[2026] Amazing If You Can Sing It! Classic Enka Masterpieces [Male Singers Edition]
Everyone, do you sing enka at karaoke?
Enka has many famous songs that are known across all ages and genders, so I’m sure many of you include them in your repertoire.
Of course, the enka genre itself demands advanced vocal skills, but this time we’re introducing difficult enka songs that, in many respects, would definitely make people say “That’s amazing if you can sing it.”
Whether it’s overwhelming long tones, tricky rhythm, or the need for expressive power—if you overcome all these hurdles and pull it off, you’ll be the star of the karaoke session that day.
This article features songs by male singers, but we also have a separate article compiling songs by female singers, so be sure to check that out too!
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
- [2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Male Singers Edition
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- [2026] Amazing if you can sing them! Enka Masterpieces [Women Singers Edition]
- 【2026】Recommended Enka by Male Singers with Captivating High Notes
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs Recommended for Karaoke – Male Singers Edition
- A roundup of male enka singers who represent the Showa era
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Timeless Classics to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition]
- [2026] Recommended for those who find high notes difficult! Enka by male singers that you can sing in a low register
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- [2026] Enka’s Seventh Generation! A roundup of young enka singers
- [Male Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- [2026] All-Time Enka Sales Ranking
[2026] Impressive if You Can Sing Them! Enka Masterpieces [Male Singers Edition] (1–10)
YosakuKitajima Saburō
It’s a song by Saburo Kitajima, known as “Sab-chan,” themed around the harshness of labor and the quiet Japanese landscape, leaving a nostalgic afterglow.
Released in 1978, it portrays the value of work and coexistence with nature through the character “Yosaku,” who seems to symbolize the diligent people once found in Japan’s rural and mountain villages.
Despite its simple lyrics and gentle melody, the memorable refrain that repeatedly calls out Yosaku resonates deeply.
It was used in a Fuji Photo Film commercial in 1997, and later chosen as the ending theme for the 2014 film Thermae Romae II.
It’s a famous song, so many can probably hum along, but if you actually try to sing it, you’ll realize that it demands not only technical skill but also a high level of expressive power.
If you’re confident in your singing, give it a try.
Castle of White CloudsHikawa Kiyoshi
A song marked by an unforgettable, grand melody and emotionally rich lyrics.
Kiyoshi Hikawa’s passionate vocals beautifully capture the fragility of life and the relentless passage of time.
Released in 2003, this track was included on the album “Mata-tabi Enka Meikyoku-sen II,” winning the hearts of enka fans.
If you sing it at karaoke, you’ll need a wide vocal range and powerful expressiveness, but if you immerse yourself in the world of the lyrics, it’s sure to resonate with listeners.
It’s also a recommended piece for those interested in Japanese traditions and culture.
Sake DropletsMioka Shota
The appeal of enka, a genre sung and passed down since long ago, has not faded even in the Reiwa era.
Released in 2020, this song is a labor of love by young enka singer Shota Mitsuoka.
Centered on themes of hometown pride and sibling bonds, it vividly conveys the bittersweet feelings of a protagonist who has left their hometown.
Mitsuoka’s rich, resonant voice turns it into a masterpiece that truly sinks into the listener’s heart.
While it adheres to the classic enka style, it also features modern arrangements, earning support from a wide range of generations.
When singing it at karaoke, take care with the powerful melody and the emotionally expressive lyrics.
If you can sing it with the same feeling as Mitsuoka, you’re sure to be the hero of the day.
[2026] Amazing if You Can Sing These! Classic Enka Songs [Male Singers Edition] (11–20)
marine snowjero
This is the memorable debut single of an enka singer who made a sensational debut.
With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and music by Ryudo Uzaki, it not only became a hit but also set various records for an enka song—a true classic.
The track itself is highly elaborate, blending enka elements with straightforward J-pop-style development and a funky rhythm; within this multifaceted production, you can truly appreciate Jero’s exceptional vocal ability as he delivers a flawless performance.
Beyond the wide vocal range the melody demands, it’s also a very difficult song to sing at karaoke.
Listen to the original repeatedly and practice until the rhythm and melody are ingrained in your body!
Pardon me.Ōe Yutaka
While evoking the tradition of traveling-hero enka, this captivating song also carries a modern breath.
Set to a lively, rhythmic melody, it sings of the wanderer’s resolve and inner conflict, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released in October 2016, the piece drew attention as a work that opened a new frontier for Hiroshi Oe.
If you sing it at karaoke, the key is to ride the rhythm with a light touch while being mindful of a wide vocal range—from powerful low notes to soaring highs.
It’s a song I’d especially recommend to those who feel lost in life or are about to take a new step forward.
HeadlightNiinuma Kenji
In the 1970s, Kenji Niinuma shot to stardom with hit songs like “Yome ni Konai ka.” Known for his overwhelming vocal power and expressive range, one of his signature songs is a classic released in 1977 with lyrics by Yū Aku and music by Hiroshi Tokuhisa.
The lyrics, which liken the feelings of a man and woman leaving Tokyo to the glow of car headlights, symbolically portray a break with the past and hope for the future.
Niinuma’s powerful yet heartrending vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
The song reached No.
12 on the Oricon weekly chart and was performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
If you’re singing it at karaoke, you’ll need considerable practice, as it demands careful expression of subtle emotions as well as strong high notes.
It’s a song I’d especially recommend to anyone standing at a turning point in life.
rime iceHashi Yukio
It’s a classic of Showa-era kayōkyoku that remains beloved by many, a masterpiece released in 1966 that won the 8th Japan Record Award.
The lyrics, inspired by rime ice, beautifully express the poignancy of a lost love.
Yukio Hashi’s powerful yet delicate vocals vividly evoke the cold of winter and a sense of loneliness.
The melody features an arrangement rich in strings, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship typical of 1960s popular songs.
When singing it at karaoke, it’s important to channel deep emotion while keeping in mind Hashi’s excellent vocal projection and expressiveness.
Highly recommended for those carrying the ache of unrequited love, or for anyone who wants to master a classic of Showa-era kayōkyoku.