Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]

Enka, which has long been passed down as a song close to the hearts of the Japanese people, remains deeply popular even today.

This time, we present a ranking of popular enka singers who perform this beloved genre.

From nationally renowned stars to lesser-known artists cherished by dedicated fans, a wide range of singers have made the list—be sure to give them a listen.

Playlist

Popular Enka Singers Ranking [2026]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	A Love Like Ephemeral LightSakishima Jun		Jun Sakishima's lyrical love songs
2	Grazioso LoveMegumi Sakino		The debut song of the graceful Megumi Sakino
3	Headwind InnocenceTakeshima Hiroshi		Sing Takeshima Hiroshi’s hit songs with emotion
4	Rhapsody at MidnightMatsushima Mami		Asami Matsushima’s New Song: Night’s Madness and Love
5	AfterglowYamauchi Keisuke		A moody Hachiroku-style masterpiece by Keisuke Yamauchi
6	I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi		A classic song by Fuyumi Sakamoto that has deepened in love over many years
7	Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri		Amagi-goe, a masterpiece of enka, challenging vocal techniques
8	Maria of the Labyrinthtatsumi yūto		Yuuto Tatsumi's new song in the style of Showa-era kayōkyoku
9	Boat SongYashiro Aki		Aki Yashiro’s enka masterpiece, served as the final headliner at the Kouhaku (NHK New Year’s Eve) show
10	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		Yoshi Ikuzo’s masterpiece “Sake”: a withered masterpiece steeped in melancholy
11	Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi		A famous song by Takashi Hosokawa. The folk-style singing is difficult.
12	With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira		A featureless song by Akira Kobayashi; pay attention to the rhythm in the chorus.
13	Chikumagawa RiverItsuki Hiroshi		Vocal tips for Chikuma River, a signature song by Hiroshi Itsuki
14	festivalKitajima Saburō		Saburo Kitajima’s “Matsuri” is a low-register piece, but its difficulty level is low.
15	Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko		An enka masterpiece that sings of alcohol and love
16	Hanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiHikawa Kiyoshi		Kiyoshi Hikawa's debut song, a matabi enka (itinerant-traveler enka)
17	Let’s call it good with this.Mikawa Ken’ichi		Kenichi Mikawa: A Life-Affirming Song for the 60th Anniversary
18	Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaori		Kaori Kozai's early enka songs are easy to sing.
19	Kawachi Otoko-bushiNakamura Mitsuko		Mitsuko Nakamura’s famous song “Kawachi Otoko Bushi.” He…
20	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s masterpiece, whose view of life and beautiful melody are moving
21	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		Enka masterpieces that heal the pain of heartbreak
22	Nanukamachi HanakojiAsō Chigusa		An enka song praising Yamagata's local pride
23	Premonition of PartingTeresa Ten		“Premonition of Parting” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
24	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Cape Erimo is an easy-to-sing enka song.
25	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		Introduction of the debut song by a singer from a fisherman's family
26	And, KobeMaekawa Kiyoshi		“And then, Kobe” was, in November 1972, dom…
27	America BridgeYamakawa Yutaka		The America Bridge is a fusion of Showa-era kayōkyoku and pop music.
28	A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji		He made Joji Yamamoto a household name nationwide…
29	Hokkai Port FestivalMiyama Hiroshi		Hiroshi Miyama’s Fisherman’s Anthem, a high-difficulty enka song
30	Northern SpringSen Masao		“Hokkokuno Haru” became a mega hit song
31	Shirakami-SanchiNagayama Yōko		Yoko Nagayama’s Tsugaru-shamisen songs are popular.
32	Kamuro-zaka in the chill of cherry-blossom seasonNahomi		An enka piece that weaves a wistful love on a cherry-blossom-dancing slope
33	Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki		Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic “Nirinso” is a masterpiece of enka.
34	Women’s FestivalIchikawa Yukino		Yukino Ichikawa’s debut song has the theme of a women’s mikoshi (portable shrine).
35	Woman of ShinjukuFuji Keiko		The Appeal and Vocal Techniques of Keiko Fuji’s Debut Song
36	Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimi		Yoshimi Tendo's 'Dotonbori Ninjō' is easy to sing.
37	Snow FlowerFuji Ayako		The enka song in which Ikuzo Yoshi and Aya Fukuda co-starred
38	Enduring RainGodai Natsuko		Natsuko Godai’s signature song “Shinobu Ame” (Enduring Rain)
39	It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		A song commentary by Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five that introduces methods for practicing enka
40	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		A masterpiece that captures the subtleties of life, by Ms. Chiyoko Shimakura...
41	Kazahana CapeIshihara Junko		I recommend Junko Ishihara’s somber song “Fubuki Misaki.”
42	Men’s Festival SongFukuda Kouhei		A powerful festival song with Japanese taiko drums, a track that gives you energy.
43	The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku		Eisaku Okawa’s signature song released in August 1982
44	grandchildŌizumi Itsurō		Yoshio Oizumi’s signature song about a grandfather’s love for his grandchild
45	the sunShimazu Aya		Let Aya Shimazu’s warm enka give you a push
46	Snow SongKimura Tetsuji		A Song of Renewal and Hope in the Snow
47	Four o’clock flowerMizumori Kaori		The appeal of Kaori Mizumori’s debut song
48	246Sanada Naoki		An enka song depicting a love story while driving along National Route 246
49	KoishunkaHayama Mizuki		A song that touches the heart with the sound of the kokyu and powerful vocals
50	Rainy Harbor StationHanasaki Yukimi		Yukimi Hanasaki's new enka song depicting a farewell in a port town
51	Our LullabyToba Ichirō · Yutaka Yamakawa		A song of familial love woven by a brother duo
52	Okesa migratory birdOka Midori		A former idol makes her debut in enka, and the contrast is generating buzz.
53	Sinful LoveFutami Souichi		Soichi Futami, an enka ballad depicting a mature romance
54	Flowers of TsugaruHarada Yuuri		Spring in Tsugaru: the regeneration of life and new hope
55	Shigure Moon in KinosakiŌe Yutaka		An enka song set in Kinosaki Onsen that laments lingering attachment after a farewell.
56	Yugiri PortMori Konomi		Konomi Mori’s new song: the bittersweet love of a port town
57	Kanazawa Nostalgia SongMatsubara Takeshi		Takeyuki Matsubara’s classic song sings the heart of Kanazawa.
58	YukoYūji Matsuo		Yushi Matsuo’s heartwarming enka of love
59	As I am in love…Akimoto Junko		A husky-voiced classic becomes an unusual hit
60	What are you doing tonight?Junretsu		A passionate adult song composed by Kōsetsu Minami
61	selfish womanAoyama Shin		A blues kayō depicting Arata Aoyama’s feelings of love
62	Back Alley Fireflieskoori kenta		Kenta Koori, the famous song that likens feelings of love to fireflies
63	Great Catch Festivalsakuramaya		Maya Sakura makes her debut as the youngest enka singer in history
64	marine snowjero		The appeal and vocal prowess of Jero’s blockbuster enka song
65	ancient castleMitsubishi Michiya		An enka classic, highly challenging to sing and beloved through the years
66	Person Sought in the NorthNakazawa Takuya		Takuya Nakazawa’s emotion-filled enka song
67	freezing rainKayama Akio		A Showa-era classic that sings of the bittersweet feelings of heartbreak
68	Moon of lingering coldKitada Emi		An emotional, passionate enka song by a female farmer-singer
69	Hydrangea BridgeJōnouchi Sanae		A classic enka song that poignantly sings of the rainy season, and...
70	I long for Southern HokkaidoKoyama Yudai		A moving debut song that sings of longing for one’s hometown
71	That girl is dotchicchi.Eya Masashi		A coming-of-age song that portrays the ache of love
72	freezing rainHino Mika		A quintessential enka song depicting heartbreak and winter rain
73	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō		A beloved classic that has long been cherished as a representative masterpiece of the enka world...
74	Come back.Matsumura Kazuko		Kazuko Matsumura’s representative work of rock-style enka
75	wintering swallowMori Masako		Masako Mori’s classic masterpiece that sings of a heartrending love.
76	Secret FireflyNagai Miyuki		Miyuki Nagai’s enka song that overlays fireflies with feelings of love
77	hesitationNagatsuki Akari		A moving ballad that portrays a farewell at the airport
78	TATSUYATanaka Aimi		Tanaka Aimi’s powerful vocal ability and expressiveness
79	Nyōnin KōyaTagawa Toshi-mi		Toshimi Tagawa’s classic song “Nyonin Koya” captivates with its emotionally rich vocals.
80	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		A gem of a song that portrays Yujiro Ishihara’s lost love
81	Johana Hikiyama FestivalAoi Kawori		Song for the Jōhana Festival theme
82	Melancholy PierNomura Mina		Singing of a port town’s scenery and a woman’s heartrending feelings.
83	Not even worth confessingKitahara Mirei		A shocking song—the song of iron bars—was etched into my heart.
84	Alone on the Kuji RiverYajima Akiyo		A poignant enka love song set on the Kuji River
85	Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao		Takayama Gen’s enka song “Kokoro Koorasete” left a significant mark on the Heisei-era music scene.
86	Withered Pampas Grass of the Showa Erasakura to ichirō		A hit song that captured the melancholy of the Showa era became a massive success
87	The rough waves of womenKimu Yonja		The moving life enka of singer Kim Yonja
88	one-way ticketKitayama Takeshi		The debut song, an enka number, ranked high and paved the way for later success.
89	White StraitŌtsuki Miyako		Miyako Ōtsuki’s popular TV drama theme songs
90	Michinoku Silver Mountain, Tears of Snowyamaguchi hiromi		Hiromi Yamaguchi, a heartbreak enka at Ginzan Onsen
91	signpostYamanishi Akari		An anthem of encouragement that gives you courage at the crossroads of life
92	Sakura, sakuraHattori Hiroko		Hiroko Hattori’s pop kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
93	king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo		A Showa-era classic, singing of a man's pride and dreams
94	Woman’s DepartureMatsubara Nobue		Matsubara, who brought a fresh breeze to the world of enka...
95	Strings of TearsTonosama Kingusu		A representative work of the enka boom became a major hit.
96	Osaka RhapsodyUminara Senri · Mari		The female comedy duo that represents Japan, Unabara Senri…
97	Dream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirō		Jiro Atsumi achieved his greatest success since his debut with a smash hit song.
98	Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya		Singing the great hit by Tatsuya Ryū, Okuhida no Koigokoro (Love in Okuhida)
99	Strait Shooting StarMiki Junko		Junko Miki’s heartrending love song, feelings that cross the strait
100	A lie is fine too.Kadokawa Hiroshi		With their 1976 debut single, they won the Newcomer of the Year award that year...