Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]

Sake InnKouzai Kaori22rank/position

Kaori Kozai – “Sake no Yado”

Released to commemorate the 25th anniversary of her debut, Kaori Kozai’s masterpiece “Sake no Yado.” As a recent enka song, it achieved a fairly major hit, so many of you may already know it.

It’s classic, straight-ahead enka, characterized by lyrics that beautifully capture a woman’s bittersweet melancholy.

The vocal line, while slightly wide in range, contains no long sustained notes that require powerful projection, and the use of kobushi (melismatic ornamentation) is kept to a minimum.

With proper key adjustment, the range is accessible for anyone, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Brother ShipsToba Ichirō23rank/position

Ichiro Toba “Kyodai-bune” Music Video

Ichiro Toba’s debut single Kyodaibune (Brother Ship) is his signature song, released on August 25, 1982.

With lyrics by Tetsuro Hoshino and music by Toru Funamura, this masterpiece depicts the pathos and spirit of brothers venturing out onto the harsh sea.

It became a long-running hit after its release, surpassing one million copies sold, and is a classic of enka that was also performed on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

The opening melody is highly memorable, and singing it while clenching your fist powerfully can help capture the mood.

Using expressive gestures helps distribute the effort so your throat doesn’t tense up, so going all-in with your movements is recommended.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Kubota Mami

Report a problem

companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)Miyama Hiroshi24rank/position

companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)

A song by Hiroshi Miyama that portrays the bond between a man and a woman walking together through life’s ups and downs.

It expresses a fate that drifts like floating weeds in a gentle ballad.

Miyama’s powerful yet warm voice resonates deeply with listeners.

Originally released in 1978 as a song by Mieko Makimura, Miyama’s cover is included on the album “Utaitsugu! Nihon no Ryūkōka Part 5,” released in June 2024.

It’s a perfect track for times when you feel lost in life or want to feel the bond with someone important.

Woman Harbor TownYashiro Aki25rank/position

Aki Yashiro “Onna Minatomachi”

Onna Minato-machi is a single released by Aki Yashiro in 1977.

In fact, it’s a cover of the original song Onna Minato-machi released in 1973 by Yuji Minami and the Full Sails.

It’s a classic that was performed at the 28th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen and received a Special Award at the 10th All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards.

With a richly kayōkyoku-influenced sound, it’s an ideal choice for karaoke, especially for those who aren’t yet accustomed to straightforward enka or who love Showa-era pop.

The rhythmical A melody with clearly articulated Japanese and light accents, as well as the distinctive vibrato sections that appear in the B melody and chorus, can make it easy to go off pitch, so be sure to focus your practice on those parts.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KOH-1

Report a problem

Longing for RainYashiro Aki26rank/position

Aki Yashiro “Yearning in the Rain”

Aki Yashiro’s classic “Ame no Bojo” (Yearning in the Rain).

It’s a memorable piece that makes the most of her distinctive husky voice, with a vocal line that stays restrained throughout.

There are no parts that call for belting; it’s the kind of song that’s meant to be sung with a subdued, weathered tone, so it doesn’t require powerful vocals like strong projection or shouts.

For one of her songs, it also features relatively few kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), making it comparatively easy to sing.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Our town was green indeed.Sen Masao27rank/position

Our town was green indeed.

Masao Sen’s classic “Waga Machi wa Midori Nariki” is notable for its gentle melody.

While it is nominally classified as enka, the vocal line strongly reflects the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku, and the characteristic enka vocal melisma (kobushi) is scarcely present.

The few instances of kobushi are mostly limited to a single scale step up or down, so even those not adept at enka-style phrasing should be able to sing it without difficulty.

If you enjoy songs with a nostalgic, old-fashioned mood, consider adding this one to your repertoire.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

I’m going to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo28rank/position

I'm going to Tokyo.

Enka singer Ichi Ikuzō, known for his wide-ranging musicality from comic songs to songs in a female voice and heart-wrenching ballads.

Unusual for an enka singer, he also has the side of a singer-songwriter, and his original songs, for which he writes both lyrics and music, are full of creativity and have remained beloved across generations.

Speaking of Ikuzō Yoshii’s masterpieces, it has to be “Ora Tokyo sa Iguda,” doesn’t it? While it has elements typical of enka, it features many spoken-style parts, so the overall difficulty is on the lower side.

As a comic song, it really gets the crowd going, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem