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	People fall in love and compose poems about flowers.Mainosora		Mainosora switches to enka, delivering a moving work.
7	spring stormWakayama Kazusa		A poignant tale of a woman's heart stirred by a spring storm
8	Flower of a hundred yearsKazuki Yumi		Yumi Kazuki, a century-long blossom that resonates with the heart
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	Ephemeral Flowermizuki sayoko		The inner conflict of a heart swayed by a forbidden love
18	Yurushi RiverNagai Miyuki		Miyuki Nagai, an enka song about a heartrending love
19	Seven-colored flowerYūki Saori		Saori Yuki’s heartwarming song brings hope
20	There are various things. I’m a woman.Chō Hoyūki		A song about a woman’s life sung by Naga Hozonoki
21	The rough waves of womenKimu Yonja		The moving life enka of singer Kim Yonja
22	drinking aloneGodai Natsuko		An enka masterpiece that expresses Natsuko Godai’s strength and loneliness
23	Mother of NaniwaNatsuki Ayako		A soul-stirring anthem passed from mother to daughter
24	Four o’clock flowerMizumori Kaori		The appeal of Kaori Mizumori’s debut song
25	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
26	Love BoatKouzai Kaori		A forgotten lipstick rekindles the memory of a romance.
27	selfish; self-centered; willfulMochizuki Ruka		Written and composed by Tetsuya Komuro. A new breeze in enka. Love and waves.
28	Ura-Namba BluesMizuki Kei		Kei Mizuki’s blues enka: a poignant tale of a one-night love
29	As long as life lastsTendō Yoshimi		A masterpiece of enka that sings of life's joys and sorrows
30	Crescent Moon BluesShimakura Chiyoko		I overlaid my life's loneliness onto the crescent moon.
31	A Woman’s Life: Flowers of Sweatkawanaka miyuki		A life-affirming anthem that sings of gratitude and love for one's mother
32	Winter Love FlowerHanasaki Yukimi		The fourth single by Yukimi Hanasaki, richly singing of winter romance.
33	Two FlowersFuji Ayako		A classic enka song portraying a woman who supports the one she loves
34	Crescent Moon Love StoryIshihara Junko		Ishihara Junko’s heartrending love song, an emotionally rich masterpiece
35	diamond dustŌzora Ayumi		Overcoming the pain of heartbreak and stepping into a hopeful spring
36	A Woman’s Love LanternNemoto Noriko		A bittersweet love song that keeps waiting in a rain of tears
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	hay feverIchikawa Yukino		A fusion work of enka and Showa-era kayōkyoku
42	False Forget-me-notIchikawa Yukino		A work depicting the feelings of a woman who abandons Tokyo to start a new life
43	Women’s Idle MusingsKitagawa Yūji		Yuji Kitagawa's emotionally rich adult kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song)
44	Turn me onayano Aya		A poignant song that portrays the loneliness and lingering attachment after a breakup
45	North StationSandai Sayaka		Enka from Hokuriku that portrays poignant partings and lingering feelings
46	A Woman’s Northern JourneySanjō Maya		A song depicting the rain and travel scenes of a northern land
47	night-flowering jasmineOka Midori		A classic song that gently sings of a bittersweet love
48	Love and PeopleNakamura Etsuko		A gemlike ballad that heals the heart, a voice singing of love
49	Husband-and-wife sugorokuKitano Machiko		An enka song that likens a married couple’s life to a sugoroku board game.
50	The end of a romanceŌtsuki Miyako		A story of wavering love and a heartrending farewell
51	The Northern CliffsYamauchi Keisuke		A song of a woman’s wistful heart carried on the sea breeze
52	A Letter from a Cold CountryTokodai Fumiya		A poignant song that weaves thoughts for someone dear
53	silver hairpinAsahna Miho		Miho Asaka’s enka about a heartrending love story
54	Tears of Dead LeavesMatsubara Miho		An emotional ballad depicting the sorrow of a broken heart
55	Rhapsody at MidnightMatsushima Mami		Asami Matsushima’s New Song: Night’s Madness and Love
56	Flowers of MichinokuMizuta Ryūko		Mizuta Ryoko’s new song expressing Tohoku’s scenery and the feelings of love
57	Crimson TearsTsubuki Miyu		A heart-touching song by Miyu Tsubuki that sings of the pain of heartbreak
58	Woman’s ElegyShimizu Setsuko		An emotive song that sings of the pain of heartbreak
59	Lake SaromaAkiyama Ryoko		A classic song that portrays Hokkaido’s nature and a woman’s heart
60	Strait Woman ShipMiko Takekawa		Miyako Takekawa’s moving masterpiece, portraying love
61	Nishijin Women’s ObiAoi Kawori		A moving work by Aoi Kawasato that depicts the spirit of Nishijin weaving.
62	Melancholy PierNomura Mina		Singing of a port town’s scenery and a woman’s heartrending feelings.
63	flower raftTakahashi Kiyoko		A woman’s way of life that goes against the current of the river
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	I’ve been waiting impatiently.Ōishi Madoka		A poignant song by Madoka Oishi about longing for the one she’s waiting for
72	Koitou (Koitome) Coastyamaguchi hiromi		A classic song set on Koi-toi Beach that sings of heartbreak and hope.
73	Woman’s SlopeOka Yuuko		A moving work that sings about the life of Yuko Oka
74	Crimson PrideOkada Shinobu		Shinobu Okada’s new song passionately sings of melancholy and a woman’s heart.
75	Woman’s Nostalgic Song of HomeShima Etsuko		Etsuko Shima: A masterpiece that sings of longing for her hometown
76	Northern Love SongKawano Natsumi		An emotive enka by Natsumi Kawano singing of love in the northern country
77	Hazy MoonMochizuki Ruka		A romantic classic that depicts a hazy moon
78	A Woman’s Path to GloryNagai Yuko		An inspiring song that portrays a woman's emotions and journey
79	Crimson CamelliaOkita Masami		Unrequited love: Okita singing with camellia blossoms
80	Love is a mirageIzumi Gorō		A song depicting the feelings of a woman setting off for Paris.
81	Crybaby Tavern BirdShibuya Yumi		An enka song that sings of a port town woman's heartrending love.
82	TATSUYATanaka Aimi		A shocking new song that portrays the conflicts of maternal love
83	I want to be blown by your wind.Oda Misaho		Misao Oda’s Ballad of Peace and Gratitude
84	Drunken SeagullMizuki Yuu		Yuu Mizuki's enka: a masterpiece that conveys the pain of love
85	Strait Shooting StarMiki Junko		An enka song that entrusts the pain of love to a shooting star
86	Rainy Harbor StationHanasaki Yukimi		An enka song that portrays the poignant feelings of a woman in a port town.
87	I’m pretty, right?Wakayama Kazusa		A new enka song that portrays a woman's heart and love
88	Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo		A poignant enka love song set on the Kuji River
89	Boathouse Inn of SetoNonaka Saori		Saori Nonaka, an enka songstress who sings the pain of love
90	Wet with the foghornChō Hoyūki		An enka song about a melancholy port town from the Chōhō era
91	Shirakami-SanchiNagayama Yōko		Yoko Nagayama’s new song is richly expressive.
92	atonementTeresa Ten		A female singer who enjoys legendary popularity in Taiwan, Tele…
93	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Legendary female singer from Taiwan, Teresa …
94	Tear SongOka Midori		Enka song by Midori Oka depicts loneliness in a winter city
95	Longing for RainYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic song themed around rain
96	I’m drunk.Utsumi Miyuki		The smash-hit song released in 1982 is...
97	Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko		An enka masterpiece that sings of alcohol and love
98	Karatachi DiaryShimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura's classic heartbreak song
99	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Adorable characters and a catchy vocal…
100	Purple Rain SentimentFuji Ayako		Aya Ko representing Wakayama, a female enka singer, Fuji Ayako sa...