[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

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!

[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke – Female Singers Edition (51–60)

Sake InnKouzai Kaori

Kaori Kozai – “Sake no Yado”

Sake InnKouzai Kaori

Released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her debut, Kaori Kozai’s masterpiece “Sake no Yado.” As a recent enka song, it achieved a fairly major hit, so many of you may already know it.

It’s classic, straight-ahead enka, characterized by lyrics that beautifully capture a woman’s bittersweet melancholy.

The vocal line, while slightly wide in range, contains no long sustained notes that require powerful projection, and the use of kobushi (melismatic ornamentation) is kept to a minimum.

With proper key adjustment, the range is accessible for anyone, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

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In conclusion

Even if you’re new to enka and kayōkyoku, you probably found quite a few songs in this playlist that made you think, “I’ve heard this before!” As I mentioned at the beginning, enka is generally a genre that demands advanced technique to sing, but when it’s a song you know, it can be surprisingly comfortable to sing.

Start by picking your favorite from the songs introduced here and give it a try!