RAG MusicJapanese Enka
Lovely enka

[2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]

Enka, which is hugely popular at karaoke, includes many classic songs loved across generations, and plenty of people likely keep an enka number as their go-to “showstopper” in their repertoire.

For those already somewhat used to singing enka, we’ve compiled a selection of notoriously difficult songs that are guaranteed to earn you rave reviews if you can pull them off.

The enka genre itself demands advanced vocal technique, but the tracks we’ve chosen here are especially challenging and well worth the effort.

If you’re thinking, “I’m up for it,” we strongly encourage you to give them a try.

This article features songs by female singers, but we also have a separate article covering songs by male singers, so be sure to check that out as well.

Playlist

[2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastBoat SongYashiro Aki
Boat SongYashiro Akiplay_arrow
Aki Yashiro’s classic: an emotionally rich song about a port town
2eastMelancholy WharfMisora Hibari
Melancholy WharfMisora Hibariplay_arrow
Hibari Misora’s classic song “Aishu Hatoba” is a difficult piece.
3eastwintering swallowMori Masako
wintering swallowMori Masakoplay_arrow
Masako Mori’s classic masterpiece that sings of a heartrending love.
4eastSilent SlopeKouzai Kaori
Silent SlopeKouzai Kaoriplay_arrow
Kaori Kozai’s classic song: the bittersweet heart of Japanese love
5eastHazy MoonMochizuki Ruka
Hazy MoonMochizuki Rukaplay_arrow
An adult, heartrending love song sung by Ruka Mochizuki
6eastMichinoku Homesick SongKadamatsu Miyuki
Michinoku Homesick SongKadamatsu Miyukiplay_arrow
A classic enka song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
7eastKaratachi DiaryShimakura Chiyoko
Karatachi DiaryShimakura Chiyokoplay_arrow
Chiyoko Shimakura’s classic, a heart-wrenching singing voice
8eastHappiness is just around the corner…Tendō Yoshimi
Happiness is just around the corner...Tendō Yoshimiplay_arrow
Introducing Yoshimi Tendo’s moving signature songs
9eastTsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri
Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuriplay_arrow
Tsugaru Strait Winter Scene: A classic song of loneliness and farewell
10eastNocturneIchikawa Yukino
NocturneIchikawa Yukinoplay_arrow
Yukino Ichikawa’s challenging piece “Nocturne” — an emotional vocal performance
11eastJonkara Onna-bushiNagayama Yōko
Jonkara Onna-bushiNagayama Yōkoplay_arrow
A masterpiece that fuses Tsugaru shamisen and enka
12eastNostalgic O-kesaMori Konomi
Nostalgic O-kesaMori Konomiplay_arrow
A moving song that sings of one’s hometown and life
13eastTango Namida StationShiina Sachiko
Tango Namida StationShiina Sachikoplay_arrow
Shiina Sachiko’s moving enka masterpiece
14eastCape HyugaMizumori Kaori
Cape HyugaMizumori Kaoriplay_arrow
A touching masterpiece set in Hyuga City by Kaori Mizumori
15eastThe camellia princess has bloomed.Oka Midori
The camellia princess has bloomed.Oka Midoriplay_arrow
Okamido's new song, an emotionally rich masterpiece
16eastFated ShipKumi Iwamoto
Fated Ship Kumizu Iwamotoplay_arrow
A moving song about parting, commemorating the 30th anniversary of their debut
17eastShanshan PeonyGodai Natsuko
Shanshan PeonyGodai Natsukoplay_arrow
Staying true to oneself in Natsuko Godai’s contemporary Japanese kayō songs
18eastWoman… Prelude DanceMisato Satomi
Woman… Prelude DanceMisato Satomiplay_arrow
A song by a woman who moves past her sorrow and looks ahead
19eastYosare Onna-bushiShiina Sachiko
Yosare Onna-bushiShiina Sachikoplay_arrow
A moving enka that portrays the climate of Tsugaru and the theme of love.