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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Enka masterpieces that sing of love. A collection of songs depicting adult romance (91–100)
A street corner in loveYamauchi Keisuke
The prince of the enka world, Keisuke Yamauchi, released his single “Koisuru Machikado” on October 1, 2008.
This song richly portrays love stories unfolding across various regions of Japan.
By depicting the moments people fall in love against the backdrop of local scenery and everyday life, it invites listeners’ empathy.
A defining feature of the track is that, while it follows the traditional enka style, it also weaves in contemporary views on romance.
That blend makes it feel familiar and conveys the diversity of love.
Love Letter BookmarkYamaguchi Noriko
This is a kayōkyoku song that weaves a bittersweet, nostalgic love.
It’s Noriko Yamaguchi’s new single, released in October 2024.
Using a letter as its motif, the lyrics skillfully capture the emotions of looking back on a lost love.
Fūko Sunagawa’s words and Wataru Arakawa’s composition are a perfect match, and Yamaguchi’s emotive vocals resonate deeply.
The nostalgic melody evokes a sense of longing that seems lost in the digital age.
It’s a gem you’ll want to listen to on a quiet night while thinking of someone dear.
The coupling track also offers a gentle, soothing tone that brings a sense of calm.
Crimson PrideOkada Shinobu
A song that richly portrays the heart of a woman shattered by love.
The lyrics are striking, offering a glimpse of the “woman’s pride” that is a hallmark of enka.
Shinobu Okada’s deep, resonant voice conveys the complex emotions with remarkable realism.
Released in October 2024, it perfectly suits the autumn season—its poignant melancholy pairs beautifully with the crimson foliage.
It’s reportedly popular at karaoke as well.
Highly recommended not only for those troubled by love, but also for anyone who wants to empathize with the feelings of a mature woman.
Listened to in the calm of night, it seems to sink even deeper into the heart.
Love Song of the WaterfallKumi Iwamoto
A heart-stirring song woven from majestic nature and a bittersweet love.
Released in October 2024 to commemorate Komi Iwamoto’s 30th anniversary debut, it captivates with its powerful vocals and poetic lyrics.
The kobushi-inflected singing resonates pleasantly, and the inclusion of kouta elements lends both allure and depth.
The lyrics, expressing the sorrow of heartbreak and timeless emotions, are sure to strike a deep chord with listeners.
Against the backdrop of grand natural scenery, a poignant love story unfolds.
It’s the perfect piece for reminiscing about love or when you’re in the mood for an enka that truly sinks into the heart.
Sad LipstickShinkawa Megumi
This is a melancholy love song that entrusts a woman’s aching feelings to red lipstick.
Megumi Shinkawa’s delicate vocals beautifully convey the pain of heartbreak and the sense of loneliness.
Released in May 2024, the song boasts a stellar team: lyrics by Chisato Sakura and composition by Tetsuya Gen.
Every time tears cause her makeup to run, she applies it again—her strength and fragility press upon the heart.
It’s a song that stands beside those burdened by heartbreak or weary from love.
An adult enka piece you’ll want to listen to on a quiet night with a glass in hand.
Strait Shooting StarMiki Junko
A heart-tugging song that paints a poignant love, it seeps into the soul.
Junko Miki’s vocals richly convey the feelings of the protagonist, who stands on a cape and entrusts a wish to the stars.
Released in May 2024, the track is striking for its lyrics that chronicle longing for a lover now far away.
The emotion of thinking about someone separated by a strait resonates deeply with listeners.
Junko Miki was reportedly so moved at the release-commemoration live performance that she shed tears.
It’s a song you’ll want to play while driving along the coast or on nights when you’re thinking of someone special.
Rainy Harbor StationHanasaki Yukimi
A song that portrays the poignant scenery of a port town was released in June 2024 as Yukimi Hanasaki’s first new single in about a year and a half.
The feelings of a woman reluctant to part at a rainy station are beautifully conveyed through her rich, expressive vocals.
While preserving the charm of traditional enka, the piece also embraces a modern sensibility, making it enjoyable for listeners of all ages.
It’s a perfect track for the rainy season.
This work lets you fully savor the tender allure of enka, so please take your time and listen closely.