[2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Male Singers Edition
When it comes to enka, there’s an image that only truly skilled singers can pull it off.
Of course, there are relatively easy songs as well, and enka is a very popular genre at karaoke.
This time, we’ve put together a list of classic enka songs that are difficult to sing, aimed at those who are fairly accustomed to singing enka.
Beyond the genre’s signature techniques—like vibrato and kobushi (ornamental turns)—these songs demand high expressive ability, including handling wide vocal ranges.
In this article, we introduce masterpieces by male enka singers, but we also feature difficult-to-sing classics by female singers in another piece, so be sure to check that out as well.
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs Recommended for Karaoke – Male Singers Edition
- [2026] Amazing If You Can Sing It! Classic Enka Masterpieces [Male Singers Edition]
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- 【2026】Difficult Enka Songs to Sing — Women Singers Edition
- 【2026】Recommended Enka by Male Singers with Captivating High Notes
- [2026] Recommended for those who find high notes difficult! Enka by male singers that you can sing in a low register
- [Men] Enka Songs That Can Score High in Karaoke
- Enka songs that are easy for men to sing: a roundup of tracks to try at karaoke
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
- [2026] Representative Famous Enka Songs: A Compilation of Classic Favorites [Beginner-Friendly]
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
- Men’s enka: a collection of classic songs portraying the way men live and their fighting spirit
- [2026] A roundup of classic enka and kayōkyoku masterpieces: male-male duets
[2026] Enka Songs That Are Hard to Sing – Male Singers Edition (1–10)
Donko-zakaMiyama Hiroshi
The timeless appeal of enka and kayōkyoku that’s been passed down through generations remains unchanged even in the Reiwa era.
“Donkozaka,” by Hiroshi Miyama—one of the leading enka singers since the late 2000s—was released in 2023 and stands as a new enka masterpiece born in Reiwa.
Miyama’s signature “vitamin voice” gently stays close to the listener’s heart, moving you to tears with a hymn to life that seems to watch over the journey of a married couple or lovers.
With a wide vocal range and considerable leaps up and down in pitch, it naturally demands strong singing ability.
That said, as a classic, straight-ahead enka number, those familiar with the genre shouldn’t find it too difficult.
Since the overall pitch sits on the lower side, if it feels too low for you, consider adjusting the key.
Dream PlayUmezawa Fumio
Umezawa Tomio, who became an overnight star for his superb onnagata performances that earned him the nickname “Tamasaburō of the downtown,” has in recent years also become a household favorite through appearances on variety shows, achieving nationwide recognition.
Many younger people, who mainly know him from those variety shows, may not realize that he actually had hits as a singer as well.
Yume Shibai, his debut single with lyrics and music by the renowned Ogura Kei, was released in 1982 and became an instant smash, even being performed at that year’s 34th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The moment the clapper sound in the intro—said to have been struck by Umezawa himself—rings out, you’re drawn right into the world of the song.
Although it’s a track by an actor whose main profession isn’t singing, Umezawa’s rich, deep voice and assured vocal skill are outstanding.
The overall pitch sits very low, so those who struggle with low notes would do well to adjust the key.
You’ll find when you actually try singing it that the range is unexpectedly wide, and riding the rhythm—more in the kayōkyoku style than straight enka—makes this melody relatively challenging.
Listen to the original many times, and give it a strong, spirited rendition!
Even if it costs my lifeMori Shinichi
This is a smash hit by Shinichi Mori, featuring an irresistibly moody, wistful saxophone in the intro.
Released in 1967, “Inochi Karatemo” is said to be Mori’s first million-selling single.
In 1968, a kayō (popular song) film based on the song was released with Tatsuo Umemiya in the lead, and it has remained a classic in enka history, continually covered by many singers.
Unsurprisingly, it’s also a staple in karaoke.
While “Inochi Karatemo” may sound like it’s being sung with effortless ease, actually performing it is quite challenging: it takes Mori’s innate husky voice—blending melancholy and allure—along with his exceptional vocal technique and expressive power.
Be sure to master essential enka techniques like vibrato, and practice delivering the wide-ranging melody without becoming overly constrained by the rhythm, yet without losing it either.
As an aside, women who’d like to try this song at karaoke might consider choosing the cover versions by Keiko Fuji or Aki Yashiro.
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi
The moment you hear this song, your body just starts moving and you slip into a bon dance… Surely there are many people like that.
Even in the Reiwa era, the classic hit “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi,” wildly popular across all ages as a bon dance staple, is a signature 2000s enka piece released in 2002 by Kiyoshi Hikawa, the “Prince of Enka,” and it became a huge hit.
Many people probably sing it at karaoke, but in fact, when you actually try to sing it, it’s quite difficult due to the tricky intonation and wide vocal range it requires.
The rhythm itself is familiar to Japanese listeners, and above all, rather than overthinking it, I recommend just enjoying yourself to the fullest—ride the distinctive phrasing and rhythm of the traditional “Zundoko-bushi” passed down since the Showa era, and sing your heart out!
Motherly bondedoarudo
Edoardo, born in São Paulo, Brazil, is active as the first Brazilian singer in the enka world.
Like Jero, once called the “Black Ship of the enka world,” Edoardo has inherited the spirit of enka in flawless Japanese, and many people were astonished when they first heard his wonderful singing.
Edoardo’s “Haha Kizuna” is his memorable debut song, released in 2015.
With lyrics that reflect the lives of Edoardo and his mother-in-law, along with his superb vocals, the song resonated with listeners’ hearts and became a long-selling classic.
The melody showcases Edoardo’s vocal prowess, effortlessly spanning from a rich, resonant low register to powerful high notes; it’s not an easy piece, so we encourage those who are fairly accustomed to enka to give it a try.
In particular, for the long sustained note at the end of the chorus, sing with deep emotion, using vibrato while carefully keeping your pitch and rhythm steady.