[For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty

Needless to say, singing enka requires above-standard vocal ability and expressive power, and it also involves enka-specific techniques like kobushi (melodic ornamentation), so it’s anything but easy.

Even people who aren’t very interested in enka will likely think, “This person is a really good singer,” when they hear someone handle enka well at karaoke.

Here, we’ve researched and compiled masterpieces by male singers that are particularly tough to sing—high-difficulty enka songs.

Along with timeless classics, we also include recent hits.

If you’re confident in your singing, we’d love for you to try these at karaoke—so be sure to check them out.

By the way, we’ve also published another article featuring songs by female singers, so don’t miss that one either!

Playlist

[For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi		A famous song by Takashi Hosokawa. The folk-style singing is difficult.
2	Hokkai Port FestivalMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama’s Fisherman’s Anthem, a high-difficulty enka song
3	A Man’s HarborToba Ichirō		A description of Toba Ichiro’s enka vocal techniques themed around life at sea
4	Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa’s famous song with a modern arrangement of the Soran Bushi
5	homesicknessMori Shinichi		Shinichi Mori’s enka masterpiece vividly expresses the poignant feelings of a bittersweet love.
6	Chikumagawa RiverItsuki Hiroshi		Vocal tips for Chikuma River, a signature song by Hiroshi Itsuki
7	Tears and a solitary drinkAoyama Shin		An enka song that expresses the sorrow of losing a lover with deep emotion
8	ancient castleMitsubishi Michiya		An enka classic, highly challenging to sing and beloved through the years
9	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		The debut song of a young enka singer who sings of love for Hokkaido
10	Solo Journey with the Tsugaru ShamisenSaisei		Enka harmonized with Tsugaru shamisen and vocals
11	Drunken SongYoshi Ikuzo		A hit song in a folk style that sings of loneliness in a tavern
12	Motherly bondedoarudo		A moving work that sings of Edoardo's bond with his mother
13	marine snowjero		The appeal and vocal prowess of Jero’s blockbuster enka song
14	Woman of KagaKitajima Saburō		Saburō Kitajima’s Classic Showa-era Enka Songs
15	Mother’s Seaside SongFukuda Kouhei		An enka song portraying the love and encouragement of a mother working on the beach
16	A Man’s LifeKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s classic that sings of life
17	The Northern CliffsYamauchi Keisuke		A song of a woman’s wistful heart carried on the sea breeze