Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

Hokkai Port FestivalMiyama Hiroshi57rank/position

Hiroshi Miyama “Hokkai Minato-bushi” MUSIC VIDEO

This song by Hiroshi Miyama, an enka singer from Kochi Prefecture, was released in 2023 and powerfully portrays the life of a fisherman.

Miyama’s warm “vitamin voice” expressively conveys the hardships and resolve of fishermen with deep emotion.

Depicting a man facing raging waves, it also weaves in bonds with family and mentors, becoming a hymn to life.

Characterized by a driving tempo and powerful vocals known as “gangan enka,” the song demands considerable vocal skill, with a wide range, sharp pitch shifts, and a bold singing style.

Even those familiar with enka will need substantial practice to master it.

When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to first grasp the rhythm and practice section by section.

The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku58rank/position

The Camellia Sasanqua Inn

Eisaku Okawa’s signature song, released in August 1982.

Its deeply expressive vocals and gently painted lyrics create a moving masterpiece.

Okawa’s beautiful voice and delicate phrasing superbly convey a poignant love.

Four months after its release, the song broke into the Oricon Top 10, and from January 1983 it held the No.

2 spot for three consecutive weeks.

With an astonishing total of 1.2 million copies sold, it remains beloved by many as Okawa’s hallmark song.

It’s recommended not only for enka fans, but also for anyone wrestling with love or life.

The heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody are sure to soothe your soul.

Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimi59rank/position

[MV] Yoshimi Tendo / Dotonbori (Tonbori) Ninjō (Full Ver.)

Yoshimi Tendo is an enka singer highly acclaimed for her live performances.

With first-class qualities across the board—vocal power, expressiveness, and fine techniques such as kobushi—she also has songs that are relatively easy to sing.

Among them, the one I especially recommend is Dotonbori Ninjo.

It’s a robust enka number with the flavor of Kawachi Ondo, but most of the kobushi are the type that undulate at the start of each phrase, so it’s not particularly difficult.

Of course, if you aim to replicate every detail, the difficulty is high; however, since most of the Kawachi Ondo-style kobushi occur in the lower register, anyone who can control pitch in the low range should be able to sing it without issue.

By the way, the reading of the title is not “Dotonbori Ninjo,” but “Tonbori Ninjo.”

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Ryo

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Yugiri PortMori Konomi60rank/position

Konomi Mori “Yugiri Port” Music Video

A powerful enka released by Konomi Mori in July 2024.

Set in a fog-shrouded port town, it portrays a heart-wrenching love.

Drawing on her unique vocal prowess honed through folk music, she conveys both the misty harbor scenery and the protagonist’s feelings with rich emotion.

Said to be modeled on Kojōhama in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, the lyrics—written by Madoka No—were inspired by her amazement at the fog-covered landscape, and Chiaki Oka set them to a poignant melody.

Mori shares behind-the-scenes stories on her blog, and the song has been generating buzz among fans.

It’s the kind of piece you’ll want to listen to when you’re remembering someone dear or spending a quiet night alone.

Lake FurenYamauchi Keisuke61rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi 'Furenko' Music Video

As a single released in 2009, this song, “Furen-ko,” lets you enjoy Keisuke Yamauchi’s still fresh, youthful singing.

As the title suggests, it’s themed around Hokkaido’s Lake Furen, and it’s a celebrated enka classic that became a long-running hit thanks to its deeply emotional, wistful atmosphere.

The overall structure is simple in a very enka-like way, making it a good study piece for beginners.

It’s also a great song to learn from—things like kobushi and vibrato—and then use that experience to take on various other enka songs!

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KOH-1

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Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi62rank/position

Yokohama Twilight

Set in the port city of Yokohama and depicting a bittersweet romantic parting, this song has continued to capture many hearts since its release in March 1971.

Serving as Hiroshi Itsuki’s re-debut track, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart and won numerous awards, including the Vocal Performance Award at the 13th Japan Record Awards.

The poignant farewell unfolding in a hotel room at dusk and the protagonist wandering the city with the ache of heartbreak vividly express universal emotions that almost everyone has experienced at least once.

It’s a must-listen not only for fans of enka and mood kayō, but also for younger music listeners interested in Shōwa-era pop songs.

Man BoatHosokawa Takashi63rank/position

Takashi Hosokawa / Otokobune

A classic enka masterpiece portraying the brave figure of a fisherman confronting the rough northern seas.

The powerful melody woven by Tsugaru shamisen and trumpet vividly captures the image of a boat drifting upon a raging ocean.

The man’s feelings for his mother and the pathos surrounding a man’s way of life tug at the heart.

Released in July 2024 to commemorate Takashi Hosokawa’s 50th anniversary in the performing arts, this work is set in Esashi, Hokkaido, and sings of a man’s solitude and indomitable spirit.

The coupling track also includes “Oenka, Ikimasu,” with lyrics by Shigesato Itoi.

Highly recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone seeking the courage to face life’s stormy seas.