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.
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- [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
Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks (81–90)
Still in YokohamaKadamatsu Miyuki
Set against the port city of Yokohama, Miyuki Kadomatsu’s new song portrays a bittersweet love.
Known for her expansive, powerful vocals, this time she delivers a lingering-love ballad with a gentle melody that harmonizes with Yokohama’s cityscape.
Released in July 2024, it is her sixth single.
A release concert was held the same day, providing a chance to deepen connections with fans.
Why not let the scenery and atmosphere of Yokohama wash over you as you reflect on a bittersweet love that everyone has felt at least once? It’s sure to be a song that resonates deeply in your heart.
Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika
A heart-touching classic set in Otaru, Hokkaido.
It beautifully depicts snow-swirling scenery and the poignancy of heartbreak.
Released in September 1967 as the debut single of Masayoshi Tsuruoka and Tokyo Romantica, it became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the weekly Oricon chart.
In 1969, it was also selected as the theme song for Toei’s TV drama “Kiri no Roman: Otaru no Onna,” further boosting its popularity.
If you’re singing it at karaoke, winter is the ideal season.
With its mellow mood, it’s perfect for moments when you want to reminisce about love.
It’s a must-listen not only for fans of enka but also for younger listeners who want to savor the atmosphere of the Showa era.
freezing rainKayama Akio
“Hisame” is an enka mood song with a romantic atmosphere that begins with a bittersweet melody.
The song became a major hit in the early 1980s, with both Akio Kayama and Mika Hino releasing their own records of it.
It was also enka singer Akio Kayama’s debut single (1977) and won the Long-Seller Award at the 25th Japan Record Awards.
Drunken SongYoshi Ikuzo
It is a single released by Ikuzo Yoshi in 1990.
Written and composed by Ikuzo Yoshi, it stands alongside “Yukiguni” and “Sake yo” as one of his signature songs.
The lyrics, which evoke a somewhat wistful feeling of drinking and the singer’s thoughts about a father living apart, are particularly memorable.
The song was performed at the 41st NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Angels of the CityHoriuchi Takao & Cheuni
Takao Horiuchi, a core member of the folk group Alice that enjoyed immense popularity in the 1970s, made a remarkable transition and found great success as an enka singer after the group disbanded.
“Tokai no Tenshitachi” is a celebrated duet masterpiece—with a refined, urban flair—composed and sung by Horiuchi himself.
A One-Yen Coin VagabondMizumori Kaori
Although it’s a bright and cheerful enka song, Ichien-dama no Tabigarasu became an unexpected smash hit after gaining popularity during its broadcast on NHK’s Minna no Uta.
The lyrics were written by Toyohisa Araki and the music composed by Tetsuya Gen, both of whom are well-known figures in the enka world.
Enka masterpieces you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular songs (91–100)
Osaka sparrowNagai Miyuki
This debut song, written by lyricist Taka Takashi for his beloved protégé Miyuki Nagai from Osaka, was released in 1992.
It won the Excellent Broadcast Music Newcomer Award at the 23rd Japan Kayō Awards, and the Best New Artist Award in the Kayō/Enka category at the 34th Japan Record Awards.
Its performance, with lyrics declaring that Tokyo is nothing to boast about, resonated with people from Kansai and made it a hit.