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


play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow