A collection of classic enka masterpieces about love: songs that depict the nuances of mature romance.
Among popular enka songs, there are truly so many that depict romance.
What’s more, many of them portray mature love stories, and they’re full of such passion that just listening can make your chest ache.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of classic enka masterpieces themed around love.
We’ll cover famous songs everyone knows, but when you revisit the lyrics, you’ll undoubtedly be moved by the profound love woven into them.
I hope you’ll listen to the songs below while reading along with the lyrics.
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Masterpieces of enka songs about love. A collection of tracks depicting adult romances (81–90)
drizzling rainKouzai Kaori
Like a gently falling rain, this song delicately depicts feelings for a lost love.
Kaori Kozai’s rich, lustrous voice vividly brings the heartrending scenes to life.
Released in June 2024, it beautifully harmonizes lyrics by Koyomi Asa with music by Tetsuya Gen.
Through the image of a woman standing alone in a back-alley izakaya, it expresses the bittersweet heart of adult love, tightening the chest.
It’s perfect for listening alone on a rainy day or as background music while reminiscing about someone dear.
You’re sure to find something that resonates in your heart.
Nagasaki SentimentGodai Shou
This is a song by Sho Godai that captivates with an emotionally rich vocal performance.
It was released in May 2024 as his third single.
A heartrending love story set in Nagasaki grips the heart.
As you picture scenes like Hollander Slope and Maria’s Bells and empathize with the protagonist’s complex feelings, you may find your tears welling up.
The struggle between lingering attachment to the past and the urge to move forward is woven through Godai’s deep, lustrous voice.
The carefully crafted lyrics and melody exude the dignified presence of classic Showa-era kayōkyoku.
It’s a perfect track for moments when you want to touch the subtleties of life.
Terminal Station of LoveYashiro Aki
Aki Yashiro’s “Ai no Shūchakueki,” released in 1977, paints the scenery of a heartrending romance and has captured the hearts of many fans.
The song conveys a deep sense of melancholy and emotion for a lost love.
Yashiro’s warm yet powerful vocals further heighten the piece’s emotional resonance.
It’s especially recommended for those who can’t forget a former lover or who feel nostalgic about a past romance.
Aki Yashiro’s expressive singing and the touching melody are sure to be a comforting presence to your heart.
I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi
Fuyumi Sakamoto’s “Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru” is a song released on January 7, 2009, delicately portraying deep love and longing.
It became widely known after being featured in the commercial for Sanwa Shurui Co., Ltd.’s iichiko.
The song has also remained a favorite, consistently ranking high in karaoke charts.
With its straightforward expression of love, it’s recommended not only as a love song but also as an encouraging anthem for those who value human connections and wish to live cherishing their ties with others.
The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku
Eisaku Okawa’s signature song “Sazanka no Yado,” released in 1982, has remained a timeless classic beloved by many.
The song centers on the theme of an affair, and the complex, profound emotions embedded in the lyrics pierce the listener’s heart.
The opening image of wiping a fogged-up window symbolizes the uncertainty of the future and a poignant sense of sorrow, drawing you into the story’s world.
It’s an enka ballad that seeps into the soul—one you’ll want to savor alone on a quiet, long night.
perchKobayashi Sachiko
Sachiko Kobayashi’s 1980 single “Tomarigi” is a masterpiece that portrays a heartrending love.
The song captures loneliness and the fragility of love in a symbolic way, deeply stirring the listener’s heart.
Kobayashi’s brilliant vocals carry a fervent longing for a lost love, embodying the true allure of enka.
For those who have experienced a love that, despite mutual affection, had to end, it will evoke a special resonance.
It’s a classic that’s perfect both for singing at karaoke and for listening to quietly on your own.
Enka masterpieces that sing of love. A collection of songs depicting adult romance (91–100)
I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira
Released in 1975 by Akira Kobayashi, “Mukashi no Namae de Deteimasu” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate across generations.
Kobayashi’s rich expressiveness and heartfelt vocals engrave the song’s world deeply in the listener’s mind.
Woven into the piece are lingering attachments to the past and complex romantic emotions.
Through the story of a woman who goes by different names in different places, it conveys both the depth and the ache of love.
It’s perfect for a passionate karaoke performance, but also highly recommended for quiet, reflective nights.
You’re sure to sense a bittersweet form of love that everyone carries in their heart.