Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]

Maria of the Labyrinthtatsumi yūto8rank/position

Yuto Tatsumi “Maria of the Labyrinth” Music Video

It’s a truly dazzling and glamorous classic that feels as if the atmosphere of the 1970s golden age of Showa pop has been revived in the Reiwa era! It’s the eighth single released in May 2024 by Yuto Tatsumi, one of the leading young enka singers, with lyrics by Goro Matsui, composition by Kohei Sachi, and arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita—industry heavyweights who have crafted a song that fully brings out the sexy charm of Tatsumi, the “prince” of the enka world.

As mentioned, it’s a straightforward, Showa-style pop number, so the melody is easy to remember and it’s definitely the kind of song that will liven up any karaoke session.

The kobushi and vibrato are kept modest, making it easy to sing even for those not skilled in enka techniques.

Let yourself sink into the song’s atmosphere and sing with the mindset of becoming Tatsumi himself!

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KOH-1

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Boat SongYashiro Aki9rank/position

Aki Yashiro / Funauta (Boat Song)

A classic enka masterpiece by Aki Yashiro that portrays the bittersweet feelings of a seafaring man.

Released in May 1979, this work was Yashiro’s 28th single and became widely known when she closed out that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In 1991, it was also used in a commercial song for Sankyo’s digestive medicine, making it beloved across generations.

It’s a recommended number for strong vocalists, but recreating Yashiro’s wistful tone is extremely challenging.

The song demands a wide vocal range from low to high notes and calls for delicate emotional expression, making it a highly difficult piece.

Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo10rank/position

Oh, sake!

Ikuzo Yoshi’s masterpiece “Sake yo.” If you’re asked, “What are Ikuzo Yoshi’s masterpieces besides his comic songs?” this title will almost certainly be the one mentioned most.

This song centers on a sense of withered maturity, suffused with melancholy throughout.

The vocal line matches that mood—very calm, with a touch of kobushi ornamentation, but it doesn’t require complex pitch movement.

It’s also a big hit at karaoke, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi11rank/position

Nostalgic Jonkara

Takashi Hosokawa is known for his naturally expansive high notes and exceptional vocal ability and expressiveness, grounded in a background in folk music.

This work is one of his signature songs, released in 1985—a masterpiece among masterpieces that overwhelms with its striking shamisen tones in the intro and Hosokawa’s folk-influenced singing.

Even an amateur can grasp the difficulty of mastering this song from the very beginning, but the folk-style sections are arguably the toughest part.

That said, the main sections also feature many performances marked by Hosokawa’s trademark powerful high notes and sustained tones, demanding considerable lung capacity.

You’ll likely find it very difficult to keep time in the folk-style parts as well, so listen to the original track repeatedly and train your body to internalize the rhythm and melody.

With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira12rank/position

With a Fiery Heart ☆ Akira Kobayashi

A work notable for its distinctive sound featuring strings, “Atsuki Kokoro ni.” This piece includes few of Akira Kobayashi’s trademark upward-climbing long tones.

Since most of the long tones occur while the melody descends, even those who struggle with upward vibrato can sing it without issue.

It’s a kayōkyoku with a strong pop flavor, and advanced vocal techniques like kobushi do not appear at all.

However, the rhythm at the beginning of the chorus is somewhat irregular, so you’ll need to practice that part thoroughly.

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Ryo

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Chikumagawa RiverItsuki Hiroshi13rank/position

Chikumagawa River

Hiroshi Itsuki, a singer Japan is proud of, has performed numerous beloved national hits.

Among his many classics, Chikumagawa, released in 1975, is one of his signature songs set in Nagano Prefecture.

Sung gracefully over a triple meter, its melody is challenging, spanning a wide range from the low notes of the verse to the high notes of the chorus.

Even Itsuki himself has described it as “not to be sung carelessly.” The key is to convey a rich sense of travel and scenery while taking care not to let the words become muddy in the lower register.

festivalKitajima Saburō14rank/position

Saburo Kitajima “Matsuri” (Official Audio)

Saburo Kitajima is a great enka singer who has left behind many masterpieces.

His distinctive, undulating kobushi and vibrato are especially striking.

Among his songs, the one I particularly recommend is Matsuri.

While the piece is memorable for its low register, it surprisingly spans a range from mid1 A to high C.

However, because the pitch changes within the kobushi are contained within two notes, it is classified as a work with a lower level of difficulty in terms of overall technique.

If you adjust it to your suitable key, it’s not un-singable, so be sure to identify your own vocal range carefully.

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Ryo

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