Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

Enduring RainGodai Natsuko64rank/position

Natsuko Godai 'Shinobu Ame' Music Video (1 chorus)

Natsuko Godai’s “Shinobu Ame” is one of the signature songs of her music career.

Released on May 21, 1990, the track left a significant mark on Japan’s enka scene.

It peaked at No.

12 on the weekly Oricon chart and became a long-running hit, staying on the charts for a total of 52 weeks and selling 421,000 copies.

It also received numerous awards, including the Broadcast Music Award at the 21st Japan Kayō Awards.

The song’s appeal lies in its delicate, rain-themed lyrics and Godai’s emotionally rich vocals.

Comparing deep feelings for a lover to falling rain, the lyrics resonate with many listeners, delivering a quiet yet powerful message.

As one of Natsuko Godai’s representative works, it’s a must-listen not only for enka fans but also for those who don’t usually listen to enka.

Silent SlopeKouzai Kaori65rank/position

Kaori Kozai – "Silent Slope"

This is a masterpiece by Kaori Kozai, created by an exceptionally illustrious team: music by Koji Tamaki and lyrics by Mitsuhiko Kuse (under the pen name Mutsuki Ichikawa).

Released in March 1993, the song won the 35th Japan Record Award.

The protagonist’s inexpressible, heartrending cry—wanting to go back but unable to, needing neither consolation nor excuses—reaches the listener’s heart through Kozai’s richly emotive vocals.

It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you’re carrying the pain of a hopeless love.

It may even make your chest tighten as memories of past romances come rushing back.

marine snowjero66rank/position

Jero – Sea Snow (Music Video)

This is a landmark song by Jero, who made a sensational debut in 2008.

With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and music by Ryudo Uzaki, it not only became a huge hit but also set various records as an enka song, making it a masterpiece that will go down in Japanese music history.

Beyond the difficulty of a melody that spans a wide vocal range, the song itself is highly intricate—blending enka elements with straightforward, J-pop-style developments and funky rhythms—yet Jero delivers a flawless performance that really underscores the power of his vocals.

The track has been popular at karaoke since its release, but to be honest, it’s a very challenging song to sing there.

Listen to the original repeatedly and practice until the rhythm and melody are ingrained in your body!

Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten67rank/position

Let yourself go with the flow of time

Teresa Teng has many timeless songs, but if we had to name her most famous work, it would surely be “Toki no Nagare ni Mi wo Makase” (“I Only Care About You”).

This song about a bittersweet love became a major hit thanks to its lyrics and emotional melody.

Many listeners are especially moved by the falsetto near the end of the chorus.

While that falsetto is somewhat challenging, the vocal line that follows is relatively simple, so those comfortable with head voice will likely not find it a major hurdle.

If it still feels difficult, lowering the key and singing with a restrained volume in mixed voice is recommended.

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Two-person sakekawanaka miyuki68rank/position

Two-person sake

Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic “Futari Sake” is distinguished by its warm, memorable melody.

It’s an orthodox enka piece imbued with a sense of melancholy.

As with typical enka, the challenging kobushi ornament appears multiple times; however, roughly a third of these are not pitch-bending turns so much as kobushi that apply vibrato.

Because this type of kobushi is far easier than the regular kind, the song can definitely be considered an easy one.

Do add it to your repertoire.

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As I am in love…Akimoto Junko69rank/position

As I am in love…

A classic song that pours deep affection and pure emotions into a distinctive husky voice was released in January 2008.

Created by a veteran singer active across diverse genres such as jazz and Latin, the track gradually gained popularity after its release and achieved an extraordinary feat by reaching No.

1 on the weekly charts a year later.

The artist also performed at the 2008 Kōhaku Uta Gassen, capturing the hearts of many.

Set to a wistful melody featuring a memorable accordion timbre, the lyrics convey sincere feelings for a beloved person and resonate with listeners of all generations.

When tackling it at karaoke, consider emphasizing rich expressiveness and singing along to the relaxed tempo.

Sanriku ElegyMizumori Kaori70rank/position

Kaori Mizumori “Sanriku Elegy” MV (Released January 23, 2024) [Official]

When you think of Kaori Mizumori, her warm enka style is memorable, but she also has some powerful songs.

Among them, I especially recommend “Sanriku Banka.” The vocal range is a bit wide and there are many strong sections, but there aren’t any shout-like, raspy power vocals, so anyone with a reasonable range should be able to sing it without issue.

It also features relatively few kobushi (melismatic enka ornamentation), so consider adding it to your repertoire.

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