[Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 40s: enka artists you can’t afford to miss right now
Enka, a genre that lets you feel the heart and soul of Japan.
Some of you may have encountered it through the grand stage of the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen or via your grandparents.
In this article, we’ll spotlight the appeal of male enka singers in their 40s!
Even if you don’t usually listen to enka, you’ve probably heard the names of singers who have been especially prominent in recent years.
From the legendary Kiyoshi Hikawa to artists taking on bold, genre-defying challenges.
Beyond enka’s classic charms, there are many points that might spark your interest—so we hope you’ll discover those attractions as you read!
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 30s: authentic kayōkyoku brimming with sensual allure
- Roundup of male enka singers in their 50s: masters who are active at the heart of the enka world
- Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]
- Male singers with great voices: a collection of cool, seductive vocals
- [Men] Enka Songs That Can Score High in Karaoke
- Debut song of an enka singer
- [Enka] A feature on male singers in their 60s: enka vocalists whose rugged charm shines
- A male singer with exceptional vocal skills: a powerhouse performer who captivates with volume, technique, and expressiveness.
- [Male Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- Karaoke songs for men in their 40s: a curated selection of hit tracks women want to hear!
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 20s. Glamorous charm.
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 70s: legendary vocalists who support the enka world
[Enka] Special Feature on Male Singers in Their 40s: Enka Singers You Can’t Miss Right Now (1–10)
Motherly bondedoarudo
Edoardo is an enka singer from São Paulo, Brazil.
He has an impressive track record, having won the Prime Minister’s Award at the 26th Japan Popular Music Festival National Competition and the Newcomer Award at the 49th Japan Cable Radio Awards.
Even with his Japanese roots, it’s simply remarkable for a foreign artist to achieve such accomplishments in enka.
His greatest appeal is, above all, his beautiful vocal quality.
Like many Brazilian singers, he’s known for a powerful, high register with strong vocal presence, and his kobushi (vocal ornamentation) is executed superbly.
Nambu Semi-shigureFukuda Kouhei
Kohei Fukuda, who debuted as a singer in 2012, began studying folk music at 23 under the influence of his father, a folk singer, and went on to win numerous national folk song competitions.
He made a striking debut with his first single, “Nanbu Semi Shigure,” showcasing the overwhelming vocal power honed through folk singing; the following year, he won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and made his first appearance on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
As expected, his strong, soaring vocals are the hallmark of a singer with folk roots.
As an aside, Fukuda, who was born in Iwate Prefecture, is also known for his hilarious, full-on Tohoku dialect banter during concerts.
marine snowjero
Jero, an enka singer from the United States, made a name for himself in Japan.
He debuted in 2008 and set many records.
His debut single “Umi YukI (Ocean Snow)” entered the Oricon overall singles chart at No.
4, making him the first-ever rookie solo singer in the enka/kayōkyoku genre to break into the top 10.
He won Best New Artist at numerous music awards, including Best Hit Kayōsai, the Japan Cable Awards, and the Japan Record Awards, and he also performed at the 59th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
His music—praised for lyrics that evoke vivid scenes and a sound that is gentle yet powerful—is recommended for those who want to feel the spirit and soul of Japan through enka.
[Enka] Special Feature on Male Singers in Their 40s: Enka Singers You Can't Miss Right Now (11–20)
Rain on the Isesaki LineOtsuka Kotaro
Let me introduce Koji Otsuka, an enka singer from Tochigi Prefecture.
If you live in the northern Kanto region, you may have seen him on television.
He made his major debut in 2004 with “Jo / Meakashi Juheiji.” His debut single was immediately selected for the Kokoro no Uta concert.
Since then, he has continued to be active, including an appearance at the Gunma Senior Kayou Grand Prix with his 2011 release “Shiawase Hanabi.” His style varies greatly from song to song, so I recommend listening to several tracks.
Fairy Tale of LoveIchikawa Takashi
Takashi Ichikawa is a singer from Setana, Setana District, Hokkaido.
He also performs under the stage name “Shiikawa,” under which he is active as a singer-songwriter.
Many of his songs are rooted in enka and kayōkyoku, and he won the Prime Minister’s Award at the 2000 Japan Popular Music Festival.
In 2006, he took the Grand Prix in the auditions for the radio program “Hashire! Kayōkyoku.” His greatest charm is, above all, his sultry, alluring voice.
Because he usually sings kayōkyoku and pop, his vocal style also features elements not typically found in conventional enka.
white cloverkoori kenta
Kenta Koori is another enka singer to keep an eye on.
He’s also known for his unusual background as a former nursery school teacher.
Early on, he reportedly entered various karaoke competitions while working his day job.
His big break came when he won Fukushima TV’s “Tetsuya Gen’s FTV Karaoke Grand Prix,” which led to his debut.
He has remained active, including being appointed a Yoko-zakura Goodwill Ambassador in 2014.
To appreciate his appeal, I recommend the DVD released in 2023 to mark his 15th anniversary, “15th Anniversary MV Collection ~Utogokoro~,” which covers his past works.
Woman and RiverNidaime Ibuki Toshio
Shiga Prefecture is proud to have enka singer Toshio Ibuki II.
Influenced by his grandmother, he developed an interest in enka from a young age.
As a university student, he started his music career under the name “Takeuchi the Singer,” even appearing on NHK’s Nodo Jiman.
He later became a disciple of Toshio Ibuki I, succeeded to the stage name in 2018, and continues to perform today.
To start, check out his debut single, “Onna to Kawa” (Woman and River).
As an aside, Toshio Ibuki II also spent a period working as a drummer.