[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 Enka Classics for Karaoke – Female Singers (31–40)
Two-person roadFuji Ayako
Released in 2019 as Aya-ko Fuji’s first single of the Reiwa era, “Futarimichi” became a hot topic as a Reiwa-era enka masterpiece, also because it was composed by Norimasa Nakamura, who wrote Fuji’s signature songs “Kokoro-zake” and “Murasaki Ujō.” Sung from a woman’s perspective about a traditional husband-and-wife relationship, Fuji’s characteristically sultry vocals are truly moving.
With its major key and unhurried, classic enka feel, it’s perfect for beginners—give it a try at karaoke.
It’s also ideal for practicing essential enka techniques like kobushi (melismatic scoops) and vibrato!
Purple Rain SentimentFuji Ayako
Here is one of Ayako Fuji’s signature songs and a masterpiece in the history of Japanese enka: “Murasaki Ujō.” Released in 1993, it reached a peak of No.
8 on the Oricon charts and was also performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It has the feel of classic, heart-tugging enka: despite its bright chord progression, there’s a certain wistful atmosphere that evokes a distinctly Japanese sensibility.
True to enka style, the melody moves from a low register in the first half to a high-register chorus, then back down again, finally rising to a soaring high at the end—a quintessential structure.
Fuji delivers a careful, unforced performance, employing the fundamental techniques of enka.
It’s perfect as an introduction to the genre, and if you want to practice ornaments like kobushi and hikkake, definitely give this song a try!
crimsonFuji Ayako
Released in 1996, Ayako Fuji’s single “Beni” (read ‘beni,’ not ‘kurenai’) opens with a line that makes your heart skip a beat.
It’s a classic enka number characteristic of Fuji—expressing the complexities of a woman’s heart with a supple, alluring voice—and a reassuring masterpiece for enka fans.
As a quintessential enka song, it doesn’t feature particularly tricky melodies, so anyone accustomed to singing enka should have no trouble performing it.
Be mindful of the contrast between the leisurely, expansive melodic lines and the more rhythmical sections where the lyrics are slightly packed in, and sing it without forcing yourself.
unlucky flowerFuji Ayako
As the title “Hakyōka” (Unlucky Flower) suggests, this 1998 single features Aya-ko Fuji’s poignant vocals that movingly portray the ill-fated life of a woman heartbroken in love.
Composed by Keisuke Hama—who has created many classics in the history of Japanese kayōkyoku—the melody is in a major key yet refined and tinged with melancholy, which is truly wonderful.
Miyuki Ishimoto’s lyrics, contrasting a flower by the roadside with the protagonist’s life, are also deeply evocative.
While there is a soaring high note in the chorus, there are no intense kobushi (ornamental turns) or heavy vibrato overall, making it relatively simple and easy to sing for an enka song—so it’s a good recommendation for beginners.
Snow FlowerFuji Ayako
Here is “Yuki no Hana,” a collaboration between Ikuzo Yoshi and Ayako Fuji, two luminaries who support the enka world and share the common bond of being from the Tohoku region.
Released as a single in 2024, it marked the first time in nearly 28 years that a song composed by Ikuzo Yoshi was performed by Ayako Fuji.
The dramatic strings heighten the piece, and the quintessentially Yoshi-style, wistful melody pairs perfectly with Fuji’s rich, powerful vocals.
In terms of enka-specific technique, it’s not especially difficult; however, since triplets appear frequently, try to sing with an awareness of making the melody sound smooth.
[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke – Female Singers Edition (41–50)
Love PlatformNagayama Yōko
Released in 1998, “Koi no Platform” is a single by Yoko Nagayama that shines with its simple yet skillful scene-setting and a cleverly evocative title.
It’s a quintessential enka piece, filled with bittersweet feelings for a lover departing for a distant place.
While it may not be among Nagayama’s most widely known songs, it captures the fundamentals of enka technique and features a melody that’s easy for beginners to sing—so I highly recommend giving it a try at karaoke!
Goto Koi TsubakiOka Midori
As the title suggests, Gotō Koi Tsubaki is a so-called “local song” set on the Gotō Islands in Nagasaki, released as a single by Midori Oka in January 2020.
Oka’s rendition, poignantly conveying the lyrics that portray a woman who keeps waiting for the man she loves, is nothing short of masterful.
If you plan to sing Gotō Koi Tsubaki at karaoke—an orthodox enka number steeped in melancholy—you’ll want to at least grasp essential enka techniques like kobushi (ornamental turns).
That said, the melody is relatively approachable even for enka beginners.
Just be careful not to let your voice crack on the brief highest note that appears in the chorus!