Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

Northern SpringSen Masao21rank/position

[Audio Sample] Masao Sen "Spring in the Northern Country" (Short ver.)

This heartwarming classic, themed around spring in the northern country, was released in April 1977.

Its lyrics, filled with longing for one’s hometown, blend beautifully with the richly expressive melody.

Vivid depictions—white birch, kobushi magnolias, and murmuring streams—evoke the scenes of a northern spring.

Masao Sen’s resonant vocals further heighten the nostalgia of a protagonist living in the city.

After its release, the song became a major hit, staying on the Oricon charts for 134 weeks and selling a total of 1.309 million copies.

It’s a must-listen for anyone living away from home or those who can relate to the feelings of cherishing someone special.

It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five22rank/position

It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.

This was the debut single of Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five, who debuted in 1969, and it’s the group’s biggest hit.

The lead vocal is by Kiyoshi Maekawa, who later self-covered the song as well.

To score high, instead of trying to sing the entire song straight through, it’s effective to practice so you can sing one full verse perfectly without mistakes.

I often introduce this practice method in various places, and especially for enka and kayōkyoku, there are relatively few songs whose melodies change drastically between the first and second verses, so it’s wise to thoroughly learn the melody first.

Also, since the opening lyric starts on a vowel and enters from a low note, if you sing that part with just a slight catch in the throat, you’ll be able to hit the pitch more clearly.

Give it a try!

Dawn DreamTakeshima Hiroshi23rank/position

Hiroshi Takeshima “Dream at Dawn” Music Video (full ver.)

Although Dawn’s Dream is positioned as the B-side to the 2015 single Melancholy Story, it’s a popular track with its own music video and the kind of classic that’s sure to get the crowd going at karaoke! It’s an up-tempo number with elements reminiscent of kayōkyoku and GS, and if you enjoy the “dance-inducing kayōkyoku” style that Takeshima later released, you’re certain to love this one.

The song structure has great dynamics, and the melody is very easy to remember and sing, so even if you’re not confident in your singing, try riding the rhythm and singing comfortably first.

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Love is pointless anyway.Takeshima Hiroshi24rank/position

Love is pointless anyway.

“How Could Love Matter Anyway,” included as the coupling track to the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō,” which is packed with romantic kayōkyoku flavor, is a piece by the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi, just like the A-side.

Its sweet, heartrending melody carries a certain elegance and fits perfectly with Takeshima’s refined vocals.

The pitch is on the lower side and the range isn’t wide; built around the mid-register, it’s a song many people will find easy to sing, making it a great choice for karaoke.

Try singing it without embarrassment, as if you were stepping into Takeshima’s shoes!

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Crimson ButterflyYamauchi Keisuke25rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi “Crimson Butterfly” [YouTube Edit]

This is a song that portrays a fleeting yet burning love, like a butterfly dancing lightly in the air.

It is a track by enka singer Keisuke Yamauchi, known for hits such as “Furenko,” released as a single in February 2024.

The song expresses the inner conflict that comes from love and the resolve to risk everything and leap into the arms of the beloved, drawing listeners into its dramatic world.

If you fully embody the song’s protagonist as you sing, it’s sure to move those who listen!

Brother ShipsToba Ichirō26rank/position

Ichiro Toba “Kyodai-bune (Brothers’ Boat)” (Official Audio)

This work was sung as the debut song by Ichirō Toba, who was born and raised in a fisherman’s family.

With a powerful yet wistful voice, it expresses the bonds among men of the sea and their feelings for their families.

Released in August 1982, it became a million-seller and later was performed seven times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it a classic.

The overall pitch is on the lower side, making it approachable even for those who struggle with high notes.

If vibrato is difficult, try focusing on clear enunciation to convey the lyrics distinctly.

It’s a recommended song for livening up a karaoke session or for singing with heartfelt thoughts for someone special.

North TavernHosokawa Takashi27rank/position

North Tavern

Takashi Hosokawa is one of Japan’s finest vocalists.

Early in his career he pursued a path as an enka singer, but after studying under Michiya Mihashi, who came from a folk song background, his already high-level singing ability grew to a monstrous level.

Among that, he has also actively taken on catchy songs, making him an extremely popular figure among enka fans.

Among Hosokawa’s songs, the one I particularly recommend for its crowd-pleasing energy and ease of singing is “Kita Sakaba.” While the overall range is set on the higher side, the range itself isn’t very wide, so you should be able to sing it if you adjust to the right key.

The song features a structure typical of enka, showcasing scale movements of two notes or more with kobushi (melismatic turns), but since the kobushi don’t continue in rapid succession, their difficulty is relatively low.

Instead of projecting your voice forward, try to produce it with the sensation of it piercing through from the crown or back of your head; doing so will bring you quite close to the original, so give it a try.

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AfterglowYamauchi Keisuke28rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi “Zansho” Music Video

It’s a moody masterpiece of kayōkyoku built on a 6/8 rhythm, with an impactful drum sound in the intro and an impressive slap bass line.

For Keisuke Yamauchi, it’s also a song commemorating his 20th debut anniversary, and it fully showcases the charm of his distinctive voice—powerful, sensual, and uniquely his.

He does use the characteristic kobushi of an enka singer, of course, but since the song leans more toward kayōkyoku, the kobushi itself is restrained, making it a great choice even for those not used to straight-up enka.

The A melody section is also good practice for singing low notes carefully, so try performing it while being mindful of the contrast with the soaring chorus!

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Chikumagawa RiverItsuki Hiroshi29rank/position

Chikumagawa River

Hiroshi Itsuki, a singer Japan is proud of, has performed numerous beloved national hits.

Among his many classics, Chikumagawa, released in 1975, is one of his signature songs set in Nagano Prefecture.

Sung gracefully over a triple meter, its melody is challenging, spanning a wide range from the low notes of the verse to the high notes of the chorus.

Even Itsuki himself has described it as “not to be sung carelessly.” The key is to convey a rich sense of travel and scenery while taking care not to let the words become muddy in the lower register.

Maria of the Labyrinthtatsumi yūto30rank/position

Yuto Tatsumi “Maria of the Labyrinth” Music Video

It’s a truly dazzling and glamorous classic that feels as if the atmosphere of the 1970s golden age of Showa pop has been revived in the Reiwa era! It’s the eighth single released in May 2024 by Yuto Tatsumi, one of the leading young enka singers, with lyrics by Goro Matsui, composition by Kohei Sachi, and arrangement by Mitsuo Hagita—industry heavyweights who have crafted a song that fully brings out the sexy charm of Tatsumi, the “prince” of the enka world.

As mentioned, it’s a straightforward, Showa-style pop number, so the melody is easy to remember and it’s definitely the kind of song that will liven up any karaoke session.

The kobushi and vibrato are kept modest, making it easy to sing even for those not skilled in enka techniques.

Let yourself sink into the song’s atmosphere and sing with the mindset of becoming Tatsumi himself!

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