[Original Endoru] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Junko Ishihara [2026]
When she debuted at 20, she was given the catchphrase “idol of enka,” and Junko Ishihara—often called the original “endol” (enka idol)—not only has solid credentials as an enka singer but also writes and composes her own music and is active as a reciter of traditional chant, showcasing her multifaceted talent.
Her repertoire spans not only classic, orthodox enka but also pop and folk-style songs, offering many tracks that are relatively approachable even for those not yet accustomed to enka.
Here, we’ve researched and compiled songs by Ishihara, from enka to pop, that are easy to try at karaoke and the like.
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[The Original Endoru] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Junko Ishihara [2026] (1–10)
passing showerIshihara Junko
Ishihara Junko’s classic “Tooriame” is distinguished by its poignant melody.
While she’s known for an orthodox kobushi (melismatic ornament) style, this song features multiple kobushi turns that incorporate falsetto, reminiscent of rōkyoku.
Though such pieces may seem difficult, that’s not actually the case.
If you set the key so your voice flips naturally into falsetto at the right height, it can be easier to sing than standard kobushi.
Since the vocal line itself doesn’t have much contour, focusing on clean, natural flips in the kobushi can even help you aim for a high karaoke score.
I want to see you—I wish I could be with you right now.Ishihara Junko
Junko Ishihara’s classic “Aitai, Ima Sugu Anata ni….” Among her songs, this one is particularly easy to sing.
Rather than enka, it leans more toward kayōkyoku, with a melody that evokes the style of Machiko Watanabe or Mariko Takahashi.
The key reason it’s easy to sing is the gentle rise and fall of the pitch.
The tempo is slow and there’s no kobushi ornamentation, so if you focus on solid pitch control and sustained vibrato on long tones, you can even aim for a high karaoke score.
lingering-regret sakeIshihara Junko
Miren-zake, a famous song by Junko Ishihara, is marked by its orthodox, warm melody.
While the piece features quintessential enka-style phrases throughout, it surprisingly doesn’t use much kobushi (melodic ornamentation).
The trickiest spot is the kobushi at the end of the chorus, which shifts across two scale steps.
In a typical enka song, this kind of ornament would be commonplace, so the supposed “difficult passage” is actually quite easy.
Since there’s no need to belt, simply focusing on a smooth, expansive long tone will make it sound convincingly enka-like.
[Original Endoru] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Junko Ishihara [2026] (11–20)
Flower of HappinessIshihara Junko
Junko Ishihara’s classic “Shiawase no Hana” is notable for its melancholy, evocative melody.
While it has the hallmarks of a quintessential enka tune, it surprisingly uses very little kobushi (melodic ornamentation): from the A verse to the B verse, the kobushi appears only twice.
In the chorus it appears three times, and among those, there’s only one instance where the pitch oscillates multiple times.
If you pay attention to controlling your vocal dynamics when applying kobushi, you should be able to sing it solidly.
So if you feel uncertain about your kobushi technique, please use this as a reference.
taking shelter from the rainIshihara Junko
Amayadori, a famous song by Junko Ishihara, is marked by its gently moist, delicate melody.
While its structure is characteristically enka, the vocal line leans more toward pop than traditional enka.
As a result, there are no kobushi ornaments—the complex pitch bends and turns typical of enka.
If you want to sing this piece more effectively, try delivering the end of the chorus with a slightly bluesy feel.
This section uses a vocal line often found in Black music, and if you lower the initial pitch by about a quarter tone, it will suddenly sound much more professional.
Rain of MemoriesIshihara Junko
Junko Ishihara’s signature song “Omoide no Ame” embodies modern enka.
While firmly inheriting the genre’s core elements, it’s also as easy to sing as a pop tune.
It does feature kobushi ornamentation, but not the fast, scale-jumping kind—rather the type with a deliberate pause—so it isn’t overly difficult.
On top of that, the vocal range is narrow and there are no parts that require belting, making it truly a beginner-friendly enka song.
Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.
I want to get drunk aloneIshihara Junko
Ishihara Junko’s heartbreaking masterpiece “Hitori Yoitakute” portrays the pain of lost love.
Like Hitomi Ishikawa’s “Amagi-goe,” it features a melody that is both wistful and passionate.
In contrast to the passionate melody, however, the vocal line in this piece is crafted to be very simple.
There are few kobushi (ornamental turns) and no drastic rises and falls in pitch.
With careful attention to pitch control, you should be able to aim for a high score.
For those who want to sing it even better, try adding a breathy quality to the K-row consonants to emphasize dynamics.