[2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
This may seem sudden, but do you ever sing enka at karaoke?
As you know, enka is a uniquely Japanese genre that has enjoyed steadfast popularity since the Showa era, and it’s very popular at karaoke, too.
These days, enka is attracting attention not only from older listeners but also from younger audiences.
Still, many people may feel, “I want to try singing it at karaoke, but it seems difficult…”
In this article, we introduce classic enka songs by female singers that are relatively simple and easy to sing, even though many enka numbers are technically challenging.
We’ve also covered easy enka recommendations for male singers in another article, so be sure to check that out as well!
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- 【2026】Difficult Enka Songs to Sing — Women Singers Edition
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs Recommended for Karaoke – Male Singers Edition
- [2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
- [Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- [2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
- [2026] Recent hit enka songs: must-watch popular kayō tracks
- Enka songs that are easy for men to sing: a roundup of tracks to try at karaoke
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- [Enka First Year] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Yoko Nagayama [2026]
[2026] Easy Enka Songs Recommended for Karaoke – Women Singers (61–70)
Harbor Pier DrizzleIshikawa Sayuri
The single song “Hatoba Shigure,” released in 1985, is a local tune set at Tonosho Port on Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture.
It became a milestone masterpiece that marked Ishikawa’s transition into a mature enka singer, winning the 27th Japan Record Award and being performed at the 36th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, following life experiences such as marriage and the birth of her first daughter.
A commemorative monument was erected in 1992 in Tonosho Town, Shōzu District, Kagawa Prefecture, and in 2012 a monument honoring Osamu Yoshioka, who wrote the lyrics, was also built on Shodoshima.
Hugely popular in karaoke, the song exudes the classic, heartfelt feel of traditional enka, and those accustomed to singing enka should be able to handle it with ease.
As the song builds, the pitch gradually rises, then drops to a deep note before climbing again.
Take your time and sing carefully to avoid going off pitch as the melody intensifies!
To the Land of FireIshikawa Sayuri
For Sayuri Ishikawa, who hails from Kumamoto Prefecture, this is truly a classic local song that lets her triumphantly return home in glory! Released in 1978, “Hi no Kuni e” is a Kumamoto-themed song set against Mt.
Aso, and Ishikawa even performed it at that year’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.
It’s hard to believe she had just turned 20 at the time—her powerful vocals are truly compelling.
Of course, it’s also very popular for karaoke, but “Hi no Kuni e,” created by the golden duo of Yu Aku and Takashi Miki—icons of the Showa era—blends enka elements with a strong kayokyoku flavor, so you can approach it with a classic Showa pop sensibility.
Feel the so-called 8-beat swing (hachiroku) rhythm, and try singing with careful, crisp articulation of each syllable in the lyrics.
regret; lingering attachment; reluctance to let goFuji Ayako
It’s a quintessential Fuji Ayako-style masterpiece of classic enka: a bright melody tinged with a certain melancholy, paired with lyrics that carry considerable weight.
True to the title, Fuji’s lustrous, assured vocals carefully give voice to lingering feelings for the one who abandoned her, striking a perfect balance—neither too heavy nor overly dramatic.
While it covers the full range of enka techniques, the difficulty isn’t that high, making it approachable even for beginners to the genre.
Definitely give it a try at karaoke.
A Woman’s True HeartFuji Ayako
Although it’s in a major key with a bright feel, the way it sings about a fairly heavy-hearted woman’s feelings is quintessentially classic enka, which is great, isn’t it? “Onna no Magokoro” is a single released in 1999 by Ayako Fuji, and it’s a superb masterpiece featuring her characteristically sultry yet refined vocals and melody.
As I mentioned at the start, it’s orthodox enka, so anyone reasonably used to singing enka should be able to handle it without trouble, and it seems like a good practice song for beginners as well.
Of course, techniques like kobushi are important, and while the high notes in the chorus get attention, the low notes in the A melody might actually be a bit difficult for those who struggle with lower registers.
Still, try practicing repeatedly, articulating the lyrics clearly and aiming to bring out a seductive nuance like Fuji-san’s!
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.
Shitamachi GinzaNagayama Yōko
It’s a bright, major-key enka number and a modern classic of the Reiwa era, briskly portraying the pure-hearted feelings of a woman harboring a faint crush in a downtown setting.
Released in 2021 as a single by Yoko Nagayama, it’s also very popular for karaoke.
Although it’s a Reiwa-era release, the lyrics vividly evoke the nostalgic scenery of the Showa period, and Nagayama’s gentle, tender delivery is truly wonderful.
If you often sing Nagayama’s enka, this song should be quite manageable, and the characteristic kobushi ornamentation associated with her style isn’t overly difficult, making it a good practice piece even for beginners to enka.
One note: the opening of the A-melody can be a bit tricky pitch-wise; nailing that part sets the tone for the whole song, so be sure to focus on it when you sing!
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!