RAG MusicJapanese Enka
Lovely enka

A roundup of hit enka songs from the Heisei era

When it comes to beloved enka classics, many were released during the Showa era, especially as nighttime releases, but the Heisei era also produced plenty of hit songs.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of enka hits from the Heisei period all at once!

We’ve gathered songs by artists of all genders and generations.

Every track here was a major hit, so even if you’re not well-versed in enka, you’ll likely recognize many of these songs.

Alright, let’s dive in and listen to some Heisei-era enka masterpieces!

Playlist

A roundup of hit enka songs from the Heisei era
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastgrandchildŌizumi Itsurō
grandchildŌizumi Itsurōplay_arrow
An inspiring song by Itsuro Oizumi about love for his grandchild
2eastFreeze my heartTakayama Iwao
Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao
Takayama Gen’s enka song “Kokoro Koorasete” left a significant mark on the Heisei-era music scene.
3eastLike the flow of a riverMisora Hibari
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibariplay_arrow
An immortal masterpiece, like the flow of a river
4eastmandarin duckItsuki Hiroshi
mandarin duckItsuki Hiroshiplay_arrow
Hiroshi Itsuki’s “Oshidori” is a masterpiece that depicts marital love.
5eastTottori Sand DunesMizumori Kaori
Tottori Sand DunesMizumori Kaoriplay_arrow
From heartbreak to hope in Kaori Mizumori’s signature song 'Tottori Sand Dunes'
6eastJindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi
Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimiplay_arrow
A song praying for the reunion of people separated by the Miracle of Jindo
7eastmarine snowjero
marine snowjeroplay_arrow
Jero’s “Umi Yuki” is a masterpiece that fuses the tradition and novelty of enka.
8eastAnemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki
Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyukiplay_arrow
Miyuki Kawanaka’s signature song “Nirinsou” has the theme of marital love.
9eastKiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi's Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
Hikawa Kiyoshi’s Zundoko-bushi is a message of hope
10eastFleeting LoveKouzai Kaori
Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaoriplay_arrow
Kaori Kozai's signature song 'Ruren-sou' became a big hit.
11eastHeart SakeFuji Ayako
Heart SakeFuji Ayakoplay_arrow
Fujii Ayako's signature song 'Kokoro-zake' became a big hit.
12eastThe Northern LandKitajima Saburō
The Northern LandKitajima Saburōplay_arrow
Saburo Kitajima sings of love for his hometown
13eastEnduring RainGodai Natsuko
Enduring RainGodai Natsukoplay_arrow
Natsuko Godai’s signature song “Shinobu Ame” (Enduring Rain)
14eastAizen Katsura Once MoreShimazu Aya
Aizen Katsura Once MoreShimazu Ayaplay_arrow
Aya Shimazu’s signature songs are moving and celebrate family love.
15eastO-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
Fuyumi Sakamoto’s signature song, Yozakura Oshichi, is about heartbreak and self-rediscovery
16eastCastle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi
Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
The enka masterpiece by Kiyoshi Hikawa, the historical romance of a decayed castle
17eastCaptain SlowpokeŌe Yutaka
Captain SlowpokeŌe Yutakaplay_arrow
An anthem cheering on those who chase their dreams, even if they're clumsy
18eastWould you like some Noto?Sakamoto Fuyumi
Would you like some Noto?Sakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
Sakamoto Fuyumi’s signature song that evokes nostalgia
19eastMother of NaniwaNatsuki Ayako
Mother of NaniwaNatsuki Ayakoplay_arrow
A soul-stirring anthem passed from mother to daughter
20eastone-way ticketKitayama Takeshi
one-way ticketKitayama Takeshiplay_arrow
The debut song, an enka number, ranked high and paved the way for later success.
21eastOga PeninsulaKitayama Takeshi
Oga PeninsulaKitayama Takeshiplay_arrow
Takashi Kitayama’s quintessential enka hit set in Akita
22eastAround the season of urizun (the early springtime in Okinawa, literally “the time when melons begin to grow”)Sakamoto Fuyumi
Around the season of urizun (the early springtime in Okinawa, literally “the time when melons begin to grow”)Sakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
Fuyumi Sakamoto’s famous song that sings of memories of her hometown
23eastI’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi
I'm falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
A classic song by Fuyumi Sakamoto that has deepened in love over many years
24eastKinokawa (Kii River)Sakamoto Fuyumi
Kinokawa (Kii River)Sakamoto Fuyumiplay_arrow
A song that portrays the bond of three generations passed down from mother to daughter
25eastAs long as life lastsTendō Yoshimi
As long as life lastsTendō Yoshimiplay_arrow
A masterpiece of enka that sings of life's joys and sorrows
26eastA Woman’s Life: Flowers of Sweatkawanaka miyuki
A Woman's Life: Flowers of Sweatkawanaka miyukiplay_arrow
A life-affirming anthem that sings of gratitude and love for one's mother
27eastFarewell, shadow of youthMori Shinichi
Farewell, shadow of youthMori Shinichiplay_arrow
Shinichi Mori’s wistful pop: nostalgia for youth and resolve for the future
28eastNorth GobanchoHosokawa Takashi
North GobanchoHosokawa Takashiplay_arrow
Takashi Hosokawa’s heartwarming song portrays the warmth of people in a northern town.
29eastWinter Love FlowerHanasaki Yukimi
Winter Love FlowerHanasaki Yukimiplay_arrow
The fourth single by Yukimi Hanasaki, richly singing of winter romance.
30eastTwo FlowersFuji Ayako
Two FlowersFuji Ayakoplay_arrow
A classic enka song portraying a woman who supports the one she loves
31eastThe Northernmost RouteKouzai Kaori
The Northernmost RouteKouzai Kaoriplay_arrow
Vowing to make a comeback on a northbound sea voyage after overcoming heartbreak