Popular Enka. Latest Rankings [2026]

evening cicadaNagayama Yōko81rank/position

Yoko Nagayama “Higurashi” Music Video

Branded as the “first year of enka,” this commemorative song, Higurashi, marked Ms.

Nagayama’s re-debut as an enka singer in 1993.

It is her biggest hit, a renowned piece widely recognized for being used as the theme song for the TBS drama Journey of Life and for her appearance at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Built on a 6/8 rhythm in a minor key, it embodies the classic style of enka, featuring fundamental enka techniques throughout.

While it can be a challenging song for beginners to enka, the melody is easy to remember, and anyone reasonably accustomed to singing enka should be able to manage it.

Because the pitch moves up and down rather dramatically, it’s easy to go off the melody, so be sure to listen carefully to the original before attempting to sing it.

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Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi82rank/position

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

This is a smash hit by Kenichi Mikawa, featuring an irresistibly moody, wistful saxophone in the intro! Released in 1972, this song is said to be one of Mikawa’s signature works.

It has been performed multiple times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen and remains a classic in enka history that many artists continue to cover.

With a relatively narrow vocal range and an easy-to-remember melody, it’s particularly recommended for those who struggle with high notes.

Channel your inner Mikawa and have fun!

A Man’s HarborToba Ichirō83rank/position

Ichiro Toba "Man’s Harbor" (Official Audio)

With a fisherman father and an ama diver mother, Ichiro Toba is truly an enka singer worthy of being called a “man of the sea.” Released in 1986, this song became a popular hit and was even performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Characterized by lyrics themed around the sea and fishermen’s lives and a powerful melody, it showcases Toba’s vocal prowess to the fullest.

The overall pitch is on the lower side, but it’s challenging to deliver the lyrics clearly while employing vibrato.

It takes considerable technique to sing the low-register melody with stability.

If you’re not confident with vibrato, you might focus on delivering the lyrics clearly with crisp articulation.

It’s a recommended track for those who want to let their thoughts drift to the world of the sea and its fishermen.

Premonition of PartingTeresa Ten84rank/position

Premonition of Parting

She has produced numerous masterpieces, and among them, “A Premonition of Parting” is one of her most well-known works.

Although the chorus sits mostly in the mid-to-high range, the pitch movement is very gentle, so even if it feels high, you may find it surprisingly easy to sing.

If you still find the height challenging, don’t hesitate to lower the key.

This song has a narrow vocal range, so even if you lower the key, you won’t struggle with the low parts.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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Mist-bound feelingsYamauchi Keisuke85rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi “Foggy Affection” Music Video

As the catchphrase “I’m an enka high-schooler” suggests, this is Keisuke Yamauchi’s memorable debut song, Kijō! Released in April 2001, Kijō features lyrics by none other than the grand master Tetsurō Hoshino, and composition by Hideo Mizumori—who is quintessentially associated with Yamauchi—resulting in a classic enka in a minor key.

Though youthful and fresh, his poised, self-assured singing is astonishing even now, hardly what you’d expect from a high school student.

Hallmark enka techniques like kobushi are woven throughout, and to be honest, it’s tough to sing right off the bat if you’re not used to enka.

The melody is easy to learn, so start by humming along, and gradually practice incorporating elements like kobushi and vibrato over time!

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Nyōnin KōyaTagawa Toshi-mi86rank/position

BKTAi027 Women’s Koyasan ⑦ TOSHIMI TAGAWA (2002) 111117 vL FC HD

‘Nyonin Kōya,’ whose lyrics by author Hiroyuki Itsuki have drawn attention, is a striking song featuring Toshi Tagawa singing while strumming an electric guitar in an outfit that mixes kimono and dress styles.

‘Nyonin Kōya’ is said to be the nickname of Murō-ji Temple, where women were free to worship, in contrast to Kongōbu-ji on Mount Kōya, which historically prohibited women.

This masterpiece depicts a woman who, after a broken romance, arrives at Murō-ji, and Tagawa powerfully conveys the resolve of a determined woman through her expressive, emotionally rich performance.

The phrase from ‘Tōryanse’ adds a spicy touch that heightens the song’s impact!

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Wharf of TransienceYamauchi Keisuke87rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi “Rutenn no Hatoba” Music Video

Released in 2016, “Ruten no Hatoba” was also performed at the 67th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, so many of you have probably heard it.

Although it’s an upbeat, refreshing enka in a major key, Yamauchi’s vocals bring out the fullest charm of its clumsy, stubborn protagonist tinged with a certain pathos.

While the song spans a wide range, the overall pitch sits on the lower side, which can be reassuring for those who struggle with high notes.

That said, naturally, some practice is required to master the quintessential enka techniques.

In particular, the final line of the chorus is easy to go off pitch, so be sure to sing it repeatedly until you get used to it.

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Snow SongKimura Tetsuji88rank/position

Snow Song

This is a work by Tetsuji Kimura that poignantly sings of snow swirling through the air.

While regretting past mistakes, the protagonist discovers renewal and hope, rendered alongside a beautiful melody.

Released in February 2025, this song is Kimura’s third single.

Through depictions of nature—snow, the moon, and the wind—it symbolically expresses the purification and rebirth of the human heart.

For those feeling lost in life, it may serve as a guiding light.

MotherMori Shinichi89rank/position

Mother

It is a quintessential enka masterpiece that sings of gratitude to one’s mother.

Its beautiful lyrics blend a universal theme with images of nature, and Shinichi Mori’s deeply expressive vocals resonate with listeners’ hearts.

Released as a single in May 1971, the song won the Japan Record Award for Best Vocal Performance that same year.

A popular number performed eight times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it was also featured in films and commercials.

The lyrics convey feelings anyone can relate to.

When singing it at karaoke, try to channel Mori’s rich vocal timbre while delivering the song with gentle warmth.

duckweedKouzai Kaori90rank/position

Ukinegusa

Kaori Kozai is known for her sensuous, silky vocals, but she actually has a wide expressive range and has released some powerfully impactful songs as well.

Among them, the one I especially recommend is Ukinegusa.

The opening employs a Western-style, forward-projected vocal technique rarely heard in enka, giving it a dramatically different atmosphere from her other works.

While the vocal line is full of intensity, it also contains surprisingly mellow passages, and most of the long tones sit at mid-range or lower, making it relatively easy to sing for a song of this type.

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Ryo

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