Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
Enka, the genre of music that helped energize Japan up through around the 1980s.
Countless masterpieces were born in this field of enka.
This time, we’re featuring the crème de la crème—timeless enka hits that defined their eras and are perfect for singing at karaoke.
From well-known classics to hidden gems known only to aficionados, we’ve selected songs across a wide range of years and styles, so be sure to find the one that suits you.
We’re introducing quite a number of tracks, making this a great pick for anyone who wants to reminisce alongside enka.
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1970s
- Cool masterpieces of enka, the heart of Japan
- Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]
- Great enka masterpieces and hit songs of the 1980s
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Enka songs that are easy for men to sing: a roundup of tracks to try at karaoke
- Easy-to-sing enka: A roundup of recommended enka songs for karaoke
- [Showa Era] A Collection of Enka Hits: Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- [Japan’s Best Vocalist] Fukuda Kohei’s Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs
- A roundup of hit enka songs from the Heisei era
Enka Masterpieces You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke: Recommended Popular Songs (71–80)
The one I still love even after we’ve broken upRosu Indiosu & Shirubia
Even If We Break Up, I Still Love You is an urban, stylish enka mood duet released in 1979 that became a million seller.
The female vocalist, Sylvia, has an interesting background: she was formerly a corporate league volleyball player, was scouted while singing karaoke in Osaka, joined Los Indios, and their debut song, Even If We Break Up, I Still Love You, became a massive hit.
cornflowerGodai Natsuko
Natsuko Godai continues to captivate many hearts with her delicately expressive vocals.
Among her songs, this heartbreak ballad is particularly moving.
In this piece, she sings of hidden feelings entrusted to purple flowers, painting a bittersweet love story.
Released in June 2015, it became her 27th single.
The song’s structure—starting quietly and gradually building in emotion—is also appealing, making it an easy choice for karaoke.
Highly recommended for those who want to feel both the ache of love and a sense of hope for the future.
Mount TsurugiKitayama Takeshi
It was released in 2009 as Takeshi Kitayama’s eighth single.
Composed by Saburō Kitajima, the song is powerfully crafted, overlaying a man’s life with Mount Tsurugi, a famous peak that offers a distant view of the Seto Inland Sea.
It was performed at the 60th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and reached No.
16 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
festivalKitajima Saburō
Saburo Kitajima’s song “Matsuri” features a magnificent festival accompaniment of booming drums and lilting flutes; its brilliant sound makes your soul throb with excitement and joy.
It’s a masterpiece that could be called a hallmark of the national enka genre.
It’s the perfect song to sing at karaoke for celebrations or whenever you want to get everyone fired up.
Flowers of TsugaruHarada Yuuri
Released in 1999 as Yuri Harada’s 17th single.
Although it peaked at No.
42 on the Oricon chart, it became a long-running hit and ultimately sold over 160,000 copies.
The song won the Excellent Work Award at the 41st Japan Record Awards, and with this song she made her first appearance at the 50th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Such is a woman’s soliloquyMasuiyama Tashirō
A masterpiece by Taishiro Masuiyama that skillfully expresses feelings from the depths of the heart.
The lyrics vividly portray a woman’s heartrending emotions and leave a strong impression.
Released in September 1977, it reached No.
13 on the Oricon chart.
It continued to stay on the charts for an extended period, achieving an astonishing total sales figure of 1.39 million copies.
Highly recommended for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the subtleties between men and women, as well as for younger listeners who admire mature romance.
Sing it at karaoke and you’re sure to capture the audience’s hearts.
Captain SlowpokeŌe Yutaka
It was released in 2009 as Hiroshi Oe’s debut single.
The song depicts a man who is always laughed at for being clumsy and slow, yet resolves to one day become a big success and rises to his feet.
It’s an upbeat track that suits Hiroshi Oe’s image well.
The composition was written by Saburo Kitajima—whom Oe had long hoped to apprentice under and regards as his mentor—using his pen name, Joji Hara.