Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

freezing rainKayama Akio71rank/position

Hiyusame by Akio Kayama

A signature work by Akio Kayama that poignantly sings of the heartache of unrequited love through the figure of a woman enjoying a solitary drink at a bar.

This classic captivates many fans with its bittersweet vocals and richly expressive delivery.

Released in 1977 as his debut single, it has gradually seeped into people’s hearts over time.

In 1983, it won the Long-Seller Award at the Japan Record Awards and is highly regarded as a beloved song of the Showa era.

With a light, folk-tinged melody, the key is to value rhythm and hold back overt power, emphasizing restrained emotion over force.

For karaoke, try singing up to the chorus as if speaking to the listener, and have fun by getting friends to handle the tricky parts.

You can just cry.Futami Souichi72rank/position

Soichi Futami “You Can Cry” MUSIC VIDEO

Souichi Futami’s song is a poignant love ballad that sings of deep feelings for a beloved person from whom one has been separated.

It features a sweeping melody and dynamic arrangement, with Futami’s clear, translucent vocals brilliantly conveying the song’s emotions.

Released in August 2024, the composition was handled by singer-songwriter Takao Horiuchi.

Futami won the Grand Prix at the Nippon Crown newcomer audition in 2017, marking his debut.

This work resonates with listeners who have experienced the pain of parting or loss.

Its heartfelt lyrics and refreshing vocals make it a captivating track.

Shirakami-SanchiNagayama Yōko73rank/position

Yoko Nagayama “Shirakami-Sanchi” Music Video

Released in 2024, Shirakami Sanchi—an upright Tsugaru shamisen performance that epitomizes Yoko Nagayama—is already drawing attention as one of her signature songs of the Reiwa era.

Its major key gives it a fresh, bright, up-tempo feel, and the interplay between the shamisen ensemble and rock-style guitar is seriously cool.

It’s already a big hit at karaoke, and many people are surely eager to give it a try.

While Nagayama’s singing features her characteristic kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), the melodic development isn’t tricky, so we’d love for even enka beginners to take on the challenge.

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KOH-1

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Our LullabyToba Ichirō · Yutaka Yamakawa74rank/position

Ichiro Toba & Yutaka Yamakawa “Our Lullaby” MUSIC VIDEO

A song by the brother duo Ichiro Toba and Yutaka Yamakawa, released in December 2024.

Centered on the themes of brotherly bonds and family love, this work is deeply moving.

It opens with the desolation of city life, then gradually swells with a longing for their hometown.

The dramatic musical style—and of course, their solid, resonant vocals—are captivating.

Their first-ever duet, realized more than 40 years after their debuts, is truly stirring.

YosakuKitajima Saburō75rank/position

Yosaku

One of Saburo Kitajima’s signature songs, Yosaku.

This piece changed the history of enka, distinguished by a very powerful and rugged singing style not seen in earlier enka.

Many might feel that delivering such forceful enka is difficult, but Kitajima’s songs generally have relatively simple kobushi (melismatic ornamentation), so they aren’t extraordinarily hard.

If you apply kobushi with the feeling of using strong vibrato, you can achieve a phrasing similar to Kitajima’s.

Give it a try for reference.

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Ryo

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Big brotherYamakawa Yutaka76rank/position

Yutaka Yamakawa “Aniki” Music Video

A work that leaves a strong impression of masculinity and sincerity, “Aniki” honors an older brother and is known for its moving lyrics.

While the piece firmly inherits elements of enka, the vocal line is surprisingly understated, with none of the intricate kobushi runs typical of the genre.

If the presence of kobushi is used to define enka, this work would be classified as kayōkyoku, as every part features a simple vocal line.

As a result, even those who are not confident in their singing ability should be able to perform it without difficulty.

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Ryo

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Snow, Moon, and Flowerstatsumi yūto77rank/position

Yuto Tatsumi “Setsugetsuka” Music Video

A song that beautifully intertwines Japan’s four gorgeous seasons with a bittersweet love.

Yuto Tatsumi’s clear, translucent voice adds even greater depth, resonating powerfully in the listener’s heart.

Demanding a wide vocal range and delicate expressiveness, this piece is perfect for a karaoke challenge.

Released in January 2022, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Enka Rankings.

Highly recommended for those who want to lose themselves in lyrics that fuse traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern sensibilities, and for anyone seeking the new allure of enka.

If you can convey the emotions of a heart swaying between duty and human compassion, you’re sure to become the star of the karaoke stage.