Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

Cape ErimoMori Shinichi29rank/position

Shinichi Mori — Cape Erimo

This is a fusion of folk and enka, composed by Takuro Yoshida with lyrics by Osami Okamoto.

It was a hit with total sales of about one million copies and won both the Japan Record Award and the Japan Kayō Award in the same year.

It’s a masterpiece praised for its profound lyrics that embody feelings of loneliness and nihilism, and for its beautiful trumpet melody.

The overall vocal range of the song is A#2 to A#4, giving the chorus a slightly higher feel.

First, try projecting your voice firmly so you can sing comfortably without worrying about pitch.

The opening of the chorus is crucial, so come in with strong, energetic vocals.

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Kubota Mami

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Brother ShipsToba Ichirō30rank/position

Ichiro Toba “Kyodai-bune” Music Video

Ichiro Toba’s debut single Kyodaibune (Brother Ship) is his signature song, released on August 25, 1982.

With lyrics by Tetsuro Hoshino and music by Toru Funamura, this masterpiece depicts the pathos and spirit of brothers venturing out onto the harsh sea.

It became a long-running hit after its release, surpassing one million copies sold, and is a classic of enka that was also performed on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

The opening melody is highly memorable, and singing it while clenching your fist powerfully can help capture the mood.

Using expressive gestures helps distribute the effort so your throat doesn’t tense up, so going all-in with your movements is recommended.

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Kubota Mami

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Chikumagawa RiverItsuki Hiroshi31rank/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.

Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi32rank/position

Kenichi Mikawa “Woman of Scorpio (New Recording)” (Official Audio)

This is a representative enka/mood kayō song released in 1972.

It likens the singer’s attachment and single-minded passion for the man she loved to the “Scorpio,” featuring intense lyrics.

The intro really sticks in your head, so it’s likely to get everyone excited the moment it starts.

The overall vocal range is A2–G4, and the chorus includes quite low notes, so be careful not to strain your throat.

Keep your eyebrows raised and imagine projecting the voice forward from your temples; this will help you sing smoothly even when the pitch changes.

Also, make sure to use plenty of breath.

For the low notes, try pushing the voice forward as you project.

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Kubota Mami

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Maria of the Labyrinthtatsumi yūto33rank/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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KOH-1

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Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira34rank/position

Homeward Journey to the North

Hokkikō, a work that depicts the feelings of a man returning to his hometown.

This piece is characterized by a very gentle melody that perfectly matches its theme.

Above all, the tempo is extremely slow, allowing ample preparation before each entry in any part.

In addition, the vocal line itself is simple, and it does not feature the complex lines that often appeared in popular songs of that era using enka-style melismatic ornamentation.

With its narrow vocal range, it ranks among the easiest of Akira Kobayashi’s songs to sing.

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Ryo

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celebratory sakeSakamoto Fuyumi35rank/position

Iwai Zake

This gem of a song weaves feelings of celebration for a new chapter in life into its lyrics.

As a bright, festive enka number, it has been cherished for many years.

With a powerful yet warm voice, it gently sings of the wish for the couple’s happy future.

Released in April 1988 and awarded the Gold Prize at that year’s Japan Record Awards, this work has since been performed many times on the NHK New Year’s Eve music show as one of Fuyumi Sakamoto’s signature songs.

It’s highly recommended across generations as a celebratory song for important life moments—such as weddings or departure days.