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 mature romance (41–50)
hidden innSUGITA Atsushi
This is a song that portrays a mature love that resonates deeply in the heart.
It tells a poignant story of a man and woman nurturing their love away from prying eyes, sung over a gentle, subdued melody.
Their secret meetings at a hideaway-like inn, and the way their relationship comes to an end while leaving behind painful rumors and lingering regrets, are expressed through lyrics that truly hit home.
Jun Sugita’s tender vocals add even more depth to this wistful world.
Released in September 2024, the song has firmly captured the hearts of enka fans.
It’s a piece I especially recommend to those who have experienced parting from someone dear or who carry a bittersweet love in their hearts.
Yokohama Bay AreaIwaide Kazuya
A medium-tempo enka that gives voice to a mature romance.
This song by Kazuya Iwade was released in April 2025.
The urban atmosphere woven by guitar and strings blends beautifully with the poignantly tinged vocals.
Set against the backdrop of nighttime Yokohama, the lyrics portray the love story of a man and a woman.
It’s a perfect companion for late-night drives, and a song we especially hope those who have experienced a parting with someone dear will take to heart.
Rhapsody at MidnightMatsushima Mami
This song showcases a new side of Mami Matsushima, whose gently enveloping vocals are her signature charm.
It’s a danceable, mysteriously tinged kayōkyoku track released in November 2024.
The poetic lyrics, themed around the stillness and madness of the night, leave a strong impression, conjuring the image of a woman possessed by love.
You can sense both inner strength and a fragile, ephemeral beauty.
This passionate, dramatic piece might be the perfect companion for a nighttime drive.
Crimson TearsTsubuki Miyu
A heartrending song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.
Miyu Tsubuki’s powerful yet delicate vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
The lyrics depict the complex emotions of a woman wavering between love for her partner and despair.
The imagery of overlapping tears and crimson lipstick is striking, vividly expressing the universal sorrow of love.
Released as a single in November 2024, this work is recommended for those who have lost someone precious or who harbor a bittersweet longing.
Why not let Miyu Tsubuki’s voice soothe you as you face the feelings deep within your heart?
I’ve been waiting impatiently.Ōishi Madoka
Madoka Oishi’s first single in about two years is a masterpiece that portrays a bittersweet love.
The feelings of a woman waiting for her loved one are beautifully expressed in an enka song with a folk flavor.
Created through her first collaboration in 23 years with Makoto Sugimoto, the piece features a simple yet deeply emotive melody.
Released in October 2024, it quickly became a hot topic among fans.
The lyrics by Yuji Hoshikawa and arrangement by Kazutoyo Sato further enhance the song’s appeal.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to on quiet nights, at dusk, or while waiting for someone special—one that offers a comforting warmth that stays close to your heart.
Tsugaru Love WomanNiinuma Kenji
Kenji Niinuma’s “Tsugaru Koibito,” released in 1987, is a deeply poignant love song.
Set against the harsh winter scenery of Tsugaru, this piece, which portrays single-minded devotion, holds a special place in his musical career.
“Tsugaru Koibito” resonates with those who have parted from a loved one or thrown themselves into a bittersweet romance.
Niinuma’s voice gently seeps into the listener’s heart, beautifully expressing the feelings of someone in love alongside Tsugaru’s snowy landscapes.
It can be described as enka that conveys the profound emotions of being human.
Alone on the shoreChiba Kazuo
This is a single by Enka veteran Kazuo Chiba, slated for release in April 2025.
With an emotionally rich melody, it beautifully captures the poignant feelings of recalling a past love on a twilight shore.
The lyrics by Hajime Ryū and the composition crafted by Kaoru Hanagasa are a perfect match, resulting in a work that truly resonates with listeners.
It’s a gem of a track for those who relate to the subtleties of life and the ache of bittersweet love, and for anyone seeking Enka that speaks directly to the heart.