![[For Women] Masterpiece Enka Songs with a High Degree of Difficulty](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yGI0QZ4Gk34/hqdefault.jpg)
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)
Boat SongYashiro Aki
A classic enka masterpiece by Aki Yashiro that portrays the bittersweet feelings of a seafaring man.
Released in May 1979, this work was Yashiro’s 28th single and became widely known when she closed out that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
In 1991, it was also used in a commercial song for Sankyo’s digestive medicine, making it beloved across generations.
It’s a recommended number for strong vocalists, but recreating Yashiro’s wistful tone is extremely challenging.
The song demands a wide vocal range from low to high notes and calls for delicate emotional expression, making it a highly difficult piece.
Melancholy WharfMisora Hibari
Rapidly shifting pitches, a deeply emotional vocal delivery, and exquisitely controlled kobushi ornamentation—this song truly embodies the essence of enka.
Released in July 1960 as the B-side to the single “Aishu Hatoba” (“Melancholy Wharf”), it drew attention as a piece that fully showcases Hibari Misora’s vocal prowess.
Its difficulty is well-known, but that’s exactly what makes it worth the challenge.
Sing it at karaoke and you’re sure to earn instant respect.
And when performed by someone rich in life experience, it’s guaranteed to be all the more moving.
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
A masterpiece whose wistful melody and heartrending lyrics resonate deeply.
The lyrics portray a woman recalling a past love as she drinks, a theme that has struck a chord with many and kept the song beloved for years.
Released in January 1979, it was originally a B-side, but its popularity on cable radio led to it becoming the A-side.
It ranked No.
1 on that year’s “The Best Ten” annual chart and also won the 21st Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance.
The song is extremely demanding to sing, requiring rich expressiveness and a wide vocal range.
It’s a perfect piece for testing one’s enka singing ability.
Rhododendron PassAsahna Miho
The song released by Miho Asaka in April 2022 is a masterpiece that captures the hearts of enka fans.
Its melody brims with deep melancholy, and the lyrics poignantly depict a tragic love story between a man and a woman who stake their lives on romance.
With lyrics by Shohei Mozu and composition by Kenji Miyashita, this work was released as Asaka’s fifth single.
Her lustrous voice combined with the expressive power characteristic of enka makes it a track that truly moves listeners.
Vocally, it’s a challenging piece that demands expressive singing filled with emotion and a melody line that spans a wide range from high to low notes.
It’s not a song one can master overnight.
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.
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.
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.