Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

From the northern innMiyako Harumi22rank/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 Masao23rank/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 Five24rank/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 Hiroshi25rank/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 Hiroshi26rank/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 Keisuke27rank/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!

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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