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【2026】Recommended Enka by Male Singers with Captivating High Notes

Suddenly, if we’re asked to name enka masterpieces known for their high notes, how many can you think of?

Looking at chart-topping J-pop, even today in the Reiwa era there are plenty of songs sung by male vocalists in quite high ranges.

Enka, however, tends to give the impression of melodies spanning a broad range that are delivered with advanced vocal technique and expressive power, rather than emphasizing high notes per se.

In this article, we’ve compiled masterpieces by singers who showcase the soaring, beautiful high notes unique to enka.

From classic songs loved for generations to the latest tracks by up-and-coming artists, this is a must-read not only for listeners who love male high-tone vocals but also for those looking for a challenge at karaoke!

Playlist

【2026】Recommended Enka by Male Singers with Captivating High Notes
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi
Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashiplay_arrow
A masterpiece whose folk-style enka by Takashi Hosokawa resonates with the heart
2Tokyo EnkaKurokawa Shinichiro
Tokyo EnkaKurokawa Shinichiroplay_arrow
An enka set in a downtown neighborhood, captivating with its high notes and melancholy.
3The petal-blizzard from that dayOotaki Hikaru
The petal-blizzard from that dayOotaki Hikaruplay_arrow
Hikaru Otaki: A moving enka song depicting the bond between mother and child
4Kanazawa Nostalgia SongMatsubara Takeshi
Kanazawa Nostalgia SongMatsubara Takeshiplay_arrow
Takeyuki Matsubara’s classic song sings the heart of Kanazawa.
5Back Alley Fireflieskoori kenta
Back Alley Fireflieskoori kentaplay_arrow
Kenta Koori, the famous song that likens feelings of love to fireflies
6Solo Journey with the Tsugaru ShamisenSaisei
Solo Journey with the Tsugaru ShamisenSaiseiplay_arrow
Enka that stirs the soul of a lonely traveler
7Wandering ShipMori Shinichi
Wandering ShipMori Shinichiplay_arrow
Shinichi Mori’s classic song that sings of heartbreak and the transience of life
8Winter MoonHikawa Kiyoshi
Winter MoonHikawa Kiyoshiplay_arrow
A moving enka that sings of loneliness with the moon as its theme
9Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūto
Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūtoplay_arrow
Yuto Tatsumi “Setsugekka”: Seasonal Sentiments
10Hokkai Port FestivalMiyama Hiroshi
Hokkai Port FestivalMiyama Hiroshiplay_arrow
An enka song that sings of Hiroshi Miyama’s fisherman spirit
11I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai
I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudaiplay_arrow
Yudai Koyama’s debut song that sings of nostalgia for Hokkaido
12Mother-longing SakeFukuda Kouhei
Mother-longing SakeFukuda Kouheiplay_arrow
Kohei Fukuda’s enka “Tenryu Nagashi”
13Sinful LoveFutami Souichi
Sinful LoveFutami Souichiplay_arrow
Soichi Futami, an enka ballad depicting a mature romance
14Nanbu Love SongMatsuzaka Yuuki
Nanbu Love SongMatsuzaka Yuukiplay_arrow
Yuuki Matsuzaka’s “Song of Homesickness” resonates with the heart.
15Boatwoman’s SongMitsubishi Michiya
Boatwoman's SongMitsubishi Michiyaplay_arrow
A famous song with the captivating high notes of Michiya Mihashi: The Sorrow of the Female Boatman
16Funamizaka (Funami Slope)Sora Daiki
Funamizaka (Funami Slope)Sora Daikiplay_arrow
A wistful love song, the third installment in the Hokkaido series
17inner voiceFutami Souichi
inner voiceFutami Souichiplay_arrow
Souichi Futami's gratitude song, composed by Saburo Kitajima