[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 Edition: New Year’s Eve Icons! Enka Singers Who Performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen (21–30)
Dream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirō
Jiro Atsumi, known as one of the Showa era’s representative enka singers, made his debut in 1976 with “Kawaii Omae” and shot to stardom with “Yume Oi Sake.” He won the Long-Seller Award at the 1979 Japan Record Awards and made his first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen that same year.
He went on to release numerous hit songs, including “Wasurete Hoshii” and “Tanin-zake,” cementing his status as a leading male enka singer.
In 1989, he overcame scirrhous-type gastric cancer and chronicled that experience in his autobiography “Namida no Hana.” Drawing on his days as an itinerant enka performer, his concerts—featuring a repertoire of over 1,000 songs and instrumental performances—continue to captivate many fans to this day.
A Woman’s LifeKoda Shin
Shin Koda, who sang of the way of life itself, shone in the soul-stirring world of enka.
His 1989 debut song, “Otoko Doushi,” remains etched in many people’s memories as his signature piece.
Pouring unforgettable passion into his music, he delivered a powerful performance of “Yume Ichido” at the 45th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1994, captivating every viewer.
However, in 2012 he retired from the entertainment industry due to a vocal disorder and decided to pursue a new path.
After working as a chef, he took another step forward in 2018 as the Buddhist monk “Tesshin Koun,” and he continues to share his rich singing voice to this day.
In conclusion
Not only each individual stage, but also the lavish productions and artist collaborations make NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen impossible to look away from.
In recent years, young enka singers known as the “Seventh Generation” have appeared as well, making it a rare program where you can enjoy both the voices of venerable masters—living encyclopedias of enka—and rising talents all at once.
It will no doubt continue to enliven New Year’s Eve in Japan for years to come.