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Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]
When you sing popular enka songs, it gets everyone excited—even people who aren’t that into enka.
Still, when it comes time to pick a song at karaoke, it’s easy to get stuck.
I’ve put together a ranking of popular enka songs for karaoke, so let me share it with you.
I hope you find it helpful!
Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026] (1–10)
I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi1rank/position
This is a famous song by Fuyumi Sakamoto that portrays how love for a longtime partner deepens over time and blooms anew.
Even the scars born of youthful folly turn into cherished memories as the two share their days together.
Those warm feelings soak into the heart, carried by a gentle melody.
The song was released in January 2009 as the B-side to the single “Asia no Kaizoku,” and was later included on the acclaimed album “Love Songs ~ Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru ~.” It also gained widespread recognition as the theme song for Sanwa Shurui’s barley shochu “iichiko,” and in 2010 it reached No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Why not listen when you want to reflect anew on the preciousness of the days you spend with someone dear?
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi2rank/position
Kiyoshi Hikawa, a figure who sent shockwaves through the enka world.
Though an idol-type enka singer, he possesses solid vocal prowess and has influenced many as an artist who combines skill with catchiness.
“Kiyoshi no Zundoko Bushi” is one of his hit numbers.
While this song spans a fairly wide range—mid1 C to hi B—the pitch shifts in the kobushi (melodic ornaments) are kept to at most two notes, making the overall difficulty as enka relatively low.
If you have a reasonably wide vocal range, you should be able to sing it without trouble.
It’s immensely popular among madams, so consider adding it to your repertoire.
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari3rank/position
It was the last single released during Hibari Misora’s lifetime, and among her great discography of songs that have continued to sing to the hearts of the Japanese people, it is one of the most famous masterpieces.
With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto that reflect a view of life, and a beautiful melody by Masaaki Hirao, Hibari’s flawless performance continues to move many people even in the Reiwa era.
Released in January 1989, it became a massive hit, selling over two million copies.
Naturally, it has also been extremely popular for karaoke since its release, and when you actually try singing it, you’ll find the vocal range isn’t all that demanding.
The calm tone of the first verse and the soaring melody of the chorus are easy to remember and should feel good to sing.
Vibrato is certainly a plus if you can do it, but don’t force it—let yourself flow with the melody and focus on clearly pronouncing each word of the lyrics as you sing.
Northern SpringSen Masao4rank/position
It’s a classic enka song that portrays the feelings of a city dweller nostalgic for their hometown.
The imagery is wonderful—you can almost see the northern spring landscapes with white birches, Japanese kerria blossoms, and a watermill.
Released in April 1977, this piece achieved the remarkable feat of being performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen three years in a row.
If you sing it at karaoke, I recommend picturing the scenes in the lyrics and filling your voice with the sentiment of longing for home.
Prioritize gentle, heartfelt expression over sheer power.
Even if you’re not used to singing, the melody is easy to remember, so it’s a comfortable song to try.
It’s perfect for those living away from their hometown or anyone who wants to recall familiar, nostalgic landscapes.
North TavernHosokawa Takashi5rank/position
Takashi Hosokawa is one of Japan’s finest vocalists.
Early in his career he pursued a path as an enka singer, but after studying under Michiya Mihashi, who came from a folk song background, his already high-level singing ability grew to a monstrous level.
Among that, he has also actively taken on catchy songs, making him an extremely popular figure among enka fans.
Among Hosokawa’s songs, the one I particularly recommend for its crowd-pleasing energy and ease of singing is “Kita Sakaba.” While the overall range is set on the higher side, the range itself isn’t very wide, so you should be able to sing it if you adjust to the right key.
The song features a structure typical of enka, showcasing scale movements of two notes or more with kobushi (melismatic turns), but since the kobushi don’t continue in rapid succession, their difficulty is relatively low.
Instead of projecting your voice forward, try to produce it with the sensation of it piercing through from the crown or back of your head; doing so will bring you quite close to the original, so give it a try.
atonementTeresa Ten6rank/position
The Showa-era classic “Tsugunai” is a poignant enka masterpiece that sings of tragic love.
Teresa Teng’s clear, translucent voice gently conveys the end of a forbidden romance and her atonement to the one she loves.
The chorus phrase “ai wo tsugunau” (to atone for love) is especially memorable and leaves a deep impression on listeners.
Released in January 1984, the song was also used in a YKKap commercial and became a major hit.
It has a strong kayōkyoku flavor, making it easy to sing and recommended even for those who aren’t yet comfortable with full-on traditional enka.
freezing rainKayama Akio7rank/position
A signature work by Akio Kayama that poignantly sings of the heartache of unrequited love through the figure of a woman enjoying a solitary drink at a bar.
This classic captivates many fans with its bittersweet vocals and richly expressive delivery.
Released in 1977 as his debut single, it has gradually seeped into people’s hearts over time.
In 1983, it won the Long-Seller Award at the Japan Record Awards and is highly regarded as a beloved song of the Showa era.
With a light, folk-tinged melody, the key is to value rhythm and hold back overt power, emphasizing restrained emotion over force.
For karaoke, try singing up to the chorus as if speaking to the listener, and have fun by getting friends to handle the tricky parts.
It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five8rank/position
This was the debut single of Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five, who debuted in 1969, and it’s the group’s biggest hit.
The lead vocal is by Kiyoshi Maekawa, who later self-covered the song as well.
To score high, instead of trying to sing the entire song straight through, it’s effective to practice so you can sing one full verse perfectly without mistakes.
I often introduce this practice method in various places, and especially for enka and kayōkyoku, there are relatively few songs whose melodies change drastically between the first and second verses, so it’s wise to thoroughly learn the melody first.
Also, since the opening lyric starts on a vowel and enters from a low note, if you sing that part with just a slight catch in the throat, you’ll be able to hit the pitch more clearly.
Give it a try!
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo9rank/position
It’s a masterpiece whose wistful melody and heartrending lyrics resonate deeply.
Yoshikazu Ikuzō’s richly expressive vocals brilliantly portray the loneliness and lingering attachment of a man drowning in drink.
Released in September 1988, the song won the Grand Prix at the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards and was performed twice on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, capturing the hearts of many.
It remains a karaoke favorite and is recommended even for enka beginners.
With its relatively low vocal range, it’s easy to sing, and conveying emotion can help you score high.
It’s truly a song of life that offers solace to those who have experienced heartbreak or parting.
pinwheelYoshi Ikuzo10rank/position
Kazuo Yoshii’s masterpiece “Kazeguruma,” released in 2024, opens with an electric guitar that’s very characteristic of enka.
From there, the voltage settles as it moves into the A-melody.
As you can hear, however, this piece reflects strong pop elements rather than being pure enka.
The chorus in particular evokes 1970s and ’80s folk rock.
Naturally, there are fewer instances of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), making this one of the easiest songs to sing in Yoshii’s catalog.