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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!

Playlist

Reiwa era mustn't be missed: an enka singer with excellent vocals.
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Northern Women’s TownMiyama Hiroshi
Northern Women's TownMiyama Hiroshiplay_arrow
Hiroshi Miyama, an enka singer from Kochi
2Scarlet LipsYamauchi Keisuke
Scarlet LipsYamauchi Keisukeplay_arrow
Keisuke Yamauchi was discovered at a karaoke venue and became a popular singer.
3Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachikoplay_arrow
Sachiko Kobayashi debuted at age nine and is popular across a wide range of generations.
4Person Sought in the NorthNakazawa Takuya
Person Sought in the NorthNakazawa Takuyaplay_arrow
Enka singer Takuya Nakazawa from Niigata makes his debut
5You don’t have to go back.Shimazu Aya
You don't have to go back.Shimazu Ayaplay_arrow
Aya Shimazu from Kumamoto: Enka and her diverse musicality
6Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimi
Your path of gloryTendō Yoshimiplay_arrow
Expressing Yoshimi Tendo’s vocal ability and appeal
7Lost in TokyoFujii Kaori
Lost in TokyoFujii Kaoriplay_arrow
Kaori Fujii: Her diverse activities before debut
8Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri
Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuriplay_arrow
Sayuri Ishikawa, a leading figure and veteran singer in the enka/kayōkyoku world
9Song of the Northern Sea GullsToba Ichirō
Song of the Northern Sea GullsToba Ichirōplay_arrow
Toba Ichiro’s full-on seafaring masculine allure
10Pardon me.Ōe Yutaka
Pardon me.Ōe Yutakaplay_arrow
Enka singer Hiroshi Oe’s TV appearances and activities
11From the Kamome Bridgesakuramaya
From the Kamome Bridgesakuramayaplay_arrow
Enka singer Maya Sakura, noted for her youth and vocal prowess
12O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
Fuyumi Sakamoto, a versatile singer from enka to J-pop.
13Ooi Stalker OntaroHikawa Kiyoshi
Ooi Stalker OntaroHikawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
Enka’s Prince Kiyoshi Hikawa enjoys broad popularity.
14Nambu Cicada ChorusFukuda Kouhei
Nambu Cicada ChorusFukuda Kouheiplay_arrow
Kohei Fukuda, an enka singer from Iwate
15Shibuya-style—this is youth!Tokunaga Yuuki
Shibuya-style—this is youth!Tokunaga Yuukiplay_arrow
Enka singer and railway enthusiast Yuuki Tokunaga wins the Nodo Jiman contest.
16Tearful LoveYashiro Aki
Tearful LoveYashiro Akiplay_arrow
Aki Yashiro: The Allure of Enka and Music
17Sake InnKouzai Kaori
Sake InnKouzai Kaoriplay_arrow
Kaori Kouzai, a popular singer active in the enka genre.
18Snow TrainMaekawa Kiyoshi
Snow TrainMaekawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
Kiyoshi Maekawa is highly active as an enka singer.
19White StraitŌtsuki Miyako
White StraitŌtsuki Miyako
Miyako Otsuki: The Life and Music of an Enka Singer
20The End of Love in SangenjayaIwa Misaki
The End of Love in SangenjayaIwa Misakiplay_arrow
Misaki Iwasa, formerly of AKB48, will continue her career as AKB’s first enka singer.
21PhoenixHarada Namito
PhoenixHarada Namitoplay_arrow
From Wakayama, Enka Gen Z rising star Harada Namito
22maneNagayama Yōko
maneNagayama Yōkoplay_arrow
Yoko Nagayama sings a song featuring the Hanyu couple
23Brotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburō
Brotherly Code of HonorKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
Saburo Kitajima’s famous song, with its striking high notes, is captivating.
24Ariake SeaKitayama Takeshi
Ariake SeaKitayama Takeshiplay_arrow
Kitayama’s vocal ability and Takubo’s lyrics are outstanding.
25Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Hosokawa Takashi
Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Hosokawa Takashiplay_arrow
Takashi Hosokawa, a popular enka singer from Hokkaido
26You and me, just the two of usItsuki Hiroshi
You and me, just the two of usItsuki Hiroshiplay_arrow
One of Itsuki’s biggest hit songs, and a track from the ‘Happy Enka Trilogy.’
27omamori (a Japanese amulet/charm)Kadokawa Hiroshi
omamori (a Japanese amulet/charm)Kadokawa Hiroshiplay_arrow
Kadokawa: Hiroshi Itsuki acknowledged as a master of women’s songs
28Naruto StraitGodai Natsuko
Naruto StraitGodai Natsuko
Godai-san’s Songs and the Edo Spirit
29At the end of the journeykanmuri jiro
At the end of the journeykanmuri jiroplay_arrow
In Hiroyuki Itsuki’s songs, there is a robust loneliness and solitude.
30Sinful LoveFutami Souichi
Sinful LoveFutami Souichiplay_arrow
Souichi Futami, an accomplished singer who won first place at a folk song competition
31Throw it away.Amano Ryo
Throw it away.Amano Ryoplay_arrow
From a foreign-affiliated company employee to an enka singer: captivating with stable, reliable vocal prowess
32Kinokawa RiverYamanishi Akari
Kinokawa RiverYamanishi Akariplay_arrow
Akari Yamanishi, an enka singer from Wakayama
33Ashikaze PassMori Konomi
Ashikaze PassMori Konomiplay_arrow
Konami Mori, an enka singer from Hokkaido
34EbisuSanada Naoki
EbisuSanada Naokiplay_arrow
Naoki Sanada, who found success in enka after a setback in baseball
35Winter JourneyMori Shinichi
Winter JourneyMori Shinichiplay_arrow
Shinichi Mori, the husky-voiced singer from Yamanashi
36Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumi
Anko Camellia is the flower of loveMiyako Harumiplay_arrow
Harumi Miyako, a diva who represents the enka world with her powerful singing voice.
37A Man, Booze and TearsFujiwara Hiroshi
A Man, Booze and TearsFujiwara Hiroshiplay_arrow
Hiroshi Fujiwara, an emerging enka star who sings of tradition and innovation
38Deep, deep snowFuji Ayako
Deep, deep snowFuji Ayakoplay_arrow
Akita beauty, a fair-skinned and beautiful woman
39I won’t let go, I won’t let go.Shinhama Reon
I won't let go, I won't let go.Shinhama Reonplay_arrow
Enka singer with a K-pop idol vibe, Leon Niihama
40Nostalgic Cape TappiRyūsei
Nostalgic Cape TappiRyūseiplay_arrow
From Hokkaido, a disciple of Takashi Hosokawa.
41white cloverkoori kenta
white cloverkoori kentaplay_arrow
Kenta Koori is an enka singer and former nursery school teacher. He debuted after winning a karaoke competition.
42Motherly bondedoarudo
Motherly bondedoarudoplay_arrow
Enka by Eduardo, a Japanese Brazilian
43A Man’s Fishing GroundIchijō Kanta
A Man’s Fishing GroundIchijō Kantaplay_arrow
The deep, rugged singing voice of Kanta Ichijo, a rock-style enka singer.
44Wandering Bird of TearsMita Kyoka
Wandering Bird of TearsMita Kyokaplay_arrow
Kyoka Mita: Passion for Enka and a Soothing Voice
45Green Que Sera SeraOka Midori
Green Que Sera SeraOka Midoriplay_arrow
Midori Oka: from folk songs to enka, a captivating singing voice
46Innocent CuckooHarada Namito
Innocent CuckooHarada Namitoplay_arrow
The musicality and uniqueness of enka singer Nahito Harada
47It’s a clumsy way of living, but…Kikawa Naoki
It’s a clumsy way of living, but…Kikawa Naokiplay_arrow
The appeal and vocal prowess of enka singer Naoki Kigawa
48Rain falls on Hollander SlopeYūji Matsuo
Rain falls on Hollander Slope 松尾雄史play_arrow
Yuji Matsuo, an enka singer whose rolled R’s are captivating.
49Rainy airportMoriyama Aiko
Rainy airportMoriyama Aikoplay_arrow
The Appeal and Achievements of Enka Singer Aiko Moriyama
50Please don’t look for me…Minase Dan
Please don't look for me...Minase Danplay_arrow
A new song by the young enka singer, Minase Dan
51Sekihoku PassShimizu Hiromasa
Sekihoku PassShimizu Hiromasaplay_arrow
The moving story of Hiromasa Shimizu, a completely blind enka singer
52Jonkara AffectionShirayuki Miya
Jonkara AffectionShirayuki Miyaplay_arrow
Miya Toi, from folk songs to enka singer
53The Bells of Santa MariaTakeshima Hiroshi
The Bells of Santa MariaTakeshima Hiroshiplay_arrow
The appeal of Hiroshi Takeshima, an enka singer from Fukui
54One FlowerHayama Mizuki
One FlowerHayama Mizukiplay_arrow
The appeal of Mizuki Hayama, an enka singer from Yamagata
55Yobuko Love SongTani Ryusuke
Yobuko Love SongTani Ryusukeplay_arrow
Ryosuke Tani, who transitioned from a former baseball player to an enka singer
56Solitary NostalgiaKoshikawa Yuuko
Solitary NostalgiaKoshikawa Yuukoplay_arrow
An enka singer from Niigata, notable for their powerful vocal ability.
57Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūto
Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūtoplay_arrow
The vocal ability of enka singer Yuto Tatsumi
58Red spider lilies bloomKadamatsu Miyuki
Red spider lilies bloomKadamatsu Miyukiplay_arrow
A late-blooming enka singer, a voice filled with melancholy
59The Beginning of a WomanAoyama Shin
The Beginning of a WomanAoyama Shinplay_arrow
The manly singing voice of enka singer Arata Aoyama
60Mother-Koi NeonKurokawa Eiji
Mother-Koi NeonKurokawa Eijiplay_arrow
The deep, rich singing voice of Eiji Kurokawa, an enka singer from Kochi
61Leave it to me.kuroki chiharu (kuroki shimai)
Leave it to me.kuroki chiharu (kuroki shimai)play_arrow
Enka singers the Kuroki Sisters, from Saito, make their debut.
62Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko
Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsukoplay_arrow
An enka singer popular for the Kawachi Ondo
63Let’s be happy, okay?Handa Koji
Let's be happy, okay?Handa Kojiplay_arrow
A big hit in Showa-era rock enka
64Woman of TakayamaŌe Yutaka
Woman of TakayamaŌe Yutakaplay_arrow
Enka singer Yutaka Oe, who admires Saburo Kitajima
65Aizu Sosookuyama eiji
Aizu Sosookuyama eijiplay_arrow
Eiji Okuyama, an enka singer from Yamagata
66Izakaya “Ten no Ji”Yamazaki Teiji
Izakaya “Ten no Ji”Yamazaki Teijiplay_arrow
Former boxer Teiji Yamazaki is active in the enka scene.
67America BridgeYamakawa Yutaka
America BridgeYamakawa Yutakaplay_arrow
The Charm and Musical Life of Enka Singer Yutaka Yamakawa
68Two-person sakekawanaka miyuki
Two-person sakekawanaka miyukiplay_arrow
Miyuki Kawanaka is a leading figure in enka, conveying deep emotion through her classic songs.
69Checkmate!Saisei
Checkmate!Saiseiplay_arrow
An enka singer from Hokkaido, a talented rising star
70Will you marry me?Niinuma Kenji
Will you marry me?Niinuma Kenjiplay_arrow
The Appeal and Achievements of Enka Singer Kenji Niinuma
71curiousHama Hiroya
curiousHama Hiroyaplay_arrow
Hama Hiroya from Yamagata, with high notes and a captivating singing voice
72Happy CoupleHiroyuki Nishikata
Happy Couple Hiroyuki Nishikataplay_arrow
Hiroyuki Nishikata, a one-and-only enka singer, 35 years
73I love you, Kobe.Gojō Tetsuya
I love you, Kobe.Gojō Tetsuyaplay_arrow
Tetsuya Gojō, a husky-voiced enka singer
74Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzoplay_arrow
Ikuzo Yoshi is very popular for enka and folk music.
75A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji
A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōjiplay_arrow
Joji Yamamoto passionately sings of a man's heart through enka
76Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi
Scorpio womanMikawa Ken'ichiplay_arrow
Kenichi Mikawa: A big success in enka, still active despite his advanced age.
77Tsugaru PlainSen Masao
Tsugaru PlainSen Masaoplay_arrow
Mr. Sen’s song is a masterpiece that conveys the spirit of Japan.
78Sand CastleKawashima Kenji
Sand CastleKawashima Kenjiplay_arrow
Kenji Kawashima, handsome enka singer, makes his debut