The Most Idol-Like Star in the Enka World: Easy-to-Sing Songs by Kiyoshi Hikawa
Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa, who greatly energized Japan’s enka scene with “Kiyoshi no Zundoko Bushi.” With his idol-like, handsome appearance and stable vocal technique, he sparked a renewed boom in the 2000s, a time when enka was on the decline.
This time, we’re introducing some of Kiyoshi Hikawa’s songs that are easy to sing.
Because his musical background includes rock, many of his tracks have a pop-like feel.
We’ve gathered songs that even those unfamiliar with enka can sing, so be sure to check them out.
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- [Queen of Enka] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Sayuri Ishikawa [2026]
- [The Pinnacle of Modern Enka] Shimazu Aya’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
- [Original Endoru] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Junko Ishihara [2026]
- [Heisei-born, Showa-raised] Oe Yutaka’s easy-to-sing songs
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Enka's Top Idol: Hikawa Kiyoshi’s Easy-to-Sing Songs (1–10)
phantom / illusion / vision / fantasyHikawa Kiyoshi
Among Kiyoshi Hikawa’s songs, the masterpiece “Maboroshi” is known as one of his finest ballads.
While Hikawa is often associated with his distinctive kobushi style that includes the hiccup-like flip of the voice, this piece contains none of those elements.
It leans far more toward kayōkyoku than enka, so the melodic movement is very gentle.
If you pay close attention to pitch control, you can aim for a high score even without exceptional vocal prowess.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
My beloved TequiloHikawa Kiyoshi
Hikawa Kiyoshi’s classic “Itoshi no Tekīro” is memorable for its passionate melody.
Released not as an enka song but as a kayōkyoku track, it blends a distinctly Japanese kayōkyoku sound with Latin elements centered on bolero and flamenco in just the right balance.
The vocal range is somewhat wide, so it can be selective about who can sing it, but since it doesn’t feature kobushi—the intricate pitch ornamentation typical of enka—it’s actually one of the easier Hikawa Kiyoshi songs to sing.
The Finest BoatmanHikawa Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi Hikawa’s classic “Mogami no Sendou,” released in 2019.
The song has a traditional enka feel, characterized by a relaxed tempo and a warm melody.
While the slow tempo means there are many long sustained notes—which can be challenging—it’s also easier to create pauses before adding vibrato-like kobushi, so the overall difficulty is relatively low.
If the kobushi at the end of the chorus feels difficult, it’s recommended to practice each kobushi section individually and then connect them together when singing the full phrase.
[The Idol of the Enka World] Kiyoshi Hikawa’s Easy-to-Sing Songs (11–20)
Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi
Compared to typical enka singers, Kiyoshi Hikawa has released many catchy enka songs.
His signature hit “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi” is especially catchy and pop-oriented.
However, “Hakuun no Shiro” is different.
This work is classic, straight-ahead enka, even incorporating a touch of folk-song flavor.
As a result, while kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) appear as usual, the very slow tempo lets you build tension and then apply the kobushi effectively.
Having many rests before a kobushi is a very important element in singing enka.
If you want to sing authentic enka, starting your practice with this piece is a great idea.
Because you are hereHikawa Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi Hikawa’s masterpiece “Anata ga Iru Kara” is memorable for its moving lyrics.
It’s neither enka nor kayōkyoku; it was released as a pure pop song.
As such, you won’t find the complex vocal lines that demand the high-level singing technique typical of enka.
The tempo is relaxed and the vocal range isn’t very wide, making it very easy to sing.
It’s extremely catchy, so even people in their 70s and older who aren’t familiar with pop music should be able to sing it without any trouble.
dreamy sky; sky filled with deep thoughts or feelingsHikawa Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi Hikawa’s first pop album, Papillon.
This piece is one of the tracks included on the album, and it’s known as a ballad that’s exceptionally easy to sing.
Although it’s a pop work, it doesn’t feature the rapid-fire delivery or complex melodic jumps common in recent pop songs.
It firmly incorporates elements of kayōkyoku (classic Japanese popular music), making it a great recommendation even for those who feel uneasy about recent music trends.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Don’t worry about it.Hikawa Kiyoshi
Among the many enka singers, Kiyoshi Hikawa is especially known for his wide musical range.
Even among his works, the standout piece that drew attention as an unconventional masterpiece is “Kinishinai.” While this is a pop song, it’s strongly infused throughout with elements of dance music.
The melody has a great groove, yet the vocal range is surprisingly narrow and the tempo isn’t particularly fast, so even those who find recent songs challenging should be able to sing it with ease.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.