[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
In recent years, as Showa-era kayōkyoku has been attracting attention not only in Japan but also overseas, enka—often called the spiritual hometown of the Japanese—has also been drawing keen interest among younger generations.
Enka is a genre that has evolved in many forms, from classic, orthodox styles to songs with a strong kayōkyoku flavor and even pieces that fuse multiple genres, and it continues to enjoy enduring popularity in the Reiwa era.
For those new to enka, this article introduces classic enka masterpieces by female singers that are easy to try at karaoke.
We’ve compiled a lineup of timeless hits that even beginners are likely to know, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out.
By the way, we also introduce a male-singer version in another article, so don’t miss that, either!
- [Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- A roundup of female enka singers in their 70s: voices that evoke nostalgia
- [2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- [For Women] Masterpiece Enka Songs with a High Degree of Difficulty
- 【2026】Difficult Enka Songs to Sing — Women Singers Edition
- [Asian Songstress] A Collection of Teresa Teng’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- Nostalgic enka. A collection of classic enka hits from the Showa era.
[For Beginners] Recommended Classic Enka Songs for Karaoke – Female Singers (1–10)
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi
Here is a classic song that portrays the heartbreak of lost love using cherry blossoms as its theme.
Released as a single by Fuyumi Sakamoto in February 1994, this piece blends elements of enka and kayōkyoku.
Its lyrics evoke lost love through images of cherry blossom blizzards, resonating deeply with the Japanese heart.
After its release, it received high acclaim on the enka and kayōkyoku charts and became one of Sakamoto’s signature songs.
It truly symbolizes spring in Japan, and singing it at karaoke can bring out a strong sense of the season.
The melody is easy to learn, making it a great choice even for those trying enka for the first time.
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari
It was the last single released during Hibari Misora’s lifetime, and among her great discography of songs that have continued to sing to the hearts of the Japanese people, it is one of the most famous masterpieces.
With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto that reflect a view of life, and a beautiful melody by Masaaki Hirao, Hibari’s flawless performance continues to move many people even in the Reiwa era.
Released in January 1989, it became a massive hit, selling over two million copies.
Naturally, it has also been extremely popular for karaoke since its release, and when you actually try singing it, you’ll find the vocal range isn’t all that demanding.
The calm tone of the first verse and the soaring melody of the chorus are easy to remember and should feel good to sing.
Vibrato is certainly a plus if you can do it, but don’t force it—let yourself flow with the melody and focus on clearly pronouncing each word of the lyrics as you sing.
Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri
It’s a song marked by irresistibly moving scenic imagery and a poignant story of parting.
Against the shifting backdrop from the night train departing Ueno to the deck of the Seikan ferry, the delicate emotions of a wavering woman are finely portrayed, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released in January 1977, the song won the Vocal Performance Award at that year’s Japan Record Awards and has long been cherished as one of Sayuri Ishikawa’s signature pieces.
It’s so famous that you’ll recognize it the moment you hear it, making it a perfect challenge for newcomers to enka as well.
By picturing the scenes in the lyrics as you sing, you’ll be able to savor the song’s appeal even more.
[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke – Women Singers (11–20)
Hama Chidori Love StoryKanazawa Akiko
This timeless classic, which depicts a heartrending love story, has long been cherished as one of Akiko Kanazawa’s signature works.
Released as a single in May 1979, it was also used as the ending theme for the period drama Hissatsu Shigotonin.
The lyrics, which echo the sorrow of a woman who has lost her beloved by likening it to plovers dancing along the shore, resonate deeply.
Coupled with Akiko Kanazawa’s emotionally rich vocals, the song leaves a powerful impression on listeners.
It’s a great recommendation for those just getting into enka, featuring a melody line that’s easy to sing at karaoke.
Her singing, which conveys strength within a gentle, subdued mood, is sure to touch your heart.
atonementTeresa Ten
The Showa-era classic “Tsugunai” is a poignant enka masterpiece that sings of tragic love.
Teresa Teng’s clear, translucent voice gently conveys the end of a forbidden romance and her atonement to the one she loves.
The chorus phrase “ai wo tsugunau” (to atone for love) is especially memorable and leaves a deep impression on listeners.
Released in January 1984, the song was also used in a YKKap commercial and became a major hit.
It has a strong kayōkyoku flavor, making it easy to sing and recommended even for those who aren’t yet comfortable with full-on traditional enka.
Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko
It’s a song packed with the spirit of Kansai, with a drifter from Osaka proudly singing about life.
The powerful rhythm incorporates elements of the Kawachi Ondo, and the lyrics overflow with love for the hometown, leaving a strong impression.
It was released as a single in June 1989, and included on an album of the same name in November of the following year.
It gained nationwide popularity, being performed a total of eight times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
In karaoke, getting used to the distinctive phrasing and intonation of the Kawachi dialect might be challenging, but if you enjoy the regionally flavored lyrics as you sing, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
freezing rainHino Mika
This song is a quintessential example of enka, where a catchy melody and emotionally rich lyrics blend beautifully.
Released in December 1982, it remains beloved by many as one of Mika Hino’s signature numbers.
The lyrics, which intertwine the chill of winter rain with the pain of heartbreak, portray a universal theme that anyone can relate to.
Hino, renowned for her vocal prowess, conveys the aching heart of a forlorn love with remarkable expressiveness.
With its relaxed tempo and relatively modest melodic shifts, it’s a song that even beginners to enka will find approachable.
Why not sing it slowly, savoring the lyrics that resonate so deeply?