[Male Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
I want to spend New Year’s Eve relaxing while watching NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen! This national year-end music show in Japan has seen its lineup of artists and bands—and overall trends—change since it began in 1951, but enka singers still play a major role.
In this article, we’re highlighting male enka singers who have performed on Kouhaku.
From legends to rising stars, we’ll introduce renowned vocalists who lit up Kouhaku in the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa eras.
Enjoy them along with their signature songs!
- A roundup of male enka singers who represent the Showa era
- [Female Singers Edition] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen
- [2026] Idol-Worthy! A Roundup of Handsome Male Enka Singers
- [Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 40s: enka artists you can’t afford to miss right now
- [2026] Compilation of Enka Singers from Kumamoto
- [2026] A roundup of enka singers from Niigata
- [2026] Enka Singer from Tohoku
- [2026] Enka’s Seventh Generation! A roundup of young enka singers
- [2026] Amazing If You Can Sing It! Classic Enka Masterpieces [Male Singers Edition]
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 70s: legendary vocalists who support the enka world
- [Treasure of Powerful Enka] Takashi Hosokawa’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
- Roundup of male enka singers in their 50s: masters who are active at the heart of the enka world
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
[Male Singers] The face of New Year’s Eve! Enka singers who appeared on the Kohaku Uta Gassen (11–20)
Brother ShipsToba Ichirō
Ichiro Toba has been a leading figure in the enka world for many years.
He’s known for his distinctive, fisherman-style singing and songs themed around the sea and the fishing industry.
He has appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen 20 times and is so popular that 12 monuments featuring his lyrics have been erected across Japan.
His powerful performances, which give voice to the spirit and bonds of fishing professionals, have captured the hearts of many fans.
His sons are also active in entertainment, and together they energize the enka scene as a family.
Toba is deeply committed to social contribution as well, including support for children orphaned by maritime accidents and visits to prisons.
He is recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone seeking a singer full of humanity.
Snow Migratory BirdsMinami Haruo
Haruo Minami, who debuted in 1957, was a towering figure in enka who gained popularity with his unique style that fused rōkyoku narrative singing and popular songs.
His debut single “Chanchiki Okesa” was a huge hit, and he cemented his status as a truly national singer by performing theme songs for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and the 1970 Osaka Expo.
Minami received numerous honors, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette (Fourth Class), and a Special Award from the Japan Record Awards.
With a distinctive vocal style rooted in rōkyoku and a commanding presence in traditional Japanese attire, Minami’s songs are perfect for those who love Japan’s traditions.
And, KobeMaekawa Kiyoshi
Since his debut in 1970 with “Kokoro no Kori,” Kiyoshi Maekawa has captivated many fans with his unique style that fuses enka and pop.
He has produced numerous hit songs such as “Soshite, Kobe” and “Iroha Uta,” and boasts an extensive list of accolades including the Japan Record Award and the Gold Disc Award.
Beginning his musical career in the late 1960s, Maekawa is known for his warm vocals and profound lyrics.
While preserving the traditions of enka, he has continued to win support across generations with songs that incorporate elements of pop and folk.
He is an artist not only for enka enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in kayōkyoku and Shōwa-era popular music.
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
Mr.
Hideo Murata, known as a giant in the enka world, was discovered by Masao Koga and made his debut as a singer in 1958 with “Muhomatsu no Issho,” though it initially failed to attract much attention.
However, his November 1961 release “Osho” became the first postwar million-seller, catapulting him to stardom.
The following year, he received the Special Award at the 4th Japan Record Awards, firmly establishing his status as a singer.
With his powerful voice and manly presence, Murata captivated many fans and, in the late 1960s, appeared in numerous Toei yakuza films.
He excelled not only as a singer but also as an actor, showcasing his multifaceted talent.
He also made many appearances on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, truly earning the title of “the face of New Year’s Eve.”
A Man’s Departure by ShipKitayama Takeshi
Takeshi Kitayama, known as a disciple of Saburo Kitajima, a leading figure in the enka world.
He debuted in 1990 with “Tsunbosen,” and in 2005 he scored a hit with what became one of his signature songs.
He has since won numerous music awards, including the Planning Award at the 60th Japan Record Awards in 2008, continuing to thrive as a highly skilled enka singer.
Kitayama’s vocals are praised for combining ease of listening with power, and for his acclaimed ability to convey the human warmth and emotions embedded in the lyrics.
In 2018, he formed the duo Kitajima Brothers with Hiroshi Oe, also a member of the Kitajima family, pursuing new forms of enka.
He has broadened his activities across multiple fields, appearing on television, radio, and in films.
Crimson ButterflyYamauchi Keisuke
Keisuke Yamauchi, born in 1981 in Fukuoka Prefecture, made his debut in 2000 with “Kijō.” He has continued to pursue a new style of enka, drawing attention for a unique musicality that incorporates elements of pop, jazz, and classical music.
He broke through with “Kaikyō Ujō” in 2002, and went on to release hit songs such as “Koisuru Machikado” and “Fūrenko.” In 2014, he reached the top 10 on the Oricon charts with “Koi no Tehon,” and the following year made his first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
At the 57th Japan Record Awards in 2015, he received the Japan Composer’s Association Award, among other accolades recognizing his talent.
Yamauchi’s vocals, unbound by the traditional framework of enka, are recommended not only for enka fans but also for music listeners across a wide range of generations.
Male Singers Edition: New Year’s Eve Icons! Enka Singers Who Performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen (21–30)
grandchildŌizumi Itsurō
Itsuro Oizumi, who hails from Yamagata Prefecture, has an unusual background, wearing two hats as both a cherry farmer and an enka singer.
He honed his skills in the world of folk music, winning the Tohoku/Hokkaido Minyo Grand Prize in 1977 and the Prime Minister’s Award from the Japan Folk Song Association in 1980.
After releasing a major-label work with Teichiku in 1999, he appeared on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen the following year and garnered numerous honors, including the Japan Record Award for Excellence and a Special Award at the Japan Gold Disc Awards.
His greatest appeal lies in his solid, resilient voice forged through folk traditions and his warm lyrical world rooted in the perspective of everyday life.
Inspired by his eldest son’s battle with illness, he has made supporting the bone marrow bank his life’s work and continues to hold charity concerts—an approach that resonates deeply.