Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

Blues of the DawnItsuki Hiroshi92rank/position

"Dawn Blues" Hiroshi Itsuki [Official PV]

This is about television, but now that viewers’ channel options are no longer limited to terrestrial broadcasting, the number of enka programs is steadily increasing.

I wonder if Japan’s aging population has something to do with it.

“Yoake no Blues” leans more toward mood-kayo-style enka.

Its catchy melody follows a different line from shamisen and shakuhachi-based tunes, so even young listeners can enjoy it without any sense of mismatch.

The lyrics, depicting the push-and-pull between a man and a woman set against the nightlife of the city, spin a tale of romance that’s a true stage for adults.

Hiroshi Itsuki’s relaxed vocal delivery feels wonderfully light.

Sake InnKouzai Kaori93rank/position

Kaori Kozai – “Sake no Yado”

Released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her debut, Kaori Kozai’s masterpiece “Sake no Yado.” As a recent enka song, it achieved a fairly major hit, so many of you may already know it.

It’s classic, straight-ahead enka, characterized by lyrics that beautifully capture a woman’s bittersweet melancholy.

The vocal line, while slightly wide in range, contains no long sustained notes that require powerful projection, and the use of kobushi (melismatic ornamentation) is kept to a minimum.

With proper key adjustment, the range is accessible for anyone, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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freezing rainHino Mika94rank/position

Mika Hino Cold Rain

This song is a quintessential example of enka, where a catchy melody and emotionally rich lyrics blend beautifully.

Released in December 1982, it remains beloved by many as one of Mika Hino’s signature numbers.

The lyrics, which intertwine the chill of winter rain with the pain of heartbreak, portray a universal theme that anyone can relate to.

Hino, renowned for her vocal prowess, conveys the aching heart of a forlorn love with remarkable expressiveness.

With its relaxed tempo and relatively modest melodic shifts, it’s a song that even beginners to enka will find approachable.

Why not sing it slowly, savoring the lyrics that resonate so deeply?

The Northern CliffsYamauchi Keisuke95rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi “Cliffs of the North” Music Video

This work gives voice to a woman’s aching heart, as if the sea breeze were piercing her chest.

Released in February 2025 to commemorate Keisuke Yamauchi’s 25th anniversary since debut, it perfectly pairs his powerful vocals with a melody that conveys emotions with no place to go.

Set against the sheer cliffs of the north, it portrays lingering attachment, frustration, and a loss of hope for tomorrow.

It is a song that will surely stay close to the hearts of those bearing the pain of love.

Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō96rank/position

Ishihara Yujiro "Traveler of the North"

A gem of a song by Yujiro Ishihara that tenderly portrays a man’s aching heart as he searches for a lost love against the backdrop of the northern lands.

Blended with the harsh natural environment, his melancholic vocals resonate deeply.

Released in August 1987, the piece was also used as an insert song for the TV Asahi drama “Seibu Keisatsu.” A mood-kayo number that makes the most of his deep voice, it vividly conveys northern landscapes and the sentiment of travel.

With a narrow melodic range and a relaxed tempo, it’s a song that’s easy to try at karaoke.

Recommended for those who want to savor Ishihara’s unique aura.

Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki97rank/position

【MV】Miyuki Kawanaka / Nirinso (Two Buttercups)

Among Miyuki Kawanaka’s songs, “Nirinsō” stands out as one of the most well-known, with sales reaching one million copies.

Kawanaka herself released an album titled “Shiawase Enka,” and it’s fitting that “Nirinsō” is the first track—its bright, upbeat tone is distinctive and seems to symbolize the “sunny” side of enka, which expresses the full spectrum of life’s emotions.

For enka fans, it needs no introduction, and it’s also immensely popular at karaoke, so there’s no need for excessive commentary.

For beginners, however, practicing this song can be a great way to learn fundamental enka techniques like vibrato and kobushi.

If the high notes are tough, adjust the key to suit your voice, study the wonderful lyrics, and sing with feeling.

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KOH-1

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hay feverIchikawa Yukino98rank/position

[Congratulations: 65th Japan Record Awards, Excellence Work Award Winner] Yukino Ichikawa “Hanawazurai” Music Video

Hanawazurai is a striking piece with a melody that exudes allure and passion.

While it carries the distinctive luster of enka, it also contains a generous dose of Showa-era pop essence.

In fact, elements typical of enka—such as the kobushi vocal ornament—rarely appear in the vocal line; the enka quality remains more of an atmospheric impression.

Because Showa pop forms the foundation, the vocal line is inherently less demanding, so if you sing with careful attention to dynamics and phrasing, it will sound professional.

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Ryo

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