihara Takeshi		A tale of a fisherman's life and love as he faces the rough seas
64	Yugiri PortMori Konomi		Singing of a bittersweet love in a foggy harbor town
65	Fishermen’s Fire Love SongMatsumae Hiroko		Masumae Hiroko 55th Debut Anniversary Song
66	Kanazawa Nostalgia Song 2024Matsubara Takeshi		An enka classic is being remade with Kanazawa as its theme
67	Tottori Sand DunesMizumori Kaori		Tottori Sand Dunes, sung by Kaori Mizumori, is a classic song themed around lost love.
68	Ban-etsu West Line Tsugawa StationNagai Miyuki		Enka masterpieces themed on the Banetsu West Line
69	New Soma Love SongNumazaki Shūichi		A moving song that sings of a fisherman's pride and love
70	Reiwa ElegyShimizu Setsuko		Setsuko Shimizu’s powerful enka resonates in the heart.
71	The Northern Ship of SuccessFukuda Kouhei		Kohei Fukuda’s enka that portrays the sea and the spirit of fishermen
72	TakumiFukuda Kouhei		An enka song about a man who forges his path through sweat and effort.
73	Hokkaido Fisherman’s SongSora Daiki		A powerful song that sings of the life of fishermen
74	Night in AtamiHakozaki Shinichiro		Shinichiro Hakozaki Debut Song: Night in Atami
75	Man BoatHosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa 50th Anniversary of Artistic Career Enka
76	Otaru CanalMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s vocal ability was reappraised at the Otaru Canal.
77	Shirakami-SanchiNagayama Yōko		An enka song created in homage to the Shirakami-Sanchi
78	Enka BoatToba Ichirō		Fishermen’s Lives and the Sea as Depicted in Ichiro Toba’s Enka
79	Ama divers of TobaToba Ichirō		A warm song portraying an ama diver’s pride and love for her family
80	marine snowjero		Love and passion poured into the sea, Jero’s signature song
81	Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi		Introduction to Hisashi Itsuki’s signature work, Nagaragawa Enka
82	Blues of the DawnItsuki Hiroshi		Increase in TV enka programs, gaining popularity with an aging population
83	festivalKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s “Matsuri” is a masterpiece that depicts Japanese festivals.
84	Woman of TakayamaŌe Yutaka		Oe Hiroshi’s Fleeting Love Song of the Hida Road
85	SpotlightYamauchi Keisuke		Young enka singers will carry the next generation of enka.
86	soft, blessed rainShimazu Etsuko		The pain of heartbreak, the sorrow of the Sea of Japan
87	The last singer of the Showa eraNitta Akihiro		A classic by Koya Nitta that sings of the melancholy of the Showa era
88	We’re number one in Japan!sakura yumi		A timeless masterpiece brimming with the spirit of Japanese tradition, sung by Yumi Sakura
89	Igossō CurrentShiina Sachiko		A classic song depicting the blessings of the sea and the life of fishermen
90	Sanriku ElegyMizumori Kaori		Kaori Mizumori sings about the wife of a Sanriku fisherman.
91	sea dragonTayama Hiroshi		A classic song that sings of a seafaring man's passion and determination
92	Harbor Pier DrizzleIshikawa Sayuri		The spoken prelude in enka is a craftsman’s art and pleasing to the ear.
93	Strait Shooting StarMiki Junko		An enka ballad that sings of bittersweet feelings for a cherished person
94	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s manly song “Funauta” — its overwhelming allure
95	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Cape Erimo, the famous song passionately sung by Shinichi Mori
96	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Sayuri Ishikawa’s classic song “Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene”
97	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		Ichirō Toba, who sings about the way of life of a cool, stoic man
98	Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi		Yoshimi Tendo is incredibly consistent every time I listen to her...
99	Ishikari ElegyKitahara Mirei		Though called an elegy, what a powerful song it is…
100	The sky of TokyoKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima, an 88-year-old, sings a song of gratitude