Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2026]

To my daughter…Yoshi Ikuzo29rank/position

To my daughter...

The classic “To My Daughter,” which portrays a father thinking of his daughter as she departs for her new home.

Told from the perspective of the father seeing her off, the song features a melody that carries a subdued, rugged charm amid a wistful atmosphere.

Vocally, it relies heavily on repetition, with most of the piece built around similar vocal lines.

There are no difficult vocal ornaments; the phrases proceed plainly and similarly throughout, making it very easy once you get used to it.

The range is also very narrow, so for those with lower voices, it’s about as singable as it gets.

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Ryo

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Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo30rank/position

Snow Country Ikuzo Yoshi

This is a classic ballad written and composed by Ikuzo Yoshi himself, released on February 25, 1986.

It vividly portrays a snow-laden scene and a poignant woman’s heart, becoming a huge hit that even reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

I think many of you have heard the chorus.

The A section is relatively calm, so you can sing it without forcing your voice, but the song’s structure goes straight into the chorus without a B section; the chorus suddenly soars and includes high notes.

If you raise the intensity phrase by phrase, the excitement will build and your voice will come out more.

If you sustain the long notes firmly, it should feel great to sing.

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Kubota Mami

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The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku31rank/position

Sazanka Inn EISAKU OKAWA 1982

Eisaku Okawa’s signature song, whose passionate vocals move listeners to the core.

The lyrics depict a heartrending love story with the theme of an affair, beautifully harmonized with an emotive melody.

Released in August 1982, it became a massive hit with total sales of 1.8 million copies.

At the 1983 Japan Record Awards, it won the Long-Seller Award, and in the same year he made his first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Even those new to enka are likely familiar with this song, though it does require a certain level of vocal technique.

It’s recommended to start by carefully listening to Okawa’s delivery and studying elements like breathing timing.

Jindo MonogatariTendō Yoshimi32rank/position

[MV] Yoshimi Tendo / Jindo Monogatari (full ver.)

This is a classic song whose poignant wish to reunite with a loved one deeply moves the heart.

Inspired by the “sea-parting phenomenon” on Jindo Island in Korea, its lyrics portray the powerful yearning of people separated from one another, resonating with many listeners.

Upon its release in February 1996, it became an instant, massive hit.

Yoshimi Tendo’s strong, soulful vocals further enhance the song’s appeal.

The lyrics are sprinkled with Korean phrases such as “Umi no kamisama, kamsahamnida” (Sea god, thank you), but the pronunciations aren’t very difficult, and the melody is easy to remember, making it a great choice to sing casually at karaoke.

It’s recommended not only for fans of enka, but also for those who don’t usually sing enka.

I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira33rank/position

Akira Kobayashi “I’m Appearing Under My Old Name” (Official Audio)

Written by lyricist Tetsurō Hoshino and composed by Gendai Kanō, this song portrays the sorrow of a drifting woman and the aching heart that waits for a past lover, and it ranked 5th on the Oricon year-end chart.

It is one of Akira Kobayashi’s signature songs and a masterpiece that supported his comeback after a business failure at the time.

Since the vocal range is generally restrained, it seems singable without straining.

There’s a part in the chorus where backing vocals come in, so singing that section clearly will make it very listener-friendly.

To keep the song from feeling monotonous, try focusing on the accents at the beginnings of phrases when you sing.

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Kubota Mami

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With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira34rank/position

With a Fiery Heart ☆ Akira Kobayashi

A work notable for its distinctive sound featuring strings, “Atsuki Kokoro ni.” This piece includes few of Akira Kobayashi’s trademark upward-climbing long tones.

Since most of the long tones occur while the melody descends, even those who struggle with upward vibrato can sing it without issue.

It’s a kayōkyoku with a strong pop flavor, and advanced vocal techniques like kobushi do not appear at all.

However, the rhythm at the beginning of the chorus is somewhat irregular, so you’ll need to practice that part thoroughly.

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Ryo

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Kokoro KaleidoscopeYamauchi Keisuke35rank/position

Keisuke Yamauchi “Kokoro Kaleidoscope” Music Video

It’s no exaggeration to call this a new signature song for Keisuke Yamauchi born in the Reiwa era! “Kokoro Mangekyo,” released in 2023, marked a new challenge for Yamauchi as it’s a song from the year he entered his forties.

It’s a dynamic kayōkyoku that skillfully fuses orchestral and Japanese flavors, and if you nail it, it will definitely liven up any karaoke session.

The spot where the melody shifts at the end of the final chorus while applying vibrato requires particular practice, but overall the key is on the lower side and it doesn’t rely much on traditional enka techniques, so it’s also recommended for beginners to enka.

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KOH-1

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