Reiwa era mustn't be missed: an enka singer with excellent vocals.
When you hear the term “enka singer,” what kind of performer comes to mind?
You might instantly picture a long-standing veteran who’s been singing for decades, but in recent years, thanks to karaoke TV shows and the like, more young singers have emerged, bringing a fresh sense of fun!
As for musical style, there’s been an increase in easy-to-listen-to songs that lean more toward pop these days.
Of course, there are the accomplished veterans, but with the influence of those programs as well, we’ll introduce talented enka singers who are approachable for all generations.
Give them a listen—you’ll likely feel enka become more familiar and appealing!
- Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]
- A Japanese female singer with excellent singing ability; an outstanding vocalist.
- A male singer with exceptional vocal skills: a powerhouse performer who captivates with volume, technique, and expressiveness.
- Diva of Enka: A roundup of female singers leading the enka world
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- Enka Singer Popularity Ranking in Karaoke [2026]
- [Overwhelming Vocal Ability] A Compilation of Popular Female Singers
- Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]
- Male singers with great voices: a collection of cool, seductive vocals
- Songs We Want to Listen to and Sing! Masterpieces and Popular Hits of Reiwa-era Enka
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Also great for karaoke with friends! Youthful songs that hype up the Reiwa era
Unmissable in the Reiwa era too: Enka singers with great vocals (ages 41–50)
Please don’t look for me…Minase Dan
Dan Minase is a young enka singer from Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture.
He studied jazz, pop, and vocal music at a music school in Tokyo, but his love for Showa-era kayōkyoku led him to switch to enka.
After debuting in 2009 with “Inoritai no Kami-sama ni / Midasarete,” he moved to Nippon Crown.
On August 2, 2023, he released “Saganaidene…” as his first single since the move.
With his youthful, charming voice and good looks, there’s no doubt he’ll help energize the enka world from here on out!
Reiwa is not to be missed either: Skilled enka singers (51–60)
Sekihoku PassShimizu Hiromasa
Hiromasa Shimizu is an enka singer from Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture.
Born completely blind due to retinopathy of prematurity, he became familiar with enka under the influence of his grandparents and has lived brightly and resiliently while singing enka.
Later, after achieving strong results on NHK Nodo Jiman, he debuted as an enka singer in 2008.
His greatest appeal is, above all, his vocal ability.
He didn’t gain popularity because he is blind; rather, he is a genuine enka singer who earned acclaim purely for his top-tier vocal prowess.
Jonkara AffectionShirayuki Miya
Miya Tooi is an enka singer from Yūki City in Ibaraki Prefecture.
She began singing folk songs at the age of four, and in her senior year of high school she won the national youth folk song competition with Isobushi.
Since then, under the tutelage of composer Kaoruto Sakaki, she has steadily built her career as an enka singer.
Her biggest charm is, above all, her sweet, cute vocal timbre.
As her background suggests, she has excellent vocal technique, and she also shines with expressive power that brings smiles to listeners’ faces.
She’s a must-listen for anyone who loves uplifting, feel-good enka.
The Bells of Santa MariaTakeshima Hiroshi
Hiroshi Takeshima is a singer from Fukui City in Fukui Prefecture.
While he sings enka, he is also known for mood kayō (romantic popular songs), and together with his sweet looks, he enjoys overwhelming support from older women.
He seems to have admired enka since childhood, and after graduating from university he was scouted by lyricist Kyosuke Kuni.
Following an apprenticeship doing tasks like answering phones as a part-time worker, he made his debut in 2002.
His greatest charm is, above all, his sweet singing voice.
It’s not a style that shows off vocal tricks, but its appeal lies in that sweet tone and his high expressive power.
Be sure to check him out.
One FlowerHayama Mizuki
Mizuki Hayama is an enka singer from Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture.
It seems she had been singing at senior citizens’ gatherings since she was four, joined a karaoke club in sixth grade, and, after entering high school, became a member of the Yamagata Prefecture Kayō Promotion Association.
She later won the prefectural kayō championship, worked as a shrine maiden for six years, and, after winning an audition, arrived at where she is today.
Her greatest charm is, above all, her sultry vocal tone—remarkably mature for someone in her thirties.
The gap with her cute looks is striking, so be sure to check out her music videos.
Yobuko Love SongTani Ryusuke
Ryusuke Tani is an enka singer from Kamagari Town, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture.
He started playing baseball in the second grade of elementary school and was skilled enough to make it to the final selection in a tryout for his hometown team, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
However, after an injury forced him to give up a professional career, he went through various twists and turns before making his debut in 2005 with Onna no Komoriuta under Tokuma Japan Communications.
His greatest appeal lies in his expressive power.
He is the type of singer who can perform tearful, emotional enka in the vein of Ikuzo Yoshi, and his charm especially shines in quietly reflective songs.
Solitary NostalgiaKoshikawa Yuuko
Yuko Koshikawa is an enka singer from Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture.
In fourth grade, she won the Yūkyūzan Cherry Blossom Kids Singing Contest by performing “Osaka Suzume.” She later appeared on NHK Nodo Jiman and NHK’s “Oi, Japan! Today We’re All About Niigata.” She debuted in 2012 under the name Yuu Asahina with the song “Echigo Sakura.” In 2019, she changed her stage name to Yuko Koshikawa (using different characters), and since 2021 she has been performing as Yuko Koshikawa (current name).
Her standout appeal lies in her exceptional vocal ability—as her career attests, she possesses strong singing skills and delivers consistently stable performances in live shows.