![[For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wiB7Fbobxpc/sddefault.jpg)
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 Classic Enka Songs for Karaoke – Male Singers (1–10)
Northern SpringSen Masao
It’s a classic enka song that portrays the feelings of a city dweller nostalgic for their hometown.
The imagery is wonderful—you can almost see the northern spring landscapes with white birches, Japanese kerria blossoms, and a watermill.
Released in April 1977, this piece achieved the remarkable feat of being performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen three years in a row.
If you sing it at karaoke, I recommend picturing the scenes in the lyrics and filling your voice with the sentiment of longing for home.
Prioritize gentle, heartfelt expression over sheer power.
Even if you’re not used to singing, the melody is easy to remember, so it’s a comfortable song to try.
It’s perfect for those living away from their hometown or anyone who wants to recall familiar, nostalgic landscapes.
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo
A signature song by Ikuzo Yoshi that movingly portrays the feelings of a man drinking alone.
Released in September 1988, it won the Grand Prix at the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards and has long been cherished as a classic enka number.
Yoshi’s deep vocals blend perfectly with the wistful melody, creating a piece that resonates with listeners.
It has also been performed twice on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, earning wide popularity.
When trying it at karaoke, pay attention to Yoshi’s distinctive vocal projection and emotive expression.
It’s recommended to sing it gently while imagining a scene of reflecting on life over a drink.
North TavernHosokawa Takashi
A song set in a northern-country tavern that portrays a man and woman’s meeting and the beginning of their romance.
It features a lively rhythm and pop elements, giving it an appeal that transcends the boundaries of enka.
Released in March 1982, it became a massive hit after being performed on the TV show “Kin-chan no Doko Made Yaru no!” It won the Japan Record Award that same year and was also performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
When singing it at karaoke, the key is to savor the emotionally rich lyrics while riding the light tempo.
It’s approachable even for beginners to enka, and it’s a song you can enjoy singing while soaking in the atmosphere of a tavern.
Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō
A classic song that depicts the harsh northern landscapes and a bittersweet love, it is one of Yujiro Ishihara’s signature works.
The protagonist’s feelings as he travels through Kushiro, Hakodate, and Otaru are woven together with a wistful melody.
Released as a single in August 1987, it was also used as an insert song for the TV Asahi drama “Seibu Keisatsu.” Ishihara’s distinctive low voice is captivating, and the song is popular for karaoke.
Even beginners will find it easy to sing thanks to its relaxed tempo and straightforward melody.
Why not picture the great northern land and take your time singing it?
Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi
It’s no exaggeration to call this song one of the signature works of Hiroshi Itsuki, the singer-songwriter Japan is proud of.
Released in 1984, it’s a regional song set in Gifu Prefecture and became a major hit.
Skillfully depicting the scenery of the Nagara River and the bittersweetness of a one-night romance, the piece resonates with lyrics woven in beautiful Japanese and an emotionally rich melody.
Starting with an intro marked by an evocative shamisen tone, the story unfolds through Itsuki’s soaring vocals.
The song garnered numerous music awards, including the Grand Prize at the 26th Japan Record Awards.
It’s relatively easy to sing and recommended for newcomers to enka; when trying it at karaoke, listen closely to Itsuki’s performance and sing with heartfelt expression—that’s the key.
The Northern LandKitajima Saburō
It’s a classic enka song that portrays the vast nature of Hokkaido and the people who live there.
Saburo Kitajima’s powerful voice beautifully captures Hokkaido’s scenery—like the Yezo spruce forests, lily of the valley, and rugosa roses.
Released in January 1991, it won the Grand Prize in the Enka/Kayōkyoku category at the 33rd Japan Record Awards that same year.
It was also used as the commercial song for Kowa’s “Una Kowa,” helping it gain widespread recognition.
This work has long been cherished as one of Kitajima’s signature songs.
It’s approachable even for beginners to enka, and if you sing it at karaoke, why not deliver it with strength and a heartfelt love for Hokkaido?
In a dreamKobayashi Akira
Akira Kobayashi, beloved by people of all ages for his strikingly memorable singing voice and acting, recorded this song with lyrics by Yu Aku and music by Koichi Morita.
Released in 1978, it was used as the theme song for TV dramas such as “Edo Professional: Hissatsu Shōbainin.” Its appeal lies in lyrics that delicately depict the transience of life and the love between men and women, paired with a wistful melody.
When tackling it at karaoke, it’s good to channel Kobayashi’s powerful yet deeply expressive singing style.
This is a classic that even beginners to enka will find approachable, so why not give it a try?