Kohei Fukuda Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Mother of My EyesFukuda Kouhei22rank/position

Mother of My Eyes

Kohei Fukuda is a popular enka singer whose father is the folk singer Iwatsuki Fukuda.

Even before his debut, he had already won many competitions.

With his unique phrasing rooted in folk music and his exceptional vocal ability as his weapons, Fukuda has been highly praised by giants of the enka world, including Saburo Kitajima.

There are surely many people who want to try his songs at karaoke.

Maboroshi no Haha (Mother of My Eyelids) is a cover of a song that has been beloved since the Showa era, included on his 2012 album Mother: Songs for the Mothers of Japan.

Fukuda’s mastery in delivering this classic—covered by many singers—is truly impressive, but to be honest, the bar is even higher when you try to sing it with his kind of phrasing on top of an already difficult song.

First practice until you can sing the melody, with its wide range and sharply rising and falling intervals, entirely by heart including the lyrics.

After that, try imitating Fukuda’s distinctive singing style, refined through his background in folk music.

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My dear best friendFukuda Kouhei23rank/position

[Official Full] Kohei Fukuda 'Tomo yo (Dear Friend)' Music Video

This is a poignant masterpiece by Kohei Fukuda, whose searing guitar intro stirs the heart.

Released on January 1, 2024, “Dear Friend” is a coupling track to the single “Shonai Shigure-zake,” yet it still received a music video and drew attention as a rare kayōkyoku-style song in Fukuda’s discography.

While Fukuda’s overwhelming vocal prowess—honed through min’yō (traditional folk singing)—is fully on display here as well, he delivers a performance consciously tailored to the kayōkyoku genre, using almost no kobushi vocal ornamentation, making it one of the most singable songs in his catalog.

After taking in the lyrics, which passionately and warmly express feelings toward a close friend, be sure to give it your all at karaoke.

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Oh, sake!Fukuda Kouhei24rank/position

Oh, sake!

Ikuzo Yoshi’s masterpiece “Sake yo.” It’s a celebrated classic in the enka world that became a nationwide hit, so I think everyone knows it.

In Kohei Fukuda’s cover, the song reveals a new side, characterized by clearer enunciation compared to the original.

For those who find Yoshi’s Tohoku-accented singing style challenging, this version might actually be easier to sing.

As for the kobushi (ornamental bends), the pitch changes are more distinct than in the original, so if that part feels difficult, it’s perfectly fine to model just the kobushi after the original.

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Drunken SongFukuda Kouhei25rank/position

Drunken Song

Kohei Fukuda’s original songs are all strongly imbued with the essence of folk music, making them difficult to sing well.

That’s why I recommend “Suika” (“Drunken Song”).

This piece is a renowned masterpiece by the well-known enka singer-songwriter Ikuzo Yoshi.

Because the original has a very simple structure, even though this is a cover by Kohei Fukuda, it ends up with a melody that’s very easy to sing.

The vocal range is narrow and there are few kobushi (ornamental turns), so even beginners should be able to sing this one.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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Shadow of RainFukuda Kouhei26rank/position

[Official] Kohei Fukuda “Shadow Figure of the Rain” [Official Music Video Short ver.]

This “Ame no Kagebōshi” is the coupling track to Kohei Fukuda’s 2023 single “Tenkū no Shiro.” It’s a classic enka gem featuring a romantically wistful guitar tone and evoking the image of a man swayed by lingering feelings for a woman he parted with.

While Fukuda is known for his folk-song-honed vocal technique and powerful projection, “Ame no Kagebōshi” is crafted as a relatively simple enka number in both sound and melody.

His characteristic singing style—where the pitch rises and falls within long sustained notes—is kept restrained, making it fairly approachable for anyone who has a grasp of basic enka techniques.

There are no extreme high notes either, so even those who feel uneasy with high registers should definitely give it a try.

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Mother-longing SakeFukuda Kouhei27rank/position

[Official] Kohei Fukuda “Mother-Love Sake” [Official Music Video Short ver.]

This song, included as a coupling track on the special edition of the 2018 hit classic “Tenryū Nagashi,” drew attention for being newly written by Ikuzo Yoshi.

Titled “Hahakoi-zake,” it’s a masterpiece that showcases Kohei Fukuda’s outstanding vocal ability as he brilliantly delivers a melody steeped in Yoshi’s signature style.

That said, the melodic development—sustained long tones that shift from the mid range to the high range—is honestly challenging.

On the flip side, if you’re accustomed to singing melodies composed by Ikuzo Yoshi, you shouldn’t find it confusing, and since the song’s tempo is on the slower side, there are reasonably good moments to take proper breaths.

Savor your feelings for your mother and sing it with all your heart.

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