[2026] A roundup of enka singers from Niigata

When you think of Niigata Prefecture, you think of a snowy region with the fifth-largest land area in Japan.

It’s variously grouped with the Chubu region, the Kanto-Koshinetsu area, the Hokuriku region, and even, according to some views, the Tohoku region—testament to just how expansive it is.

Niigata has also inspired many classic enka and kayōkyoku songs, such as Kenichi Mikawa’s “Niigata Blues,” Hibari Misora’s “Hibari no Sado Jōwa,” and “Yuki Tsubaki” by Sachiko Kobayashi, a star born in Niigata.

In this article, we’ll spotlight enka singers from Niigata Prefecture, introducing a wide range of artists from up-and-coming talents to seasoned veterans all at once!