![[Female Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/YJRST2aoTMM/maxresdefault.webp)
[Female Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Kōhaku Uta Gassen, NHK’s year-end national music program, has been beloved for many years since it began in 1951.
In recent years, the lineup of performers has grown increasingly diverse, reflecting the times.
Still, across the Shōwa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras, many people would say that the singers they simply can’t see out the year without—the true “faces of New Year’s Eve”—are the enka performers.
In this article, we’ve selected female enka singers who have appeared on Kōhaku.
Please enjoy them along with their signature songs!
[Female Singers] New Year’s Eve mainstays! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen (1–10)
You don’t have to go back.Shimazu Aya
Aya Shimazu is an enka singer from Kumamoto Prefecture.
She made her debut in May 1986 with “Hakama o Haita Wataridori” and drew major attention in 1991 with “Aizen Katsura o Mou Ichido.” Known for her overwhelming vocal power, precise pitch, and lustrous tone, she is also celebrated for performances that transcend the boundaries of enka.
Her cover album series “SINGER” has received high acclaim, with “SINGER 5” winning the Planning Award at the 60th Japan Record Awards in 2018.
Thanks to her vocal prowess, she has earned the nickname “Uta Kaijū” (Song Monster), and since her first appearance at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2001, she has performed there multiple times.
Jonkara Onna-bushiNagayama Yōko
Yoko Nagayama is known as a singer who made a brilliant shift from idol pop to enka.
She debuted in the 1980s with a pop-oriented style, and her cover of Venus became a hit that made her name known to a wide audience.
Around the tenth anniversary of her debut, she made a full-fledged transition to enka, establishing her presence in the genre with Higurashi and earning a spot on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Familiar with folk songs since childhood, Nagayama began playing the Tsugaru shamisen around fourth grade.
She holds the Sawada-ryu stage name Sawada Katsuhime and is admired for performing standing while playing the shamisen on stage.
She has also been appointed a Tsugaru Shamisen Ambassador by Goshogawara City in Aomori Prefecture.
River of TimeGodai Natsuko
Born in Shibuya, Tokyo, Natsuko Godai is loved as a “beautiful enka singer” for her elegant kimono appearance and refined beauty.
After several stage-name changes, she re-debuted under her current name in 1987 with the single “Modorigawa,” which became a major hit, selling about 350,000 copies.
The following year, 1988, she won two Best New Artist awards, including the Japan Cable Radio Awards—the first such achievement in the enka world.
In 1990, she made her first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen with “Shinobu Ame.” She married Ryotaro Sugi in 1999, and their dedication to welfare activities as a couple is also admirable.
Noto PeninsulaIshikawa Sayuri
Sayuri Ishikawa made her debut in the early 1970s and has continued a brilliant career in the world of enka and kayōkyoku.
She first appeared on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen at age 19 and, since then, has become a leading figure in the enka world with a record of over 45 appearances.
Her 1986 classic “Amagi-goe” captured many hearts with its profound emotion and heartrending lyrics, and remains one of her signature songs to this day.
She has received numerous awards, including the Japan Record Awards and the Japan Singers Association Grand Prize, and her vocal prowess has not diminished with age, securing her an unshakable place in the enka genre.
With a voice that combines power and delicacy, she is highly recommended for anyone who wants to fully savor the appeal of enka.
Hearts overlappingIchikawa Yukino
Yukino Ichikawa, who debuted in 1993, is a singer specializing in kayōkyoku rooted in enka.
She made her debut with Onna no Matsuri and went on to release hits such as Ichido de Ii Kara.
Although she temporarily suspended her activities in 2002, she made a splendid comeback in 2006 with Kaikyō Deshūn.
She appeared in NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for two consecutive years, 2016 and 2017, and in 2016 moved many people by singing with a letter from her late brother held close to her heart.
Ichikawa’s singing voice is richly expressive and deeply resonant, making her recommended not only for enka fans but also for those seeking warm, family-friendly kayōkyoku to enjoy across generations.
Tottori Sand DunesMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori shines with a commanding presence in Japan’s enka scene.
Since her 1984 debut with “Mizu ni Saku Hana: Shikotsuko e,” she has captivated many fans with travel-themed enka songs that celebrate the charms of regions across Japan, including “Tottori Sakyu” and “Ichibanboshi Mitsuketa.” Her talent is widely recognized; in 2003, she received the Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance.
With her clear voice and refined delivery, Mizumori evokes memories of hometowns and journeys in listeners’ hearts.
She has appeared on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen more than 20 times, truly deserving the title “the face of New Year’s Eve.” She is a highly recommended artist for those seeking comfort in a nostalgic singing voice.
Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimi
Yoshimi Tendo, who reigns as a grand dame of the enka world, was born in Wakayama Prefecture and raised in Osaka.
She debuted in 1972 with “Kaze ga Fuku.” Although her early career struggled, she made a comeback with “Dotonbori Ninjō” in 1985, and from the 1990s onward she scored a string of major hits.
In 1996, she won the Japan Record Award, cementing her status as a top enka singer.
Known for her powerful, emotionally rich vocals, Tendo’s broad style incorporates elements of folk songs and pop.
On stage, she exudes an overwhelming presence that captivates audiences.
In 2022, she celebrated the 50th anniversary of her debut with a commemorative concert tour.
Still active today, her voice truly possesses the presence befitting the “face of New Year’s Eve.”