Kaori Kozai Popular Song Rankings [2026]

Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaori1rank/position

Hagureso

A work that remains highly popular among fans as an early-career masterpiece, “Ryūren-sō.” Typically, enka singers tend to take on more technically demanding songs as they enter the later stages of their careers, but Kaori Kozai has taken the opposite path, performing increasingly catchy songs centered on pop in her later years.

As this is an early piece, it features a structure that is more characteristically enka compared to her current repertoire.

While it contains a fair number of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) and has clear dynamic shading, there are no kobushi that span more than three scale steps, so it is by no means extremely difficult.

Anyone reasonably accustomed to singing enka should be able to handle it without issue.

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Silent SlopeKouzai Kaori2rank/position

Kaori Kozai – "Silent Slope"

This is a masterpiece by Kaori Kozai, created by an exceptionally illustrious team: music by Koji Tamaki and lyrics by Mitsuhiko Kuse (under the pen name Mutsuki Ichikawa).

Released in March 1993, the song won the 35th Japan Record Award.

The protagonist’s inexpressible, heartrending cry—wanting to go back but unable to, needing neither consolation nor excuses—reaches the listener’s heart through Kozai’s richly emotive vocals.

It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you’re carrying the pain of a hopeless love.

It may even make your chest tighten as memories of past romances come rushing back.

duckweedKouzai Kaori3rank/position

Ukinegusa

Kaori Kozai is known for her sensuous, silky vocals, but she actually has a wide expressive range and has released some powerfully impactful songs as well.

Among them, the one I especially recommend is Ukinegusa.

The opening employs a Western-style, forward-projected vocal technique rarely heard in enka, giving it a dramatically different atmosphere from her other works.

While the vocal line is full of intensity, it also contains surprisingly mellow passages, and most of the long tones sit at mid-range or lower, making it relatively easy to sing for a song of this type.

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Sake InnKouzai Kaori4rank/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.

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Rain TavernKouzai Kaori5rank/position

Ame Sakaba

Among Kaori Kozai’s songs, Amekaba (Rain Tavern) is a masterpiece that especially embodies the essence of enka.

Within her repertoire, this piece features a particularly high number of kobushi (ornamental turns), most of which are produced using a hiccup-style technique—flipping the voice as in rōkyoku or Kawachi ondo.

While it isn’t without its challenges, once you master this type of kobushi, you can execute faster turns than with the more common style, so for those accustomed to rōkyoku it can be considered a relatively easy song.

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The Northernmost RouteKouzai Kaori6rank/position

Northernmost Route ♪ Kaori Kozai

This signature song by Kaori Kozai portrays a woman’s heart as she overcomes the pain of a broken heart and vows to start anew on a ship bound for the north.

The piece embodies both the profound sorrow that turns love into resentment and the iron resolve to cast off the past and never look back.

Blended with Kozai’s emotionally rich vocals, it strangely yet powerfully conveys the strength of a woman determined to rise from the brink of despair.

Released in March 2006 as her commemorative 20th-anniversary single, it became a long-running hit that remained on the Oricon charts for 52 weeks and was performed on that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It was later included on the album “20th Anniversary Kaori Kozai Single Collection.” The song will deeply resonate with anyone resolved to make a fresh start in life.

drizzling rainKouzai Kaori7rank/position

Kaori Kozai – “Sozoro Rain”

This song beautifully portrays the pain of love and farewell.

It overlays the heart with a gentle falling rain, delicately weaving lingering feelings for a lost romance.

Kaori Kozai’s rich, lustrous vocals make the poignant scenes stand out even more vividly.

Released in June 2024, the lyrics by Koyomi Asa and the composition by Tetsuya Gen are in perfect harmony.

It’s a must-listen not only for enka fans but also for anyone who can relate to mature love.

You’re sure to find something that resonates with your heart.

It’s perfect for listening alone on a rainy day, or as background music while reminiscing about precious memories with someone special.