Kaori Kozai Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Sumida in the autumn duskKouzai Kaori15rank/position

Sumida Aki Boshoku

A classic that beautifully captures an autumn dusk is brought back to life by Kaori Kozai’s vocals.

The vivid imagery of autumn leaves along the Sumida River and the glow of the setting sun is especially captivating.

Included on the album “Shiki no Kaori,” released in September 1989, this piece fully showcases the allure of understated enka.

Its wistful melody and emotionally rich singing resonate deeply with listeners.

It’s the perfect song for savoring the spirit of autumn and reminiscing about someone dear.

Highly recommended for those who want to spend a calm, unhurried moment.

Gardenia ElegyKouzai Kaori16rank/position

Kaori Kouzai – Kuchinashi Elegy

Kaori Kozai has many famous songs, but Kuchinashi Elegy is especially known for its heartrending sorrow.

Although the band joins in during the latter half, the arrangement foregrounds the piano throughout, and that atmosphere, combined with the performance, delivers an outstanding sense of poignancy.

While the song carries the flavor of enka, the vocal line itself is more in the style of Showa-era kayōkyoku, with almost no use of complex techniques like kobushi.

The range is somewhat wide, so be sure to adjust the key to suit your voice and sing with proper control.

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Unreachable feelingsKouzai Kaori17rank/position

Todokanu Omoi

This work portrays a protagonist single-heartedly longing for a former lover.

It’s a song by Kaori Kozai, slated for release in July 2025.

The heartrending desire to meet, if only in dreams, comes through clearly and tightens the chest.

Her wistful vocals further deepen the piece’s dramatic quality.

Those who carry indelible memories of a lost love will likely find themselves deeply empathizing with its aching emotions.

Perch Dream LanternKouzai Kaori18rank/position

Kaori Kozai – “Perch Dream Light”

This song portrays a meeting and romance between a man and a woman in a lively nightlife district.

Although they loved each other, they end up parting ways, and it gently conveys the feelings of a woman who still cannot forget him.

Her only emotional support is the belief that she will surely reunite with him someday and once again spend happy time together as they did before.

In an era when people’s hearts are so easily swayed, many may find such a promise especially moving.

Could it be… you?Kouzai Kaori19rank/position

Kaori Kozai – “Could it be… you?”

Kaori Kozai’s masterpiece “Moshiyā… Anta ga,” released in partnership with composers like Keisuke Hama and Toyohisa Araki, is a song that hints at enka flavor—such as through its guitar arpeggios—yet remains fundamentally a pop work.

The kobushi (melodic embellishment) appears only once, on a long tone transitioning from the B section to the chorus.

However, because it strongly emphasizes the “crying song” aspect of pop, solid emotional expression is essential.

The basic vocal line itself is on the easier side, so if you’d like to deliver an emotionally charged vocal performance with a little help from some drinks, this is definitely worth checking out.

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stage lightKouzai Kaori20rank/position

Stage Light

Among famous enka singers, Kaori Kozai is particularly known for frequently performing pop songs.

She has many great pop numbers, but the one I especially recommend is Stage Light.

With a melody that follows the tradition of Showa-era ballads, its vocal line evokes artists like Machiko Watanabe and Chikaco Sawada.

Although the song features many long tones, there are no sustained notes in the high register, and the overall range is relatively narrow, making it undeniably easy to sing.

In the second bar of the chorus, there’s a brief appearance of a key-shifting vibrato that hints at a kobushi-like ornamentation.

If you find that part difficult, it’s perfectly fine to sing it with a regular vibrato instead, so feel free to use that as a reference.

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At homeKouzai Kaori21rank/position

Kaori Kozai – At Home Music Video

Kaori Kozai is known for her proactive approach to kayōkyoku and pop music.

Among her works, the song “At the Platform” has gained particular popularity as a poignantly moving pop ballad that brings listeners to tears.

Although it’s pop, it’s not complex like contemporary pop; it’s crafted in the style of Showa-era pop, akin to artists like Machiko Watanabe and Hiromi Iwasaki, so the melodic rises and falls are quite gentle.

There are many rests, but since there are also many long tones, be mindful to steady your breathing before starting any long sustained notes.

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