[2026] Recent hit enka songs: must-watch popular kayō tracks

Last Train to the NorthAran

Alan 'Final Northbound Flight' Music Video

Alan, known for his strikingly deep, rich voice.

Hailing from Hokkaido and having studied under composer Akihiro Otani, he is a seasoned talent who won numerous song contests even before his debut.

His memorable debut single, “Kitaguni Saishūbin” (The Last Flight North), was released in September 2025.

Set in an airport, the song expresses an unshakable longing for a departing lover.

The poignant scene of entrusting love to the last flight disappearing into the night sky is portrayed with a melody that blends sprightliness and wistful melancholy.

roost; nest (where birds sleep). Also used figuratively for a place to stay or sleep.Tani Ryusuke

[Full MV] Ryusuke Tani “Negura” [Official]

Ryusuke Tani is an enka singer from Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture.

He once chased a dream of becoming a professional baseball player and even made it to the final round of tryouts.

In 2018, he won the Best Vocal Performance Award at a song festival hosted by the Japan Singers Association, a testament to his proven talent.

Marking the 20th anniversary of his debut is this song.

It’s the third installment in a series produced by Ikuzo Yoshi, unfolding a worldview that portrays the life of a slightly mischievous man.

Tani’s straightforward, powerful vocals blend perfectly with the song’s rugged storytelling, truly moving the listener.

If you enjoy authentic, masculine enka, be sure to give it a listen.

Showa-era manToba Ichirō

Ichiro Toba “Showa no Otoko” MUSIC VIDEO

Enka singer Ichiro Toba, who has long sung of the spirit of “men of the sea.” As its title suggests, “Showa no Otoko” is a classic enka number that portrays the way of life of a man who ran straight through the Showa era.

The protagonist, clumsy yet unwavering in his convictions and walking through life with sincerity, is brought to life by Toba’s powerful yet warm vocals.

Toba himself has said he poured his strong feelings for his father, who survived the Showa era, into the song—and you can feel that intensity resonating in his voice.

Perfect for those who want to hear a song about a man with an unshakable backbone, or when you want to touch the heart of good old Japan.

Reminiscence ~Though I depart, my heart remains~Isogawa Yuki

Yuki Isokawa “Reminiscence ~Though I Depart, My Heart Remains~” MUSIC VIDEO

This song was created out of the profound inspiration drawn from the Super Kabuki production Yamato Takeru.

Yukii Isogawa’s 15th single, Reminiscence ~Though I Depart, My Heart Remains~, was released in September 2025.

It is a sweeping tale centered on the selfless love of Oto Tachibana-hime from Japanese mythology.

With resonant, weighty strings and sacred bell tones, it dramatically portrays the prayer of a woman who offers her life for the one she loves.

You’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world that could be called “mythic enka.” If you love grand ballads, be sure to check it out.

acting like a handsome guyYoshi Ikuzo

Ikuzo Yoshi “Pretending to Be a Handsome Guy” [Official] | Full Chorus MV

Ikuzo Yoshi is known for his versatile musicality that extends beyond enka to include even rap.

“Nimaime Kidori” is a single released in September 2025, and a long-awaited work that reunites him with his close ally, composer Makoto Sugimoto, for the first time in 13 years since 2012’s “Sono Mukashi.” It vividly portrays the raw, inescapably human clumsiness and bittersweet sorrow lurking behind a man who puts on airs and tries to look cool.

A masterpiece that conveys the astringency of life, its seasoned vocals resonate deeply in the heart.