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Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]
We’re excited to present the latest top 100 enka hits from the monthly popularity rankings, listed in order of most views! Enka is a uniquely Japanese music genre.
With a long history, it continues to captivate devoted fans today—so be sure to check it out! The playlist is updated every month.
Popular enka. Latest ranking [2026] (1–10)
A Love Like Ephemeral LightSakishima Jun1rank/position
This is a Japanese-style ballad that captures the fleeting beauty of love.
Jun Sakishima’s translucent vocals exquisitely convey a dreamlike world.
While honoring traditional Japanese melodies, the modern arrangement draws out a fresh allure.
Released in March 2025, the piece pairs a lyrical melody with gentle vocals that deeply resonate with listeners.
Its artistic quality has been highly praised, including a nomination as a candidate work for the Japan Music Authors Association’s “Songs of the Heart Concert.” It’s recommended for anyone who wants to connect with the delicacy and poignancy of being in love, or who seeks the soothing comfort of a tender voice.
Rhapsody at MidnightMatsushima Mami2rank/position
This song showcases a new side of Mami Matsushima, whose gently enveloping vocals are her signature charm.
It’s a danceable, mysteriously tinged kayōkyoku track released in November 2024.
The poetic lyrics, themed around the stillness and madness of the night, leave a strong impression, conjuring the image of a woman possessed by love.
You can sense both inner strength and a fragile, ephemeral beauty.
This passionate, dramatic piece might be the perfect companion for a nighttime drive.
Grazioso LoveMegumi Sakino3rank/position
A track defined by its graceful, sophisticated melody.
This is Megumi Sakino’s debut single, slated for release in December 2024.
True to its title, which means “gracefully,” her calm, soothing vocals leave a strong impression.
The lyrics, which gently look back on days gone by, resonate deeply with listeners.
Created in collaboration with Terumi Takaoka, the song has a warm finish that evokes the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku.
Filled with Sakino’s heartfelt emotions, it’s a must-listen for fans of classic Japanese pop.
Recommended for those who seek the comforting blend of nostalgia and freshness in her voice.
Boat SongYashiro Aki4rank/position
When the winter cold grows sharper, you can’t help but want to spend some quietly reflective time in a warm room.
A song that truly seeps into the heart in such a season is Aki Yashiro’s classic “Funauta” (Boat Song).
Released as a single in May 1979, it paints an adult scene of quietly enjoying a drink at a tavern in a port town.
It’s also well known for being played in the 1981 film “Station,” and many older viewers likely still remember the poignant scene it accompanied.
Its wistful melody has a mysterious power that seems to warm you from the core, even when you’re chilled.
Gather together over some hot tea and reminisce about memories of the Kōhaku Uta Gassen from those days.
Let’s call it good with this.Mikawa Ken’ichi5rank/position
The song announced in September 2024 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Kenichi Mikawa’s singing career is a life-affirming anthem brimming with his signature style.
Created in collaboration with the distinguished artists Takahiro Matsumoto of B’z and TAKURO of GLAY, the piece portrays the ups and downs of life with humor and warmth.
Set to a medium-tempo groove, Mikawa’s voice—singing about facing forward with the message that “it’s enough just to be alive”—is sure to resonate with listeners.
As the culmination of Mikawa’s six decades as a vocalist, it has earned wide support across generations.
It’s a recommended track for anyone feeling lost in life or ready to take a new step forward.
Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri6rank/position
It’s no exaggeration to say this is one of the most famous songs in the enka genre.
Sayuri Ishikawa’s 1986 release “Amagi-goe” won the Gold Prize at the 28th Japan Record Awards, and thanks in part to being performed alternately with her other signature song “Tsugaru Kaikyō Fuyugeshiki” on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it enjoys nationwide recognition and is a perennial karaoke favorite.
That said, as you’ll find if you actually try singing it, it’s not a song you can pull off easily.
It demands techniques characteristic of enka—such as the dramatic rises and falls in pitch that accentuate the contrast between the restrained delivery of the A-melody and the soaring chorus, as well as expansive vibrato and kobushi ornamentation made possible by the leisurely tempo.
Be sure to study the lyrics closely—written in exquisite Japanese and saturated with a fierce lament that vividly portrays a woman’s passion—and try to recreate “Amagi-goe” in your own expressive way!
Memories SakeKobayashi Sachiko7rank/position
A masterpiece whose wistful melody and heartrending lyrics resonate deeply.
The lyrics portray a woman recalling a past love as she drinks, a theme that has struck a chord with many and kept the song beloved for years.
Released in January 1979, it was originally a B-side, but its popularity on cable radio led to it becoming the A-side.
It ranked No.
1 on that year’s “The Best Ten” annual chart and also won the 21st Japan Record Awards’ Best Vocal Performance.
The song is extremely demanding to sing, requiring rich expressiveness and a wide vocal range.
It’s a perfect piece for testing one’s enka singing ability.
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo8rank/position
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.
Nanukamachi HanakojiAsō Chigusa9rank/position
We’d like to introduce a heartwarming enka song that evokes nostalgic Showa-era scenes.
Set in Nanokamachi in Yamagata Prefecture, this richly narrative piece is told from the perspective of a bar proprietress.
Chigusa Aso’s powerful vocals beautifully express hometown pride and the subtleties of human kindness.
Released in October 2024, the track strongly reflects Yamagata’s culture, incorporating the local dialect phrase “Oshōshina” (thank you).
Recommended for those who cherish their roots and value human connections.
Listen to this song, and you’re sure to be wrapped in a warmly nostalgic atmosphere.
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi10rank/position
Fuyumi Sakamoto is a female enka singer who studied under the acclaimed enka vocalist Yuriko Futaba.
With a highly original musical style that incorporates a wide range of genres, she has gained popularity both within and beyond the enka scene.
Her song “Yozakura Oshichi,” released in 1994, features an unusually upbeat melody for enka at the time.
The vocal range spans from mid1F to hiD, which is typical for female vocals, but the BPM is 140, making it relatively fast, so it’s best to master the rhythm thoroughly before singing.