![[Japan’s Best Vocalist] Fukuda Kohei’s Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/fxDvhhwHT6E/maxresdefault.webp)
[Japan’s Best Vocalist] Fukuda Kohei’s Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs
Kohei Fukuda is an enka singer who boasts top-tier vocal ability in today’s enka scene.
He has won numerous major enka and folk song competitions, including the 25th Japan Folk Song Festival, and is highly acclaimed by composers and fellow singers as someone who should carry the future of Japanese enka.
Many of his songs are high in difficulty to showcase that level of skill, but this time we’ve picked out some of Kohei Fukuda’s tracks that are relatively easy to sing!
That said, since these are songs by Kohei Fukuda—often cited as one of the top three in Japan—you’ll still need at least intermediate-level ability.
Be sure to find the songs that fit you best!
[Japan’s Best Vocalist] Kohei Fukuda’s Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs (1–10)
Shadow of RainFukuda Kouhei
This “Ame no Kagebōshi” is the coupling track to Kohei Fukuda’s 2023 single “Tenkū no Shiro.” It’s a classic enka gem featuring a romantically wistful guitar tone and evoking the image of a man swayed by lingering feelings for a woman he parted with.
While Fukuda is known for his folk-song-honed vocal technique and powerful projection, “Ame no Kagebōshi” is crafted as a relatively simple enka number in both sound and melody.
His characteristic singing style—where the pitch rises and falls within long sustained notes—is kept restrained, making it fairly approachable for anyone who has a grasp of basic enka techniques.
There are no extreme high notes either, so even those who feel uneasy with high registers should definitely give it a try.
Sake for a Tearful Send-offFukuda Kouhei
Kohei Fukuda’s songs are all known for their formidable difficulty.
Among them, “Namida no Otachizake” is on the easier side within his enka repertoire and can be sung without issue by intermediate singers approaching the advanced level.
The song is relatively easy to sing because it has many rests and a slow tempo.
While the vocal range is quite wide and a folk-song (min’yō) section appears partway through—making it considerably more challenging than typical enka—those familiar with min’yō likely won’t find it especially difficult.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Drunken SongFukuda Kouhei
Kohei Fukuda’s original songs are all strongly imbued with the essence of folk music, making them difficult to sing well.
That’s why I recommend “Suika” (“Drunken Song”).
This piece is a renowned masterpiece by the well-known enka singer-songwriter Ikuzo Yoshi.
Because the original has a very simple structure, even though this is a cover by Kohei Fukuda, it ends up with a melody that’s very easy to sing.
The vocal range is narrow and there are few kobushi (ornamental turns), so even beginners should be able to sing this one.
Be sure to add it to your repertoire.
Men’s Festival SongFukuda Kouhei
The men’s song “Otoko no Matsuri Uta” is notable for its bright, upbeat feel.
While Kohei Fukuda’s men’s songs are generally characterized by very serious and powerful melodies, this piece is crafted with a cheerful and fun atmosphere.
As a result, the vocal range is set wider than typical enka; however, the vocal line has fewer dramatic rises and falls compared to many of Kohei Fukuda’s songs.
Because there are many long sustained notes, being mindful of taking a breath before starting each phrase will make it sound better—please use that as a reference.
My dear best friendFukuda Kouhei
This is a poignant masterpiece by Kohei Fukuda, whose searing guitar intro stirs the heart.
Released on January 1, 2024, “Dear Friend” is a coupling track to the single “Shonai Shigure-zake,” yet it still received a music video and drew attention as a rare kayōkyoku-style song in Fukuda’s discography.
While Fukuda’s overwhelming vocal prowess—honed through min’yō (traditional folk singing)—is fully on display here as well, he delivers a performance consciously tailored to the kayōkyoku genre, using almost no kobushi vocal ornamentation, making it one of the most singable songs in his catalog.
After taking in the lyrics, which passionately and warmly express feelings toward a close friend, be sure to give it your all at karaoke.
Tsugaru YearningFukuda Kouhei
Kohei Fukuda, who is also skilled in Tsugaru folk songs.
When he sings about the familiar Tsugaru, it feels like his emotions are especially deeply expressed, doesn’t it? This piece is a very peaceful and beautiful work that portrays the scenery of Tsugaru.
Among Kohei Fukuda’s songs, this one is particularly easy to sing, characterized by a relaxed tempo and a vocal line with gentle contours.
That said, it does include some moderately difficult kobushi (ornamental turns), so an intermediate or higher skill level is essentially required.
If you’re accustomed to enka, be sure to add it to your repertoire.
The Way of ManFukuda Kouhei
Among Kohei Fukuda’s “men’s songs,” the masterpiece Otokomichi stands out as a particular fan favorite.
While many of his men’s songs are extremely demanding, weaving in shouts, this one is different.
For his catalog, it falls on the more mellow side of the genre, prioritizing sustained, flowing lines over sheer power.
That said, it’s still a Kohei Fukuda song.
Intricate kobushi that require complex pitch rises and falls, as well as extended long tones, appear as a matter of course, so a fair amount of practice is essential to sing it well.
Mother’s Seaside SongFukuda Kouhei
Kouhei Fukuda’s masterpiece “Kaachan no Hama-uta” is distinguished by its subdued vocal line.
With a relaxed tempo and a predominantly minor, mournful melody, it maintains a serious atmosphere throughout.
For a Fukuda song, the pitch movement is not excessively dramatic; while the range is broad, the song rarely feels notably high.
The numerous fine melismatic ornaments require at least intermediate skill, but since it does not demand extraordinary breath capacity, it can be considered relatively easy to sing among Fukuda’s works.
Traveler of the NorthFukuda Kouhei
Among Kohei Fukuda’s songs, “Kita no Tabibito” (“Traveler of the North”) stands out as a masterpiece that exudes exceptional pathos.
Rather than a withered tone, it features a gently moist melody reminiscent of wet snow.
In stark contrast to that melody, the vocal line is delivered with straightforward, impassioned phrasing.
That said, for a Kohei Fukuda song, its range is quite narrow, and there are no highly technical kobushi embellishments, making it relatively easy to sing.
If you’re at an intermediate level or above, you should be able to handle it with confidence—consider adding it to your repertoire.
O north wind…Fukuda Kouhei
Kohei Fukuda is known for having many extremely difficult songs, but among them, the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is Kitakaze yo….
While it firmly inherits the essence of enka, it also features a catchy quality that hints at kayōkyoku influences here and there.
Since there aren’t many passages with consecutive, intricate kobushi (ornamental turns), this piece can be considered quite easy to sing by his standards.
However, because the song emphasizes sustained notes, you will need to deliver high-tone long notes.