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 (11–20)
Drunk and reelingKatsura Ginshuku
It was released in 1989 as Ginshi Katsura’s fifth single.
It ranked within the top 100 on the Oricon Singles Chart for 31 weeks and won many awards, including the Gold Prize at the 31st Japan Record Awards and the Wired Music Award at the 22nd Japan Cable Radio Awards.
With this song, she performed at the 40th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it has become one of Ginshi Katsura’s signature songs.
Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi
It was released in 1972 as Kenichi Mikawa’s 25th single.
The song is well known because performers like Korokke often use it when impersonating Kenichi Mikawa.
As one of Mikawa’s signature songs, it has been performed many times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, where the lavish costumes also drew attention and added to the excitement.
Returning RiverGodai Natsuko
In 1987, when Natsuko Godai made her re-debut under this name, her debut song was “Modorigawa.” Thanks to steady promotional efforts, the song became a big hit.
It portrays the moment of parting that comes to two people caught up in a dangerous love—the poignant reality that, no matter how hard they try, it’s difficult for them to go on living together.
Godai’s deeply expressive vocals further highlight the sorrow and lingering attachment depicted in the lyrics.
Please give it a listen: a tragic love story—the very essence of enka—about wanting to be together, yet being unable to be.
Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi
This is Yoshimi Tendo’s 32nd single, released in 1996.
Inspired by the sea parting at Jindo in Korea, it is a song that expresses longing for someone far away.
It became Tendo’s first million-selling hit and won the Best Vocal Performance at the 38th Japan Record Awards.
As one of her signature songs, it is also very popular for karaoke.
You don’t have to go back.Shimazu Aya
This song was released in 2004 as Aya Shimazu’s 36th single.
The title “Kairanchayoka” means “You don’t have to come home” in the Kumamoto dialect, and the lyrics are written entirely in that dialect.
It originated as a song called “Ikitarayoka,” written and composed in 1995 by folk singer Hideki Sekijima, inspired by his own parents.
Battan Arakawa later recorded it under the changed title “Kairanchayoka.” There is an anecdote that Aya Shimazu liked the song so much that she asked for permission to sing it.
Yugiri PortMori Konomi
Set in a fog-shrouded port town, a heart-wrenching love song has been born.
It’s a deeply crafted piece released by Konomi Mori in July 2024.
Drawing on the unique vocal power she honed through folk music, she vividly conveys both the misty harbor scenery and the protagonist’s emotions.
The song is said to be inspired by Kojohama in Shiraoi, Hokkaido: lyrics penned by Akino Madoka, moved by the sight of a landscape wrapped in fog, paired with a poignant melody composed by Chiaki Oka.
Mori shares behind-the-scenes stories on her blog, and the release has been creating buzz among fans.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play when you’re thinking of someone dear, or to listen to alone on a quiet night.
Enka classics you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular songs (21–30)
Wajima Morning MarketMizumori Kaori
Released in 2008 as Kaori Mizumori’s 16th single.
It reached No.
5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, extending her streak of consecutive Top 10 debuts to five releases.
This local-themed song is inspired by the morning market in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture.
It won the Excellent Work Award at the 50th Japan Record Awards and was performed at the 59th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.