Speaking of enka, it’s a genre that demands above-average skill to sing—think distinctive phrasing with strong kobushi (ornamental turns), heavy use of vibrato, and overall exceptional vocal technique, especially for karaoke.
Of course, there are easier songs to sing, but this article compiles classic enka tracks that are particularly challenging to perform.
In addition to the characteristic enka vocal style mentioned at the start, these songs line up as high-difficulty pieces that require strong expressive ability, considering factors like wide vocal range.
This piece introduces masterpieces by female enka singers, but we also feature difficult-to-sing classics by male singers in another article, so be sure to check that out as well.
- [2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
- [2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Male Singers Edition
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- [For Women] Masterpiece Enka Songs with a High Degree of Difficulty
- Women’s Enka: A collection of classic enka songs expressing women’s emotions
- [2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
- [2026] Recent hit enka songs: must-watch popular kayō tracks
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
- 【2026】Recommended Enka by Male Singers with Captivating High Notes
- A roundup of captivating enka female singers in their 50s [2026]
[2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Women Vocalists Edition (1–10)
wintering swallowMori Masako
If you listen to the chorus with its instantly memorable onomatopoeia, many people will feel like they’ve heard it at least once.
Masako Mori’s masterpiece “Etto Tsubame” (Wintering Swallow), highlighted by her beautiful yet slightly wistful high-tone vocals, can be counted among the signature songs of her enka career.
Many in the older generation will fondly remember her winning the Best Vocal Performance at the 25th Japan Record Awards and performing the song at the 34th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
That said, “Etto Tsubame” is, to be honest, quite difficult to sing at karaoke.
The melody, delivered in Mori’s clear voice, is overall very high in key, and the sustained long tones can leave you short of breath until you get used to them.
Although it belongs to the enka genre, it differs from the style that emphasizes strong kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) and heightened passion; instead, it’s better to aim for a straightforward delivery that brings out the song’s bittersweet melody.
If you struggle with high notes, I recommend lowering the key and practicing.
Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri
It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the most famous songs in the enka genre.
Sayuri Ishikawa’s 1986 release “Amagi-goe” won the Gold Prize at the 28th Japan Record Awards, and thanks in part to being performed alternately with her other signature song “Tsugaru Kaikyō Fuyugeshiki” on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it enjoys nationwide recognition and is a perennial karaoke favorite.
That said, as you’ll find if you actually try singing it, it’s not a song you can pull off easily.
It demands techniques characteristic of enka—such as the dramatic rises and falls in pitch that accentuate the contrast between the restrained delivery of the A-melody and the soaring chorus, as well as expansive vibrato and kobushi ornamentation made possible by the leisurely tempo.
Be sure to study the lyrics closely—written in exquisite Japanese and saturated with a fierce lament that vividly portrays a woman’s passion—and try to recreate “Amagi-goe” in your own expressive way!
Jongara Onna-bushiNagayama Yōko
Featuring the boldly spotlighted sound of the Tsugaru shamisen, “Jonkara Onna-bushi” is a quintessential Japanese masterpiece in which elements of traditional music blend superbly with enka, pop, and rock.
Originally debuting as an idol singer, Yoko Nagayama later established herself as an enka artist while continuing to perform a wide range of styles, including pop and kayokyoku—this song is a perfect example of her versatility.
It was a massive hit, with Nagayama herself standing and playing the Tsugaru shamisen as she sings—an incredibly cool sight.
Vocally, however, it’s by no means an easy song: it demands a broad range and poses many technical challenges.
Although it follows the classic enka style, the uptempo beat with pop- and rock-like flavors, as mentioned, may feel particularly difficult for those used to more relaxed enka.
Conversely, if you’re not accustomed to enka vocalization, try approaching it as if you were singing rock, without initially over-focusing on enka-style emotional inflection.
Explore your own take on “Jonkara Onna-bushi” and sing it with full groove and energy!
Silent SlopeKouzai Kaori
Kaori Kozai’s “Mugonzaka,” released in 1993, is a masterpiece of early Heisei-era enka.
It won the Japan Record Award that same year and was performed multiple times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it one of her signature songs.
It’s also known for having lyrics written by Mitsuhiko Kuze under a pseudonym and music composed by none other than Koji Tamaki.
The song is a local ode themed around a slope in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture, Kuze’s hometown, and it’s interesting that Tamaki’s melody feels less like classic, orthodox enka and more urban and polished.
While Kozai makes it sound effortless, it’s actually quite challenging to sing, especially at karaoke.
Beyond its wide vocal range, it demands fine technique, such as carefully threading the words through the A-melody’s rhythm.
If you can master it, your singing level will improve dramatically.
Another key point is to deliver the soaring high notes in the chorus without pushing too hard, maintaining a relaxed tone.
Lake of GrebesOka Midori
Many people might not know how to read the word “鳰の湖” when they see it.
It’s read as “Nio no Umi,” and in fact it’s another name for Lake Biwa.
This song, titled “Nio no Umi,” is the ninth single released in 2018 by popular enka singer Midori Oka.
Some of you may remember it as a late-Heisei enka masterpiece that was performed at the 69th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
It’s a song that demands the high-level vocal ability typical of classic enka, and one point to pay particular attention to is its wide vocal range.
Clearly and distinctly singing the lowest notes that appear in the A-melody can, in a way, be more difficult than hitting high notes, so make that a focus of your practice.
The overall range isn’t extremely high, so by being mindful of the contrast between the low notes and the high notes in the chorus, you can expect to enhance your expressiveness!