Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]

The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku43rank/position

The Camellia Sasanqua Inn

Eisaku Okawa’s signature song, released in August 1982.

Its deeply expressive vocals and gently painted lyrics create a moving masterpiece.

Okawa’s beautiful voice and delicate phrasing superbly convey a poignant love.

Four months after its release, the song broke into the Oricon Top 10, and from January 1983 it held the No.

2 spot for three consecutive weeks.

With an astonishing total of 1.2 million copies sold, it remains beloved by many as Okawa’s hallmark song.

It’s recommended not only for enka fans, but also for anyone wrestling with love or life.

The heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody are sure to soothe your soul.

grandchildŌizumi Itsurō44rank/position

Itsuro Oizumi / Mago (Grandchild)

The signature song by Itsurō Ōizumi, which sings of a grandfather’s deep love for his grandchild, was released in April 1999 as his major-label debut single and quickly became a massive hit.

From a grandfather’s perspective, it candidly expresses the grandchild’s adorableness and the wish for their growth, resonating with many people.

The piece was created to mark the birth of Ōizumi’s first grandchild, with lyrics penned by his friend Yoshiharu Araki.

It spent 26 consecutive weeks at No.

1 on the Oricon enka chart and sold a total of 1,129,000 copies—an extraordinary level of popularity for enka in the 1990s, to the point of being called a social phenomenon.

The CD opens with the actual voice of his grandchild, giving the work a warm, heartfelt touch.

It’s a recommended song for those who cherish family love and bonds.

the sunShimazu Aya45rank/position

Aya Shimazu “Otentosama” Music Video (Short Ver.)

How about a warm enka song that gently stays by your side in life? It’s a quintessential, classic number powerfully sung by Aya Shimazu.

Released as a single in May 2024.

With lyrics that gently embrace life’s uncertainties and encourage you to be your true self, doesn’t it seep into your heart? Take your time singing it at karaoke and give a supportive push to those listening.

Snow SongKimura Tetsuji46rank/position

Snow Song

This is a work by Tetsuji Kimura that poignantly sings of snow swirling through the air.

While regretting past mistakes, the protagonist discovers renewal and hope, rendered alongside a beautiful melody.

Released in February 2025, this song is Kimura’s third single.

Through depictions of nature—snow, the moon, and the wind—it symbolically expresses the purification and rebirth of the human heart.

For those feeling lost in life, it may serve as a guiding light.

Four o’clock flowerMizumori Kaori47rank/position

Ochiroi-bana · Kaori Mizumori

This is the debut song that became the starting point of Kaori Mizumori’s brilliant career, beloved as the “Queen of Local Songs.” Released in September 1995, the track debuted at No.

3 on the Oricon enka/kayō chart.

It portrays the single-hearted feelings of a woman who wishes to bloom beautifully by the side of the one she loves, likening her heart to a flower blooming at dusk.

Her deeply expressive vocals, carried by a light, string-accented melody, resonate in the heart.

Listening to this piece may revive memories of a once-pure love, and some may find their hearts unexpectedly stirred.

It’s a gentle song that feels as if it softly embraces earnest, devoted affection.

246Sanada Naoki48rank/position

Naoki Sanada “246” Music Video

A high-octane power tune with a razor-edged sound that races ahead! This single by rising enka star Naoki Sanada, released in May 2024, was written and composed by his mentor, Ikuzo Yoshi.

Set on National Route 246, the song portrays an uncertain romance between a man and a woman as they take detours on a drive.

Sanada’s signature “knockout voice” resounds with force, as if blowing away all pent-up frustration.

Perfect for anyone who wants to belt it out and feel totally refreshed!

KoishunkaHayama Mizuki49rank/position

Mizuki Hayama “Koiharuhi” MUSIC VIDEO

It’s such an emotionally rich piece that you can’t help but surrender yourself to the sound of the huqin.

With its fantastical worldview and meticulous vocal delivery, it has a beauty that permeates the listener’s heart.

While the melody is easy on the ears, the lyrics weave in a bittersweet yearning and scenes of spring, drawing you in with their expressive power.

From a technical standpoint, the wide vocal range required—from flowing highs to resonant lows—makes it quite challenging.

Understanding the meaning of the lyrics while singing with deep feeling is no easy task.

It’s a song I especially hope those familiar with enka will take on.