A roundup of captivating enka female singers in their 50s [2026]

heartShimazu Aya

Aya Shimazu / Kokoro (full ver.)

She debuted in 1986 with “Hakama o Haita Wataridori.” The song she released in 1991, “Aizen Katsura o Mou Ichido,” became a hit, and in 2001 she made her first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In addition, her cover album series “SINGER,” which spans everything from theme songs of musical films to hit tracks by buzzworthy artists, showcases Shimazu’s vocal prowess.

An interesting tidbit: comedian Makita Sports was so moved by Shimazu’s performance on Kōhaku Uta Gassen that the following year, when she appeared on his radio show, he praised her as a “singing monster.”

lingering-regret sakeIshihara Junko

💝Song: Junko Ishihara 🎵 “Miren-zake” 🔴HD 1080p60

When she was in fifth grade, she saw Sayuri Ishikawa perform on TV and dreamed of becoming an enka singer in the future.

She debuted as a singer in 1988, and in 1999 her song Miren-zake, which brightly sings of a tragic love, became a long-running hit.

The following year, 2000, she made her first appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

She is also the eldest daughter of the head of the Ishisui-ryū school of shigin (Japanese recitative poetry), and at the age of 12 she became an assistant instructor.

Later, Ishihara founded a shigin school called Ishisui-ryū Junpūkai.

Her hallmark strong throat and ample vocal power likely stem from this background.

The night is crying.Jinno Mika

Mika Jinno “The Night Is Crying” Music Video

In 1977, she appeared on TV Tokyo’s “Tōzai Chibikko Utamane Taishō,” sang Harumi Miyako’s “Anko Tsubaki wa Koi no Hana,” won the competition, and was scouted by many talent agencies.

She made her debut as a singer in 1984 after graduating from high school.

Known for her outstanding vocal prowess, she has worked across a wide range of genres, performing at rock festivals and even at SXSW, one of the world’s largest music and film festivals.

In the United States, she is said to be called the “ENKA DIVA.” One person commented, “The ‘male songs’ she sings are far more moving than those sung by mediocre men.”

Cape of Late SummerTakigawa Maiko

Maiko Takikawa / Late Summer Cape (Short Ver.)

Maiko Takigawa is from Kyoto, and at age 16 she became the champion at the Nara round of NHK’s “Kachinuki Kayō Tengoku.” She was then scouted by composer Shosuke Ichikawa and made her debut in 1989 with the single “Otokonada.” Her alluring voice and refined presence are captivating.

When you think of enka singers, many of them perform in kimono.

Of course, Ms.

Takigawa is a Kyoto woman who looks wonderful in kimono, but in “Koshū,” the single she released in her 17th year since debut and her first to feature Western clothing, a new side of her appeal shines through.

Osaka Love DropletMizumori Kaori

Kaori Mizumori “Osaka Koishizuku” MV Full Chorus (Release Date: March 18, 2025) [Official]

She debuted as an enka singer in 1995 with “Oshiroi-bana.” The 2003 release “Tottori Sand Dunes” became a major hit, and she also appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Since then, she has performed many songs set in locations across Japan, such as “Kushiro Wetland,” “Kumano Kodo,” and “Hitori Satsuma-ji,” earning her the nickname “Queen of Local Songs.” It’s said that Ms.

Mizumori receives a flood of requests from local governments and others asking her to sing songs related to their hometowns.

In connection with these “local songs,” she has also been appointed as a goodwill or tourism ambassador in many regions nationwide.

Zanza CapeIriyama Akiko

Akiko Iriyama “Zanza Cape (New Version)” Music Video

Akiko Iriyama has an unusual background as a former nurse.

Known as the “singing nurse,” she works under the motto “Songs and nursing, both from the heart.” Her visits to care facilities and her health lectures on YouTube bring to mind a true angel in white.

Her deep, warm voice gently seeps into listeners’ hearts, wrapping them in a sense of reassurance, as if softly rubbing their back.

The expressive power born from facing countless people in medical settings—an ability to stay close to pain—is nothing short of remarkable.

Her voice heals both mind and body, and before you know it, your chest tightens with a moving warmth.

O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi

Fuyumi Sakamoto – Yozakura O-Shichi

Fuyumi Sakamoto is an enka singer born in 1967 from Wakayama Prefecture.

While centered on enka, she sings across a wide range of genres, from kayōkyoku to J-pop.

She swept rookie awards with her 1987 debut single “Abare Daiko,” and broke through the following year with “Iwaizake.” Since then, she has continued to perform as a singer recognized for both popularity and skill, including consecutive appearances on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

She has also pursued cross-genre projects, such as forming the unit HIS with Haruomi Hosono and Kiyoshiro Imawano.

In 2020, she scored another hit with a song written and composed by Keisuke Kuwata, and she remains highly active today.

She is recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone who wants to enjoy a wide variety of music.