[For Women] Masterpiece Enka Songs with a High Degree of Difficulty
When you see someone at karaoke masterfully singing enka with powerful vibrato, even an untrained ear thinks, “Wow, this person is a great singer.”
The enka genre fundamentally demands high vocal skill and expressive ability, so it’s difficult to pull off unless you’re at least somewhat confident in your singing.
In this article, we’ve researched challenging, higher-difficulty enka songs that we hope those already somewhat familiar with the genre will try, compiling classic tracks by female vocalists.
We’re featuring not only universally known hits but also excellent songs released in recent years, so be sure to check them out!
By the way, we’ve also published a separate article for songs by male singers, so don’t miss that one either.
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
- [Female Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- [2026] Active in the enka and kayō world! A roundup of beautiful enka singers
- A roundup of leading female enka singers representing the Showa era
- [Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
- Queen of Enka: A roundup of Aki Yashiro’s easy-to-sing songs
- [2026] Enka’s Seventh Generation! A roundup of young enka singers
- [Treasure of Powerful Enka] Takashi Hosokawa’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
- [People・Songs・Heart] A Collection of Miyuki Kawanaka’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026]
- [Asian Songstress] A Collection of Teresa Teng’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
[For Women] Masterpieces of Enka with High Difficulty (1–10)
Cape TachimachiMori Masako
It’s a classic song set on the Sea of Japan that poignantly portrays a woman who continues to wait for her beloved.
Masako Mori’s clear, deeply expressive singing resonates profoundly with listeners.
Released in August 1982 as Mori’s 39th single, the song won the Grand Prize at the Masao Koga Memorial Music Awards.
It was also performed at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen at the end of the same year, earning widespread affection.
While upholding the traditions of enka, the song features a melodious quality reminiscent of kayōkyoku, highlighted by Mori’s transparent, luminous voice.
It’s a demanding piece that calls for a wide vocal range and delicate expressiveness, but by all means, give it a try.
Tear SongOka Midori
Midori Oka once performed in an idol group, but she chose the path of an enka singer and is now highly acclaimed as a regular on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
This work is a song that portrays the feelings of a lonely woman set against the backdrop of a winter city.
Its fragile, melancholic lyrics pair perfectly with Oka’s voice, which blends strength and delicacy.
You’ll be moved by the heartrending yet richly emotive melody that stands in stark contrast to the coldness of urban life.
Demanding a wide vocal range and nuanced expression, this piece showcases Oka’s skills to the fullest.
It’s packed with the charm she has cultivated through a steadily built enka career, and it’s also a great choice for those who want to try it at karaoke.
Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimi
When it comes to songs where Yoshimi Tendo’s voice stirs the soul, this is the one.
Released in January 2002, this moving piece portrays a man who overcomes life’s hardships to follow his own path, and the love of the woman who supports him.
It demands powerful vocals, a wide range, and delicate expressiveness, making it difficult to master even for those familiar with enka.
It has been performed multiple times on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen and is cherished by many as one of Tendo’s signature songs.
Karatachi DiaryShimakura Chiyoko
A gem of a classic by Chiyoko Shimakura, delivered with heartfelt emotion.
Released in 1958, this song is characterized by lyrics that vividly depict the pain of heartbreak and loneliness, paired with a melody that stirs poignant feelings.
With lyrics by Sawayaka Nishizawa and music by Shinichi Yoneda, the piece showcases Shimakura’s full vocal and expressive prowess.
The spoken interludes woven into the lyrics and the mid-song shift to a minor key are among the elements that resonate deeply with listeners.
Cherished for decades as a Showa-era masterpiece and featured in television dramas, this work may be a bit challenging—but do give it a try.
Michinoku Homesick SongKadamatsu Miyuki
The debut song of Miyuki Kadomatsu, who is gaining attention as a rising star in the enka world, is a homesick-themed piece set in the Tohoku region.
Its lyrics powerfully yet delicately portray the feelings of a woman who has left her hometown to strive in the big city, seamlessly fused with Kadomatsu’s dynamic vocals.
Released in February 2019, this track marked her major-label debut with Nippon Columbia and showcased her talents to the world.
Her singing—spanning a wide vocal range and rich emotional expression—carries the tradition of enka while bringing a fresh breeze, making it quite challenging to tackle in karaoke.