Queen of Local Songs: Kaori Mizumori's Easy-to-Sing Tracks
Among female enka singers, Kaori Mizumori stands out as an especially catchy presence, loved by many fans.
When people think of enka, it often requires a very high level of vocal ability—but Kaori Mizumori is different.
Many of the enka songs she performs are catchy numbers that even those without strong singing skills can hum along to and sing together.
This time, we’ve selected some of Kaori Mizumori’s songs that are especially easy to sing.
Be sure to read to the end and find the tracks that suit you!
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- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
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[Queen of Local Songs] Kaori Mizumori’s Easy-to-Sing Tracks (1–10)
Sanriku ElegyMizumori Kaori
When you think of Kaori Mizumori, her warm enka style is memorable, but she also has some powerful songs.
Among them, I especially recommend “Sanriku Banka.” The vocal range is a bit wide and there are many strong sections, but there aren’t any shout-like, raspy power vocals, so anyone with a reasonable range should be able to sing it without issue.
It also features relatively few kobushi (melismatic enka ornamentation), so consider adding it to your repertoire.
Shinano RoadMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori’s signature song “Shinanoji.” As the title suggests, it’s a local-themed song about Nagano Prefecture and has gained nationwide popularity.
While it is authentic enka, it features many catchy vocal lines throughout, and there are no kobushi ornaments that require pitch movement of three or more notes.
Instead, the chorus includes fairly high notes, so proper key adjustment is necessary.
If you still can’t hit the high parts, one option is to raise the key and sing them in falsetto.
Akashi StraitMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori’s famous song “Akashi Kaikyō” is memorable for its wistful, melancholy melody.
Set against the tourist spot Akashi Strait in the Seto Inland Sea, the piece is characterized by a deeply heartrending sense of pathos.
Although the song has a slightly wide vocal range, it doesn’t feature the repeated 2–3-note up-and-down ornamentation (kobushi), and overall it’s arranged with an easy-to-sing vocal line.
If you find the falsetto parts tough, we recommend lowering the key; conversely, if your low notes become hard to produce, try raising the key to a point where the falsetto is easier to sing.
[Queen of Local Songs] Kaori Mizumori's Easy-to-Sing Tracks (11–20)
Kumano KodoMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori’s famous song “Kumano Kodo,” set along the pilgrimage route that spans Mie, Nara, Wakayama, and Osaka, is a piece where the essence of enka truly bursts forth, with a relatively high number of kobushi (ornamental scoops).
The vocal range is wide, so it may seem somewhat difficult.
In reality, however, there are no kobushi that require leaps of more than three notes, and there are no sustained high notes, making it unexpectedly easy to sing.
If you’re fairly familiar with enka, you should be able to perform it without any trouble.
Lovers’ CapeMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori’s classic “Koibito Misaki” (“Lovers’ Cape”).
This piece spotlights Shizuoka Prefecture and beautifully portrays a couple in love against the backdrop of Mt.
Fuji.
Its biggest charm is, above all, the singable vocal line.
Enka often features complex rises and falls in pitch along with demanding kobushi (melismatic ornamentation), but this song keeps both to a minimum.
Leaning more toward kayōkyoku (Japanese pop ballad) than pure enka, it’s very easy to sing for those who struggle with kobushi.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Omi IslandMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori’s classic “Oumijima” is memorable for its lyrics that express, with heartbreaking intensity, the emotions of a woman after a broken romance.
Set on Omi Island in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the piece is crafted with an exceptionally poignant melody.
Although the dynamics are dramatic, it contains no kobushi that would require complex pitch bends, resulting in a vocal line that’s easy to sing throughout.
If you’re reasonably accustomed to singing enka, you should be able to handle the vocal line without trouble—so consider adding it to your repertoire.
Teshio RiverMizumori Kaori
Kaori Mizumori’s song “Teshio River” is themed around the Teshio River in Hokkaido.
Among her works, this piece is marked by a particularly serious melody and, unusually for her, features a powerful vocal delivery.
That said, the power doesn’t come from raspy, shout-like vocals; rather, it uses a hiccup-like technique that flips the voice, so it isn’t all that difficult.
The kobushi (ornamental pitch turns) also stay within rises and falls of about two to three notes, making it a song that’s easy to sing from every standpoint.