Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]

A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji71rank/position

Joji Yamamoto “Michinoku Solo Journey” Music Video (full ver.)

A signature work by Joji Yamamoto whose lyrical lyrics and beautiful melody move the heart.

Depicting a parting and a new journey with a loved one, this piece is a masterpiece that even newcomers to enka can fully appreciate.

Released in August 1980 and selling over one million copies, the song led to Yamamoto’s first appearance at the 32nd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen the following year.

Overall, the pitch is relatively low and easy to sing, highlighting the charm of the middle to lower registers.

When attempting it at karaoke, savor the lyrics that evoke the scenery of the Tohoku region and try to convey a world rich with the sentiment of travel.

You don’t have to go back.Shimazu Aya72rank/position

Is It Okay If I Don’t Go Home?

This song was released in 2004 as Aya Shimazu’s 36th single.

The title “Kairanchayoka” means “You don’t have to come home” in the Kumamoto dialect, and the lyrics are written entirely in that dialect.

It originated as a song called “Ikitarayoka,” written and composed in 1995 by folk singer Hideki Sekijima, inspired by his own parents.

Battan Arakawa later recorded it under the changed title “Kairanchayoka.” There is an anecdote that Aya Shimazu liked the song so much that she asked for permission to sing it.

Two-person sakekawanaka miyuki73rank/position

Two-person sake

Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic “Futari Sake” is distinguished by its warm, memorable melody.

It’s an orthodox enka piece imbued with a sense of melancholy.

As with typical enka, the challenging kobushi ornament appears multiple times; however, roughly a third of these are not pitch-bending turns so much as kobushi that apply vibrato.

Because this type of kobushi is far easier than the regular kind, the song can definitely be considered an easy one.

Do add it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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A beautiful day for lifekawanaka miyuki74rank/position

Miyuki Kawanaka “Jinsei Biyori” Music Video

From her debut, Miyuki Kawanaka has been known for her distinctive, rich voice, and lately that voice has gained even more power and presence.

As a result, she’s been releasing more forceful songs as her career progresses.

One recommendation is Jinsei Biyori, released in 2024.

It features a powerful delivery with effective shouts.

While executing the shouts can be challenging, the song has few long sustained notes and doesn’t use rapid melismatic ornamentation (kobushi), so for those familiar with enka, it should be relatively easy to sing.

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Ryo

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NocturneIchikawa Yukino75rank/position

Yukino Ichikawa “Nocturne” Music Video

The song begins with a scale that steps up from A3, and if you can nail that very first note, I think you’ll be able to sing comfortably.

The piece overall has a structure where the pitch moves up and down, so try to sing by carefully capturing each note one by one.

There are a few long tones on the syllable “n,” which can easily cause tension, so try producing them lightly as if you’re humming.

At the end of the chorus there’s a section with many words, but if you’re careful to articulate each one, you should be able to keep your pitch steady.

Since it’s a relaxed 4/4, swaying your body as you sing may help your voice come out more naturally!

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Kubota Mami

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False Forget-me-notIchikawa Yukino76rank/position

Yukino Ichikawa “Miyakowasure” [Official MV Full Ver.]

Tokyo Wasure: a work that portrays the feelings of a woman who leaves Tokyo behind to start a new life with the one she loves.

Beginning with a dramatic intro, the song repeatedly features vocals delivered with a dramatic flair throughout.

While the expressive elements—such as breathing nuances—demand a high level of control, the technical aspects of enka, like kobushi ornamentation, are comparatively lenient.

Therefore, anyone with solid basic vocal skills and a grasp of kobushi technique should be able to perform it without difficulty.

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Ryo

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Snow Love BlossomIchikawa Yukino77rank/position

Yukino Ichikawa / YUKIRENGE (Short ver.) [Promotional Video]

With a range from E3 to E5 (two octaves), this song may feel a bit low overall for women.

The A section starts on relatively low notes, so you’ll want to avoid engaging your throat right from the beginning.

If you sing as if gently placing your voice right in front of you, it’s easier to hit the low notes.

Also, since this song builds rapidly from the chorus, singing the first A and B sections softly, as if speaking gently, will help set the mood.

The chorus opens around G#4, which requires a bit more projection, so pay attention there.

Make sure to breathe well and add accents on the higher notes! In the latter half of the chorus, the melody drops lower, so be careful not to let your pitch sag.

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Kubota Mami

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