Enka Singer Popularity Ranking in Karaoke [2026]

America BridgeYamakawa Yutaka15rank/position

America Bashi

This is a 1998 song by Yutaka Yamakawa, the younger of the star brothers from Toba City in Mie Prefecture.

His older brother is Ichiro Toba.

It’s amazing that both brothers have hit songs, isn’t it? “America Bridge” is another name for Ebisu Minami Bridge, located between Ebisu and Meguro Stations on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line.

Tokyo has its own local songs, too.

To aim for a high score with this song, make sure you can feel the 6/8 time.

If you get left behind by this rhythm, scoring high won’t even be the issue.

Once you’ve got the 6/8 down, pay attention to matching the words with the melody.

Then—like magic—you’ll find it’s surprisingly easy to sing, and it becomes more and more enjoyable.

Savor the chorus’s melody and lyrics that are unique to 6/8 time, and sing with pleasure.

The high score will naturally follow.

Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko16rank/position

Chiyoko Shimakura – Life Has Its Ups and Downs

This is her biggest hit, released on April 21, 1987.

She performed it at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, which helped broaden its appeal among younger generations, and it became a major hit that sets the joys and sorrows of life to a light, upbeat rhythm.

The overall vocal range of the song is a calm F3–G4, so the key is that you can sing it without forcing your voice from the start.

When singing, instead of projecting with a big voice, try placing the voice right in front of you to maintain a composed tone.

In the latter half, the key changes and the range goes higher, so open your eyes wide and be careful not to let the pitch drop.

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Kubota Mami

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I’ve fallen for you.Ishihara Junko17rank/position

Junko Ishihara “Have Fallen in Love” Music Video (1 Chorus)

Junko Ishihara’s classic “Horemashita.” Released in 1988, this piece marked her memorable debut and is still beloved by many fans today.

While it inherits elements of enka, the song as a whole features an easy-to-sing vocal line reminiscent of kayōkyoku.

In particular, the kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) are very easy—there are no difficult kobushi in this piece at all.

They’re limited to, at most, a one-step pitch change, so anyone with experience singing enka should be able to perform it with ease.

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Ryo

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Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi18rank/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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Purple Rain SentimentFuji Ayako19rank/position

Purple Rain Sentiment

Here is one of Ayako Fuji’s signature songs and a masterpiece in the history of Japanese enka: “Murasaki Ujō.” Released in 1993, it reached a peak of No.

8 on the Oricon charts and was also performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It has the feel of classic, heart-tugging enka: despite its bright chord progression, there’s a certain wistful atmosphere that evokes a distinctly Japanese sensibility.

True to enka style, the melody moves from a low register in the first half to a high-register chorus, then back down again, finally rising to a soaring high at the end—a quintessential structure.

Fuji delivers a careful, unforced performance, employing the fundamental techniques of enka.

It’s perfect as an introduction to the genre, and if you want to practice ornaments like kobushi and hikkake, definitely give this song a try!

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KOH-1

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Brother ShipsToba Ichirō20rank/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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companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)Miyama Hiroshi21rank/position

companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)

A song by Hiroshi Miyama that portrays the bond between a man and a woman walking together through life’s ups and downs.

It expresses a fate that drifts like floating weeds in a gentle ballad.

Miyama’s powerful yet warm voice resonates deeply with listeners.

Originally released in 1978 as a song by Mieko Makimura, Miyama’s cover is included on the album “Utaitsugu! Nihon no Ryūkōka Part 5,” released in June 2024.

It’s a perfect track for times when you feel lost in life or want to feel the bond with someone important.