A roundup of 40-something female enka singers with captivating voices
Japan is full of a wide variety of music, from pop to rock, but when it comes to music that represents the country, it has to be enka.
There are many passionate songs that resonate with the heart—nostalgic tunes that evoke memories of one’s hometown, and dramatic pieces that feel like watching a TV drama or a movie.
In this article, we’ll introduce female enka singers in their 40s from among the many artists who perform enka.
Please take your time to enjoy the voices of these women in their 40s, who embody both youthful energy and mature allure!
A roundup of female enka singers in their 40s with captivating voices (1–10)
Shiosai MinatoShiina Sachiko
The gold standard of party games: UNO.
It’s no exaggeration to say almost every household has this card game.
You can play with as few as two people, but the more players, the livelier it gets.
Deal seven cards to each player and place the remaining cards face down in a pile in the center.
Draw one card from the pile and turn it face up to start the discard pile.
Players then take turns placing cards that match the number, color, or symbol of the top card.
When you’re down to one card, call “UNO,” and the first player to run out of cards wins.
hay feverIchikawa Yukino
She made her debut as a singer in 1993.
She studied under the composer Shosuke Ichikawa, and it’s said that she received the surname “Ichikawa” from him.
In contrast to her singing style—often sorrowful and at times brimming with passionate emotion—Ichikawa’s gentle personality and the gap with her true self, widely loved by people of all ages, are part of her charm.
In 2016, she made her first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen with the hit song “Kokoro Kasanete.” The music video for her 2019 single “Yukirenka” has surpassed 2 million views, an astonishing figure in the enka world.
Osaka sparrowNagai Miyuki
Enka singer Miyuki Nagai, from Kishiwada City in Osaka Prefecture.
She won the Grand Prix at the 6th Kansai Enka Awards in 1989, moved to Tokyo in 1990, and became an apprentice to lyricist Takashi Taka.
Two years later, in 1992, she made her debut at age 16 with “Osaka Suzume” on Sony Records.
Her greatest appeal is, above all, a singing voice that evokes the charm of the Showa era.
She has a distinctive tone—familiar and warm, like listening through an old TV filter.
Be sure to check her out.
Wish Cherry BlossomOosawa Momoko
Momoko Osawa is an enka singer from Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture who is well known to the public.
She’s famous as a disciple of Mitsuyo Asaka.
While she enjoys idol-like popularity thanks to her charming looks, she also has solid vocal ability.
Although she isn’t what you’d call an “enka elite,” she has steadily improved her singing with each step of her career and has gained support across a wide range of generations.
Her voice is uplifting, so if you’re feeling down, be sure to check out her songs.
Tragic Love on the Nagara RiverŌshiro Banesa
Vanesa Oshiro is an enka singer with a unique background: she hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A second-generation Japanese Argentine, she won the NHK Nodo Jiman Argentina contest held in October 2001 and made her debut two years later.
She speaks excellent Japanese, and the fact that a singer from overseas was performing authentic enka generated a lot of buzz at the time.
Her greatest appeal is her expressiveness—she captivates with a deep emotional delivery reminiscent of Argentine tango.
If you like enka singers with a touch of melancholy, be sure to check her out.
Once again from the city of KyotoMizuta Ryūko
Ryuko Mizuta is an enka singer from Asahikawa, Hokkaido.
In 1992, when she was a first-year high school student, she appeared on NHK Nodo Jiman and drew public attention by winning that year’s Grand Champion title.
She later made her debut in 1994 with Tosa no Onna-bushi on King Records.
Her greatest charm is, without a doubt, her sultry singing voice.
The sensuality in her vocals perfectly matches her beautiful looks and immerses you in the world of each song.
She also has great power in her voice, so be sure to check out her live performances as well.
Longing for YamagaYamamoto Miyuki
Miyuki Yamamoto is an enka singer from Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture.
She made her debut in 1997 under the name Sakura Sakura with the song “Ai wa Hitori Shibai,” and since 2004 she has been performing under her current stage name, Miyuki Yamamoto.
She’s also known as one of Sony’s beautiful enka singers, following Natsuko Godai, Aya Shimazu, and Junko Ishihara.
Her greatest charm is, above all, her warm, rich voice.
She has a mature, sultry tone that belies her forties.
Her mood-filled songs have earned high praise, so be sure to check them out.