[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!

Playlist

[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaori		A signature song by Kaori Kozai, an enka ballad depicting the pain of unrequited love.
2	abandonedNagayama Yōko		A classic enka song that portrays the sorrow of lost love
3	Longing for RainYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s classic song themed around rain
4	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s Life-Praising Enka Pop
5	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		A bittersweet breakup story from Sayuri Ishikawa’s signature songs
6	O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi		A representative enka song by Fuyumi Sakamoto that portrays heartbreak
7	The person I fell in love withMiyako Harumi		Harumi Miyako’s Showa-era kayōkyoku masterpieces
8	Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimi		A smash hit song that portrays Osaka’s warmth and humanity, set in Dotonbori
9	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s classic song, a performance that resonates in the heart.
10	Keiko’s Dream Opens at NightFuji Keiko		Introducing Keiko Fuji’s classic Showa-era enka masterpieces
11	As I am in love…Akimoto Junko		A husky-voiced classic becomes an unusual hit
12	atonementTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s classic masterpiece of tragic-love enka
13	Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko		A powerful Kawachi Ondo song packed with the spirit of Kansai
14	freezing rainHino Mika		A quintessential enka song depicting heartbreak and winter rain
15	Hama Chidori Love StoryKanazawa Akiko		Kanazawa Akiko’s poignant love classic
16	Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimi		Yoshimi Tendo’s cheerful hit song “Anta no Hanamichi”
17	Come back.Matsumura Kazuko		Kazuko Matsumura’s representative work of rock-style enka
18	Life waits for no one.Moriyama Aiko		Aiko Morikawa’s classic, an easy, upbeat cheer song
19	TATSUYATanaka Aimi		Tanaka Aimi’s powerful vocal ability and expressiveness
20	I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi		A classic song by Fuyumi Sakamoto that has deepened in love over many years
21	Festival MamboMisora Hibari		A classic hit by Hibari Misora. It’s easy to sing and really gets the crowd going.
22	I’ve fallen for you.Ishihara Junko		Ishihara Junko’s debut song “Horemashita”
23	From Kyoto to HakataTanaka Aimi		An enka-style song with captivating low-frequency overtones
24	Don’t scold me.Tanaka Aimi		Enka songs that are easy for Aimi Tanaka to sing
25	Ishikari ElegyTanaka Aimi		Aimi Tanaka’s enka “Ishikari Banka” is authentic enka that captivates with fundamental vocal prowess.
26	Farewell SongIchikawa Yukino		Nagori Uta is a Showa-era kayō-style enka song
27	evening primroseIchikawa Yukino		Sing with attention to dynamics in an emotional song
28	Coral AnthologyIchikawa Yukino		Low technical difficulty and easy to sing for enka songs
29	hay feverIchikawa Yukino		A fusion work of enka and Showa-era kayōkyoku
30	I miss you.Ichikawa Yukino		An emotional enka by Yukino Ichikawa, a classic hit
31	False Forget-me-notIchikawa Yukino		A work depicting the feelings of a woman who abandons Tokyo to start a new life
32	Echigo Love StoryKobayashi Sachiko		Echigo Jōwa is a famous enka masterpiece by Sachiko Kobayashi.
33	Where is your hometown?Teresa Ten		Enka-style kayōkyoku by Teresa Teng
34	Premonition of PartingTeresa Ten		“Premonition of Parting” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
35	snow-cappedTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng Enka song “Yuki Gesho”
36	Two-person roadFuji Ayako		Fujii Ayako’s first Reiwa-era single, “Futari Michi” (“The Two of Us’ Path”)
37	Purple Rain SentimentFuji Ayako		The Appeal of Aya Fuses Classic Song “Murasaki Ujō”
38	crimsonFuji Ayako		Ayako Fuji’s classic enka “Kurenai”
39	unlucky flowerFuji Ayako		Fumi Ayako’s 1998 single that sings of a heartbroken woman’s life
40	Snow FlowerFuji Ayako		The enka song in which Ikuzo Yoshi and Aya Fukuda co-starred
41	Love PlatformNagayama Yōko		A classic enka song depicting a breakup with a lover
42	Goto Koi TsubakiOka Midori		A local song set in the Goto Islands that Midori Oka released in January 2020
43	Forgetfulness SakeNakamura Mitsuko		Mitsuko Nakamura’s “Wasure-zake” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
44	evening drinkNakamura Mitsuko		Mitsuko Nakamura’s classic “Banshaku,” a masterpiece of men’s songs.
45	Tearful LoveYashiro Aki		Characteristics of Aki Yashiro’s early work “Namida Koi”
46	perchKobayashi Sachiko		How to sing Sachiko Kobayashi’s classic song “Tomarigi”
47	Let me stay for the night.Kobayashi Sachiko		The allure of Sachiko Kobayashi’s classic Showa-era kayōkyoku songs
48	Love SakuraKobayashi Sachiko		Enka masterpieces by Sachiko Kobayashi featuring traditional Japanese instruments
49	You made me cry, you bastard.Kobayashi Sachiko		An enka song released in 1982 with lyrics by Tetsurō Hoshino
50	snow camelliaKobayashi Sachiko		Introduction to Sachiko Kobayashi’s signature song “Yukitsubaki”
51	Unrequited LoveHattori Hiroko		Hiroko Hattori’s classic: from a sultry opening to a grand, soaring chorus
52	Live with youIshihara Junko		A vocal piece by Junko Ishihara. It uses relatively little kobushi (melismatic ornamentation) and is low in difficulty.
53	Red MoonIshihara Junko		Vocal Technique Analysis of Junko Ishihara’s Masterpiece “Akai Tsuki” (Red Moon)
54	human dramaIshikawa Sayuri		Sayuri Ishikawa's 2003 single
55	Daphne (winter daphne)Ishikawa Sayuri		Characteristics and Appeal of Sayuri Ishikawa’s 1977 Release
56	channel markerKouzai Kaori		Introducing Kaori Kozai’s melancholic song “Mio-tsukushi.”
57	Sake InnKouzai Kaori		Kaori Kozai’s classic “Sake no Yado” is an easy-to-sing enka song.