Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]

Boat SongYashiro Aki8rank/position

Aki Yashiro / Funauta (Boat Song)

A signature enka single by Aki Yashiro, released on May 25, 1979.

This masterpiece conveys the melancholy and inner landscapes of a sailor pining for the woman he parted with, expressed through her husky, resonant voice.

Beloved across generations, it has been featured in Suntory’s “BOSS” commercials and even reclaimed the No.

1 spot in the Reiwa era.

Though it’s a gentle, mellow song, it’s one almost everyone has heard, so the chorus is sure to get people going.

When you sing it, a calm, deep voice will capture the mood well—try placing a hand over your heart as you sing.

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Kubota Mami

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It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five9rank/position

It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.

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 Ikuzo10rank/position

Oh, sake!

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 Ikuzo11rank/position

[Full MV] IKUZO YOSHI “Kazeguruma” [Official]

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.

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Ryo

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O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsSakamoto Fuyumi12rank/position

Fuyumi Sakamoto – Yozakura O-Shichi

Fuyumi Sakamoto is a female enka singer who studied under the acclaimed enka vocalist Yuriko Futaba.

With a highly original musical style that incorporates a wide range of genres, she has gained popularity both within and beyond the enka scene.

Her song “Yozakura Oshichi,” released in 1994, features an unusually upbeat melody for enka at the time.

The vocal range spans from mid1F to hiD, which is typical for female vocals, but the BPM is 140, making it relatively fast, so it’s best to master the rhythm thoroughly before singing.

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Ryo

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Naniwa SpiritSakamoto Fuyumi13rank/position

Fuyumi Sakamoto “Naniwa Spirit” Short Ver.

It’s a powerful song that makes you want to call it the spirit of Osaka.

It’s Fuyumi Sakamoto’s first cheer song themed around Osaka, released in March 2025.

Selected as a recommended track by TBS Radio, the piece also drew attention for reuniting her with composer Chiaki Oka after roughly nine years.

The lyrics’ worldview—emphasizing the importance of moving forward without succumbing to adversity and portraying people who grow through perseverance—really hits home.

Sing it at karaoke, and you’re sure to lift your listeners’ spirits.

Dotonbori SentimentTendō Yoshimi14rank/position

[MV] Yoshimi Tendo / Dotonbori (Tonbori) Ninjō (Full Ver.)

Yoshimi Tendo is an enka singer highly acclaimed for her live performances.

With first-class qualities across the board—vocal power, expressiveness, and fine techniques such as kobushi—she also has songs that are relatively easy to sing.

Among them, the one I especially recommend is Dotonbori Ninjo.

It’s a robust enka number with the flavor of Kawachi Ondo, but most of the kobushi are the type that undulate at the start of each phrase, so it’s not particularly difficult.

Of course, if you aim to replicate every detail, the difficulty is high; however, since most of the Kawachi Ondo-style kobushi occur in the lower register, anyone who can control pitch in the low range should be able to sing it without issue.

By the way, the reading of the title is not “Dotonbori Ninjo,” but “Tonbori Ninjo.”

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Ryo

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