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 classics you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular songs (21–30)
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.
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.
Harbor Town No. 13Misora Hibari
This is a song released by Hibari Misora in 1957.
It is one of the ‘madros’ songs that she loved to sing during her lifetime, set in her hometown of Yokohama and the neighboring city of Kawasaki.
The song was used in episode 17 of the NHK morning drama Teruteru Kazoku, which aired in the second half of 2003, and it has a bright, lively feel that evokes the scenery of a port town.
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.
Naniwa SpiritSakamoto Fuyumi
Its powerful sound, reminiscent of the debut single “Abare Daiko,” blends beautifully with her lustrous vocals.
Released in March 2025, this work is the first song in which Ms.
Sakamoto, who hails from Kansai, sings with Osaka as its theme.
Created by an all-star team, it reunites Yo Yashiro after 20 years and Chiaki Oka after 9 years.
It vividly portrays, with deep emotion, the importance of facing forward and moving on precisely when you hit a wall.
It truly feels like a song that stays close to the hearts of those striving to overcome difficult times in life.
America BridgeYamakawa Yutaka
This is a single released by Yutaka Yamakawa in 1998.
The song depicts the real-life scenery of Ebisu Minami Bridge and tells the story of former lovers who reunite and part ways with a bittersweet farewell.
Ebisu Minami Bridge is commonly known as the “America Bridge,” and the song was used as the theme for MBS-produced, TBS-affiliated daytime drama 30 ‘From the Scene of Life’ (Series 5).
With this song, he appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for two consecutive years, in 1998 and 1999.
Our town was green indeed.Sen Masao
Masao Sen’s classic “Waga Machi wa Midori Nariki” is notable for its gentle melody.
While it is nominally classified as enka, the vocal line strongly reflects the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku, and the characteristic enka vocal melisma (kobushi) is scarcely present.
The few instances of kobushi are mostly limited to a single scale step up or down, so even those not adept at enka-style phrasing should be able to sing it without difficulty.
If you enjoy songs with a nostalgic, old-fashioned mood, consider adding this one to your repertoire.
