Women’s Enka: A collection of classic enka songs expressing women’s emotions

Lyrics that bare the heart just as it is are one of enka’s greatest appeals, aren’t they?

We’ve been moved by many such lyrics, touched to the core, and found support through the empathy they offer.

In this article, we’ll introduce famous enka songs that particularly express women’s emotions.

Whether they sing of love or portray women’s ways of life, you’re sure to find songs that resonate with your heart.

Be sure to read the lyrics as you listen to each track.

Playlist

Women’s Enka: A collection of classic enka songs expressing women’s emotions
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	A Love Like Ephemeral LightSakishima Jun		Jun Sakishima's lyrical love songs
2	The port town thereafterShiina Sachiko		Sachiko Shiina 25th Anniversary Debut Classic Enka
3	spare keyIwa Misaki		Iwasaki Misaki’s new song is a poignant ballad with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto.
4	Romance ExpressKoikawa Iroha		Showa love ballads delivered by a dancing enka singer
5	Woman of the Echigo RoadYajima Akiyo		Akuyo Yajima, a singer of folk songs and enka
6	Flower of a hundred yearsKazuki Yumi		Yumi Kazuki, a century-long blossom that resonates with the heart
7	spring stormWakayama Kazusa		A poignant tale of a woman's heart stirred by a spring storm
8	People fall in love and compose poems about flowers.Mainosora		Mainosora switches to enka, delivering a moving work.
9	Crimson (beni)Yoshinaga Kayoko		Kayoko Yoshinaga covers Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic song
10	Secret Love AnthologyShiono Kaori		Kaori Shiono’s moving work in her 15th year
11	lip service; idealistic talk; sugarcoatingOka Yuuko		Yuko Oka’s enka single that sings of a woman’s heart
12	moored boatMifune Kazuko		In the 60th year since their debut, a heart-wrenching enka about unrequited love is born.
13	Woman in a Late Autumn DrizzleNakayama Rumi		Rumi Nakayama’s poignant enka: the pain of love
14	Cape of Tearful Homesick WindsOkada Shinobu		Shinobu Okada’s Moving Song of Longing for Her Hometown
15	Genroku Cherry Blossom Viewing DanceArimori Natsuka		A classic Japanese-style rock song sung by Natsukasa Arimori
16	Tsugaru Kaze PortTakemura Kozue		Kozue Takemura’s passionate enka with a strong rock flavor
17	drinking aloneGodai Natsuko		An enka masterpiece that expresses Natsuko Godai’s strength and loneliness
18	Four o’clock flowerMizumori Kaori		The appeal of Kaori Mizumori’s debut song
19	Love BoatKouzai Kaori		A forgotten lipstick rekindles the memory of a romance.
20	Ephemeral Flowermizuki sayoko		The inner conflict of a heart swayed by a forbidden love
21	Yurushi RiverNagai Miyuki		Miyuki Nagai, an enka song about a heartrending love
22	Seven-colored flowerYūki Saori		Saori Yuki’s heartwarming song brings hope
23	There are various things. I’m a woman.Chō Hoyūki		A song about a woman’s life sung by Naga Hozonoki
24	Two FlowersFuji Ayako		A classic enka song portraying a woman who supports the one she loves
25	diamond dustŌzora Ayumi		Overcoming the pain of heartbreak and stepping into a hopeful spring
26	A Woman’s Love LanternNemoto Noriko		A bittersweet love song that keeps waiting in a rain of tears
27	The rough waves of womenKimu Yonja		The moving life enka of singer Kim Yonja
28	Mother of NaniwaNatsuki Ayako		A soul-stirring anthem passed from mother to daughter
29	Rainy Night WineFuji Ayako		An enka song expressing a woman’s aching feelings as she thinks of the lover who left on a rainy night
30	selfish; self-centered; willfulMochizuki Ruka		Written and composed by Tetsuya Komuro. A new breeze in enka. Love and waves.
31	Ura-Namba BluesMizuki Kei		Kei Mizuki’s blues enka: a poignant tale of a one-night love
32	As long as life lastsTendō Yoshimi		A masterpiece of enka that sings of life's joys and sorrows
33	Crescent Moon BluesShimakura Chiyoko		I overlaid my life's loneliness onto the crescent moon.
34	A Woman’s Life: Flowers of Sweatkawanaka miyuki		A life-affirming anthem that sings of gratitude and love for one's mother
35	Winter Love FlowerHanasaki Yukimi		The fourth single by Yukimi Hanasaki, richly singing of winter romance.
36	Crescent Moon Love StoryIshihara Junko		Ishihara Junko’s heartrending love song, an emotionally rich masterpiece
37	Maze of a WomanSatō Masaki		A moving song that portrays the conflicts of love
38	A person of… memory/trace (omokage)en satsuki		Sing about the poignant feelings of a love that has passed
39	Seagull of the HeartAkimoto Junko		Junko Akimoto’s powerful lyrics and tone
40	Woman… Prelude DanceMisato Satomi		A song by a woman who moves past her sorrow and looks ahead
41	Women’s Idle MusingsKitagawa Yūji		Yuji Kitagawa's emotionally rich adult kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song)
42	I’ve been waiting impatiently.Ōishi Madoka		A poignant song by Madoka Oishi about longing for the one she’s waiting for
43	Love and PeopleNakamura Etsuko		A gemlike ballad that heals the heart, a voice singing of love
44	North StationSandai Sayaka		Enka from Hokuriku that portrays poignant partings and lingering feelings
45	Crybaby Tavern BirdShibuya Yumi		An enka song that sings of a port town woman's heartrending love.
46	A Woman’s Northern JourneySanjō Maya		A song depicting the rain and travel scenes of a northern land
47	Woman’s ElegyShimizu Setsuko		An emotive song that sings of the pain of heartbreak
48	Strait Woman ShipMiko Takekawa		Miyako Takekawa’s moving masterpiece, portraying love
49	flower raftTakahashi Kiyoko		A woman’s way of life that goes against the current of the river
50	Turn me onayano Aya		A poignant song that portrays the loneliness and lingering attachment after a breakup
51	night-flowering jasmineOka Midori		A classic song that gently sings of a bittersweet love
52	Husband-and-wife sugorokuKitano Machiko		An enka song that likens a married couple’s life to a sugoroku board game.
53	The end of a romanceŌtsuki Miyako		A story of wavering love and a heartrending farewell
54	The Northern CliffsYamauchi Keisuke		A song of a woman’s wistful heart carried on the sea breeze
55	A Letter from a Cold CountryTokodai Fumiya		A poignant song that weaves thoughts for someone dear
56	silver hairpinAsahna Miho		Miho Asaka’s enka about a heartrending love story
57	Tears of Dead LeavesMatsubara Miho		An emotional ballad depicting the sorrow of a broken heart
58	Rhapsody at MidnightMatsushima Mami		Asami Matsushima’s New Song: Night’s Madness and Love
59	Flowers of MichinokuMizuta Ryūko		Mizuta Ryoko’s new song expressing Tohoku’s scenery and the feelings of love
60	Crimson TearsTsubuki Miyu		A heart-touching song by Miyu Tsubuki that sings of the pain of heartbreak
61	Lake SaromaAkiyama Ryoko		A classic song that portrays Hokkaido’s nature and a woman’s heart
62	Nishijin Women’s ObiAoi Kawori		A moving work by Aoi Kawasato that depicts the spirit of Nishijin weaving.
63	Melancholy PierNomura Mina		Singing of a port town’s scenery and a woman’s heartrending feelings.
64	Butterflies Crossing the SeaKimu Yonja		A bittersweet love song like a butterfly crossing the sea
65	Osaka RainMikado Tadaji		Mikado Chuji’s rain songs express parting and Osaka.
66	Genkai ElegyNakayama Rumi		A melancholic love enka sung in a seaside town
67	A Woman’s VicissitudesNakagawa Kyomi		Kyomi Nakagawa: A Song of a Woman Facing Adversity
68	Crescent Moon and the Red BridgeIsogawa Yuki		Ureshino Onsen: A Love Story Crossing the Moonlit Bridge
69	Because I’m a loner girl.Kayama Akio		Kayama Akio’s masterpiece that sings of the melancholy of love
70	Snow ElegyShiono Kaori		Passion in the snow: Kaori Shiono’s powerful love song
71	Koitou (Koitome) Coastyamaguchi hiromi		A classic song set on Koi-toi Beach that sings of heartbreak and hope.
72	Woman’s SlopeOka Yuuko		A moving work that sings about the life of Yuko Oka
73	Crimson PrideOkada Shinobu		Shinobu Okada’s new song passionately sings of melancholy and a woman’s heart.
74	Woman’s Nostalgic Song of HomeShima Etsuko		Etsuko Shima: A masterpiece that sings of longing for her hometown
75	Northern Love SongKawano Natsumi		An emotive enka by Natsumi Kawano singing of love in the northern country
76	Hazy MoonMochizuki Ruka		A romantic classic that depicts a hazy moon
77	A Woman’s Path to GloryNagai Yuko		An inspiring song that portrays a woman's emotions and journey
78	Crimson CamelliaOkita Masami		Unrequited love: Okita singing with camellia blossoms
79	Love is a mirageIzumi Gorō		A song depicting the feelings of a woman setting off for Paris.
80	TATSUYATanaka Aimi		A shocking new song that portrays the conflicts of maternal love
81	I want to be blown by your wind.Oda Misaho		Misao Oda’s Ballad of Peace and Gratitude
82	Drunken SeagullMizuki Yuu		Yuu Mizuki's enka: a masterpiece that conveys the pain of love
83	Strait Shooting StarMiki Junko		An enka song that entrusts the pain of love to a shooting star
84	Rainy Harbor StationHanasaki Yukimi		An enka song that portrays the poignant feelings of a woman in a port town.
85	I’m pretty, right?Wakayama Kazusa		A new enka song that portrays a woman's heart and love
86	Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo		A poignant enka love song set on the Kuji River
87	Boathouse Inn of SetoNonaka Saori		Saori Nonaka, an enka songstress who sings the pain of love
88	Wet with the foghornChō Hoyūki		An enka song about a melancholy port town from the Chōhō era
89	Shirakami-SanchiNagayama Yōko		Yoko Nagayama’s new song is richly expressive.
90	Premonition of PartingTeresa Ten		“Premonition of Parting” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
91	Tear SongOka Midori		Midori Oka, a masterpiece that gently sings of women's loneliness
92	snowflowerGodai Natsuko		A song in which a daughter sings of her love and respect for her mother
93	atonementTeresa Ten		A female singer who enjoys legendary popularity in Taiwan, Tele…
94	Longing for RainYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic song themed around rain
95	Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko		An enka masterpiece that sings of alcohol and love
96	Karatachi DiaryShimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura's classic heartbreak song
97	Cape TachimachiMori Masako		Masako Mori's famous song, an enka set on the Sea of Japan
98	Heart SakeFuji Ayako		A work that depicts romantic love between men and women and natural emotions
99	The person I fell in love withMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s Showa-era kayōkyoku masterpieces
100	abandonedNagayama Yōko		A classic enka song that portrays the sorrow of lost love