[Glamorously Cool] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Ayako Fuji [2026]
Speaking of Ayako Fuji, she’s known as a grand dame of enka, who scored a massive hit in 1992 with Kokoro-zake, showcasing her rich, lustrous vocals honed through folk singing.
In recent years, her beloved cats Maru-chan and Oreo-chan have gone viral on social media, spreading her name even to generations unfamiliar with her work as an enka singer.
Under alternate names she also writes and composes, and she keeps taking on new challenges, like releasing a photo book at 60.
The famous songs she’s performed are must-sings for anyone interested in enka.
While many are quite difficult, this time we’ve gathered relatively easy-to-sing tracks, so beginners should find them helpful too.
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- Tokyo Desert: A Collection of Kiyoshi Maekawa’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026]
- [Mysterious Enka] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Midori Oka [2026]
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[Glamorously Cool] A Compilation of Aya Ko Fujii’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026] (1–10)
Heart SakeFuji Ayako
Kokoro-zake is not only Aya Fuzuki’s biggest hit and signature song, but also one of the most representative enka hits released in the Heisei era.
Released in 1992 as Fuzuki’s third single, it sold over one million copies in total and secured her first appearance on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
As a quintessential enka number about alcohol and a woman’s heart, many people who regularly sing enka at karaoke have probably sung it at least once.
While it thoroughly covers the fundamental techniques of enka, the overall pitch is on the higher side with a wide vocal range, making it somewhat challenging.
That said, the melody is extremely easy to remember, as you’d expect from a major hit.
Start by singing it comfortably, and then gradually fine-tune the details as you go.
Two-person roadFuji Ayako
Released in 2019 as Aya-ko Fuji’s first single of the Reiwa era, “Futarimichi” became a hot topic as a Reiwa-era enka masterpiece, also because it was composed by Norimasa Nakamura, who wrote Fuji’s signature songs “Kokoro-zake” and “Murasaki Ujō.” Sung from a woman’s perspective about a traditional husband-and-wife relationship, Fuji’s characteristically sultry vocals are truly moving.
With its major key and unhurried, classic enka feel, it’s perfect for beginners—give it a try at karaoke.
It’s also ideal for practicing essential enka techniques like kobushi (melismatic scoops) and vibrato!
Snow FlowerFuji Ayako
Here is “Yuki no Hana,” a collaboration between Ikuzo Yoshi and Ayako Fuji, two luminaries who support the enka world and share the common bond of being from the Tohoku region.
Released as a single in 2024, it marked the first time in nearly 28 years that a song composed by Ikuzo Yoshi was performed by Ayako Fuji.
The dramatic strings heighten the piece, and the quintessentially Yoshi-style, wistful melody pairs perfectly with Fuji’s rich, powerful vocals.
In terms of enka-specific technique, it’s not especially difficult; however, since triplets appear frequently, try to sing with an awareness of making the melody sound smooth.
Snow WastelandFuji Ayako
Fujii Ayako has several classic songs themed around snow, such as “Yuki Shimbin” and “Yuki no Hana,” and this “Yuki Koya” is one of them.
With lyrics of grand scale that depict the landscapes and seasons of Echigo, and a beautifully bittersweet melody by Keisuke Hama, Fujii delivers a commanding vocal performance.
The standout feature of this piece is the folk-song-style section incorporated midway through.
You can enjoy a vocal approach unique to Fujii, who comes from a folk background, but to be honest, it’s very difficult if you’re not used to that style of singing.
Since the overall melody is relatively easy to sing, it’s a good idea to listen to the original repeatedly and try to imitate the folk-style section as you practice.
birdFuji Ayako
Ayako Fuji is strongly associated with kimono, so many people may have been surprised to see this music video where she drives a Roadster herself in a trench coat and sunglasses.
This song, “Tori” (Bird), is a cover of a classic by Kosetsu Minami, released in 2022, and it drew attention because Minami himself produced it.
Fuji’s performance is truly wonderful: she virtually sets aside enka-style techniques and, against a poignant, melancholic backdrop of elegant strings and acoustic guitar, delivers a restrained and delicate vocal.
It’s the kind of song that demands expressiveness more than technical prowess, yet the melody line is quite singable, making it approachable even for newcomers to enka.