Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

Love is pointless anyway.Takeshima Hiroshi22rank/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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KOH-1

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Crimson ButterflyYamauchi Keisuke23rank/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 Ichirō24rank/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 Takashi25rank/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 Keisuke26rank/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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From the northern innMiyako Harumi27rank/position

Harumi Miyako / From the Northern Inn [Lyric Video]

When it comes to classic enka songs, this one is indispensable.

Set against the backdrop of a cold northern winter, it conveys the heart-wrenching feelings of a heartbroken woman through a voice that is both gentle and powerful.

Asei Kobayashi’s richly emotive melody and Yū Aku’s profound lyrics blend beautifully, resulting in a masterpiece that resonates deeply with listeners.

Released in December 1975 as Harumi Miyako’s 68th single, it quickly soared in popularity after being performed at the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen the following year.

It won numerous awards, including the Japan Record Award, and became a massive hit, selling over 1.435 million copies.

It’s the perfect song for healing the pain of heartbreak or reaffirming your feelings for someone special.

Northern SpringSen Masao28rank/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.