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
- [2026] Recent hit enka songs: must-watch popular kayō tracks
- 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
Reiwa is not to be missed either: Skilled enka singers (51–60)
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.
Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūto
Yuto Tatsumi is an enka singer from Fujiidera City, Osaka Prefecture.
His journey began when he won the Teens Karaoke Contest hosted by Nagara Production in his first year of junior high school, after which he spent his formative years performing street live shows.
He made his enka debut in 2018 with the single “Shitamachi Junjo.” His greatest appeal is, above all, his stable vocal ability.
As his background suggests, he possesses a high level of singing skill, delivering sophisticated kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) in every song.
Red spider lilies bloomKadamatsu Miyuki
Miyuki Kadomatsu is an enka singer from Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
She reportedly became interested in enka at the age of two, began serious vocal training in junior high school, and passed the audition on Nippon TV’s program “Uta Sta” when she was sixteen.
After that, she spent many years working as a karaoke guide vocalist before finally making her debut in 2019.
You could say she was quite a late bloomer as an enka singer.
Her appeal lies in her wistful singing style—her vocals carry a mature, melancholy depth that’s hard to believe for someone in her thirties.
Reiwa is not to be missed either: Enka singers with great vocals (61–70)
Mother-Koi NeonKurokawa Eiji
Enka singer Eiji Kurokawa, from Konan City in Kochi Prefecture.
He started playing the piano in first grade, and by his second year of junior high he had formed a rock band.
After entering the workforce, he apparently worked as a manager for an enka singer—a rather unusual career path, isn’t it? After various twists and turns, he finally made his debut in April 2003.
His greatest appeal is, above all, his rich, mature voice.
He has the deep, seasoned vocals and expressive power you’d expect from enka singers in their 50s or 60s.
Be sure to check him out.
Leave it to me.kuroki chiharu (kuroki shimai)
Chiharu Kuroki is an enka singer from Saito City in Miyazaki Prefecture.
She performs as part of the sister duo Kuroki Sisters.
It seems she studied Japanese dance from a young age, and she took third place in the Kyushu Junior Folk Song Competition.
Her older sister, Mika, was inspired by this and went on to win several folk song competitions.
Chiharu later worked as a model, but in 2010 she debuted as part of the Kuroki Sisters.
One of her biggest attractions is her stable vocal ability.
Both members of the Kuroki Sisters have impressive backgrounds, and their harmonies are breathtaking.
Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko
Mitsuko Nakamura, who hails from Higashi-Osaka in Osaka Prefecture, captivates listeners with an emotionally rich voice rooted in Kawachi ondo and rokyoku.
She debuted in 1986 with “Koi no Higo Tsubaki,” and had a major breakthrough with “Kawachi Otoko Bushi” in 1989, which became a staple of enka and karaoke.
She appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen 15 times from 1992 to 2010.
Her vocal prowess, including the ability to portray multiple roles, is highly regarded.
Having grown up in poverty and making a late-blooming debut at 36, her life experience lends depth to her singing.
With a friendly personality, she has also long served as a TV program host.
She’s a singer you should definitely listen to if you want to rediscover the appeal of enka.