Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]

O north wind…Fukuda Kouhei92rank/position

[Official Full] Kohei Fukuda “Kitakaze yo…” Music Video

Kohei Fukuda is known for having many extremely difficult songs, but among them, the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is Kitakaze yo….

While it firmly inherits the essence of enka, it also features a catchy quality that hints at kayōkyoku influences here and there.

Since there aren’t many passages with consecutive, intricate kobushi (ornamental turns), this piece can be considered quite easy to sing by his standards.

However, because the song emphasizes sustained notes, you will need to deliver high-tone long notes.

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Ryo

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Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya93rank/position

Tetsuya Ryuu – Okuhida Yearning [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This is Tetsuya Ryu’s debut single, released in 1980.

With this song, he even appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1981.

Despite losing his eyesight at 25, he persevered, debuting as an enka street performer in his hometown of Takayama, Gifu, with an accordion in his arms.

He sings the lyrics, set in his home region of Okuhida, with deep emotion.

This is enka at its finest—a masterpiece packed with its unique charm.

The style features an abundance of kobushi, the characteristic melodic ornaments of enka.

To master it, listen to the recording and try imitating the kobushi.

As you repeat, you’ll start to grasp their nuances.

Be sure to mimic the note sustains and accents closely.

Not only will this help you score higher, it will undoubtedly make singing enka even more enjoyable.

Headwind InnocenceTakeshima Hiroshi94rank/position

[MV] Hiroshi Takeshima / Headwind Innocence (Full version)

Released in 2021 and peaking at No.

5 on the Oricon chart, the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō” is a track that showcases Hiroshi Takeshima’s refined vocals and is also known as the theme song for the NHK BS drama “Daifugō Dōshin 2.” With lyrics by Goro Matsui and composition by Takashi Toshimi—both giants in the field—it’s a killer tune that evokes the golden era of Showa-era pop.

Many people will likely want to try it at karaoke.

When singing it at karaoke, be sure to pronounce each word clearly, and consciously create contrast between the crisp, rhythmic parts and the expansive, sustained phrases.

While recreating the choreography that drew attention in the music video, don’t be shy—go all in and sing with bold, stylish flair, even to the point of overdoing it.

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KOH-1

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moon pillowTakeshima Hiroshi95rank/position

Hiroshi Takeshima / Moon Pillow

Tsukimakura, released in May 2017 as a commemorative work for Hiroshi Takeshima’s 15th debut anniversary, became a long-running hit and was later certified Gold Disc.

Created by the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi—who gave rise to the “songs that make you dance (odorasarechau kayōkyoku)” series—it’s a masterpiece that lets you fully savor Takeshima’s refined, elegant vocal charm.

While retaining some enka-like elements, its core is a kayōkyoku-style medium ballad, so those who often sing Showa-era pop in karaoke should be able to handle it smoothly.

That said, delivering a mature, restrained performance without becoming overly emotional—like Takeshima does—is not easy to imitate.

I recommend listening to the original many times to deeply understand the song’s world before giving it a try!

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KOH-1

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Night in AtamiHakozaki Shinichiro96rank/position

Shinichiro Hakozaki, “Night in Atami” (2)

Shinichiro Hakozaki is a singer who gained popularity for his music centered on enka and kayōkyoku and his sultry vocals.

While he’s an artist with strong kayōkyoku elements, his songs prominently feature robust kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), a style that could be called neo-enka.

Among his tracks, the one I especially recommend is Atami no Yoru.

It’s a work steeped in melancholy and allure, and although it leans heavily into enka, the kobushi it uses are relatively easy to sing.

If you spin the kobushi with a hiccup-like flip in your voice, it will sound authentic—so give it a try.

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Ryo

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The person I fell in love withMiyako Harumi97rank/position

The person I fell in love with

As a classic of the Showa-era kayōkyoku, this song has been loved for many years, and Harumi Miyako’s characteristically powerful vocals leave a strong impression.

Released in September 1968, it became a major hit, selling over one million copies.

Incidentally, it was also used in a commercial for Nagatanien’s Umeboshi Chazuke.

The lyrics depict a farewell to a lover, portraying the resolve to accept the separation with a forward-looking attitude while holding back sorrow.

The melody is easy to remember, and the chorus builds wonderfully, making it a song that’s easy to sing at karaoke.

Even those without confidence in their singing can enjoy it as long as they put emotion into it.

Jonkara Onna-bushiNagayama Yōko98rank/position

Yoko Nagayama “Jonkara Onna-bushi”

As one of Yoko Nagayama’s signature songs, it’s very popular at karaoke.

It features her distinctive “tachi-biki” style—singing while playing the Tsugaru shamisen—and conveys the spirit she’s built over ten years since switching to enka.

The song is also popular among my voice-training students; several of them sing it, and I’ve performed it myself—it’s incredibly satisfying to sing.

When performing, pretending to play the shamisen as you sing would likely hype things up.

The opening is crucial, so be sure to pronounce the very first word clearly when you sing.

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Kubota Mami

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