Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

festivalKitajima Saburō8rank/position

Saburo Kitajima “Matsuri” (Official Audio)

Saburo Kitajima is a great enka singer who has left behind many masterpieces.

His distinctive, undulating kobushi and vibrato are especially striking.

Among his songs, the one I particularly recommend is Matsuri.

While the piece is memorable for its low register, it surprisingly spans a range from mid1 A to high C.

However, because the pitch changes within the kobushi are contained within two notes, it is classified as a work with a lower level of difficulty in terms of overall technique.

If you adjust it to your suitable key, it’s not un-singable, so be sure to identify your own vocal range carefully.

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Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo9rank/position

Oh, sake!

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.

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Nanukamachi HanakojiAsō Chigusa10rank/position

Chigusa Aso - 'Nanokamachi Hanakoji' Music Video

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.

Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri11rank/position

Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene

Among Sayuri Ishikawa’s songs, Tsugaru Strait – Winter Landscape is one of the most widely known.

It’s a classic that represents the enka genre, familiar even to younger people who aren’t well-versed in enka.

Because the vocal line makes effective use of head voice, the song is often considered difficult.

It’s true that for those who struggle with head voice, the end of the chorus can be a tricky part.

However, for singers who are comfortable with head voice, the song is actually quite approachable, since the kobushi (ornamental bends) are not very demanding.

By paying close attention to dynamics, you can give the performance contrast and shape; try singing the A section with one level less volume than you might initially expect.

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O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi12rank/position

Fuyumi Sakamoto – Yozakura O-Shichi

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.

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Ryo

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Headwind InnocenceTakeshima Hiroshi13rank/position

[MV] Hiroshi Takeshima / Headwind Innocence (Full version)

Released in 2021 and peaking at No.

5 on the Oricon chart, the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō” is a track that showcases Hiroshi Takeshima’s refined vocals and is also known as the theme song for the NHK BS drama “Daifugō Dōshin 2.” With lyrics by Goro Matsui and composition by Takashi Toshimi—both giants in the field—it’s a killer tune that evokes the golden era of Showa-era pop.

Many people will likely want to try it at karaoke.

When singing it at karaoke, be sure to pronounce each word clearly, and consciously create contrast between the crisp, rhythmic parts and the expansive, sustained phrases.

While recreating the choreography that drew attention in the music video, don’t be shy—go all in and sing with bold, stylish flair, even to the point of overdoing it.

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Nostalgic JonkaraHosokawa Takashi14rank/position

Nostalgic Jonkara

Takashi Hosokawa is known for his naturally expansive high notes and exceptional vocal ability and expressiveness, grounded in a background in folk music.

This work is one of his signature songs, released in 1985—a masterpiece among masterpieces that overwhelms with its striking shamisen tones in the intro and Hosokawa’s folk-influenced singing.

Even an amateur can grasp the difficulty of mastering this song from the very beginning, but the folk-style sections are arguably the toughest part.

That said, the main sections also feature many performances marked by Hosokawa’s trademark powerful high notes and sustained tones, demanding considerable lung capacity.

You’ll likely find it very difficult to keep time in the folk-style parts as well, so listen to the original track repeatedly and train your body to internalize the rhythm and melody.