[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
Enka, which has continued to sing the heart of Japan, has enjoyed unwavering popularity from the Showa era to the present Reiwa period.
In recent years, thanks in part to the resurgence of Showa-era pop songs, classic enka hits have been drawing attention across generations.
So there are surely many people who want to start listening to enka or try singing it at karaoke.
This article is for enka beginners, introducing famous enka songs by male singers that are easy to tackle at karaoke.
While enka does require techniques such as applying vibrato-like kobushi, the songs introduced here are all well-known hits that even beginners are likely to recognize, making it easy to slip into their world.
By the way, we also introduce a version featuring female singers in another article, so be sure to check that out too!
- [Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs Recommended for Karaoke – Male Singers Edition
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
- [2026] Recommended for those who find high notes difficult! Enka by male singers that you can sing in a low register
- [Mighty Guy] A Selection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Akira Kobayashi
- [2026] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Timeless Classics to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition]
- A roundup of male enka singers who represent the Showa era
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- [2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Male Singers Edition
- [Sub-chan] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Saburo Kitajima [2026]
- [Enka] Songs that are easy to sing even for those who are tone-deaf [Female singers edition]
- Enka songs that are easy for men to sing: a roundup of tracks to try at karaoke
- 【2026】Recommended Enka by Male Singers with Captivating High Notes
[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke – Male Singers (41–50)
Headwind InnocenceTakeshima Hiroshi
Released in 2021 and peaking at No.
5 on the Oricon chart, the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō” is a track that showcases Hiroshi Takeshima’s refined vocals and is also known as the theme song for the NHK BS drama “Daifugō Dōshin 2.” With lyrics by Goro Matsui and composition by Takashi Toshimi—both giants in the field—it’s a killer tune that evokes the golden era of Showa-era pop.
Many people will likely want to try it at karaoke.
When singing it at karaoke, be sure to pronounce each word clearly, and consciously create contrast between the crisp, rhythmic parts and the expansive, sustained phrases.
While recreating the choreography that drew attention in the music video, don’t be shy—go all in and sing with bold, stylish flair, even to the point of overdoing it.
[For Beginners] Recommended Classic Enka Songs for Karaoke – Male Singers Edition (51–60)
Dawn DreamTakeshima Hiroshi
Although Dawn’s Dream is positioned as the B-side to the 2015 single Melancholy Story, it’s a popular track with its own music video and the kind of classic that’s sure to get the crowd going at karaoke! It’s an up-tempo number with elements reminiscent of kayōkyoku and GS, and if you enjoy the “dance-inducing kayōkyoku” style that Takeshima later released, you’re certain to love this one.
The song structure has great dynamics, and the melody is very easy to remember and sing, so even if you’re not confident in your singing, try riding the rhythm and singing comfortably first.
moon pillowTakeshima Hiroshi
Tsukimakura, released in May 2017 as a commemorative work for Hiroshi Takeshima’s 15th debut anniversary, became a long-running hit and was later certified Gold Disc.
Created by the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi—who gave rise to the “songs that make you dance (odorasarechau kayōkyoku)” series—it’s a masterpiece that lets you fully savor Takeshima’s refined, elegant vocal charm.
While retaining some enka-like elements, its core is a kayōkyoku-style medium ballad, so those who often sing Showa-era pop in karaoke should be able to handle it smoothly.
That said, delivering a mature, restrained performance without becoming overly emotional—like Takeshima does—is not easy to imitate.
I recommend listening to the original many times to deeply understand the song’s world before giving it a try!
Downtown Innocencetatsumi yūto
True to its catchphrase, “Enka with all its might!”, this is Yuto Tatsumi’s debut song that brought a fresh breeze to the enka world.
When it was released in 2018, Tatsumi was a university student, and the fact that an active college student was debuting as an enka singer drew a great deal of attention.
As the title suggests, it has the feel of a hymn to life, brightly and breezily singing vivid scenes set in a downtown neighborhood.
If you like upbeat, major-key enka, I definitely recommend trying it at karaoke.
The melody is simple and easy to remember, and once you get the basic enka techniques down, there aren’t many complicated vocal runs.
The overall key is on the lower side, so even those who aren’t confident with high notes should find it easy to sing.
It’s also a great choice for enka beginners as a first song to tackle!
Could it be… you?Kouzai Kaori
Kaori Kozai’s masterpiece “Moshiyā… Anta ga,” released in partnership with composers like Keisuke Hama and Toyohisa Araki, is a song that hints at enka flavor—such as through its guitar arpeggios—yet remains fundamentally a pop work.
The kobushi (melodic embellishment) appears only once, on a long tone transitioning from the B section to the chorus.
However, because it strongly emphasizes the “crying song” aspect of pop, solid emotional expression is essential.
The basic vocal line itself is on the easier side, so if you’d like to deliver an emotionally charged vocal performance with a little help from some drinks, this is definitely worth checking out.
In conclusion
Even if you’re new to enka and kayōkyoku, this lineup is packed with timeless classics you’ve probably heard at least once.
As mentioned at the beginning, enka generally demands advanced technique to sing, but when it’s a song you know, you might be surprised at how good it feels to sing.
Start by picking a favorite from the songs introduced here and give it a try!