Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]

Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri92rank/position

Crossing Amagi Pass

Sayuri Ishikawa is a singer who has led Japan’s popular music scene for many years.

Her signature song, “Amagi-goe,” released in 1986, touched many hearts with its beautiful melody and deeply emotional lyrics.

The song expresses profound love for a beloved person, and its almost maddening depth of feeling has captivated many listeners.

Her vocal performance on this track is both powerful and somehow fragile; if you can recreate that, it will resonate strongly with those who hear it.

If you are confident in your vocal ability, try singing it with both power and delicacy.

O north wind…Fukuda Kouhei93rank/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 Tetsuya94rank/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 Hiroshi95rank/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 Hiroshi96rank/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 Shinichiro97rank/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 Harumi98rank/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.