Aiya Shimazu Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Stormy-Wave Woman ShipShimazu Aya22rank/position

Stormy-Wave Woman Ship

This is a song that powerfully sings of a woman’s way of life, addressed to her husband who went out fishing in a storm and never returned.

Aya Shimazu’s vocal ornamentation conveys the woman’s determination to the fullest.

It also portrays a devoted woman who, as a wife, can’t imagine anyone but her man, expressing a touching single-heartedness.

Original songShimazu Aya, Imada Kōji23rank/position

This commercial, in which Koji Imada uses Japan Post’s New Year’s card printing service to get his nengajo ready, features Aya Shimazu.

In a striking twist, she appears outside the window near the end and sings a New Year’s card song.

Her powerful vocals are truly overwhelming.

A behind-the-scenes video of the shoot is also available on YouTube, so fans should definitely check it out.

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Hane Keisuke

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aspiring spiritShimazu Aya24rank/position

aspiring spirit

For those looking for an enka song that’s packed with strong kobushi ornamentation yet still easy to sing, I recommend Asunaro-gokoro.

It features a fair number of kobushi turns, and at the most exciting part of the chorus you’ll even get a shout-style, growling vocal.

That said, it’s not extremely difficult as enka goes—there are almost no kobushi that spin three or more times.

If you’ve got basic kobushi technique and are comfortable with shout-style singing, you should find this song reasonably approachable.

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Ryo

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Aya’s FestivalShimazu Aya25rank/position

Aya's Festival

Aya Shimazu’s signature song “Aya no Matsuri” is notable for her powerful vocals.

As the title suggests, it’s a lively, energetic tune.

Because there are many shouts, it might seem difficult, but surprisingly there are few kobushi (ornamental pitch turns) that repeatedly move up and down in complex ways, and each phrase is relatively short, so you won’t struggle with long sustained notes.

Instead, if you don’t articulate the opening of each phrase clearly, it can come across as limp, so be sure to focus on crisp pronunciation at the start of each line.

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Ryo

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Yae: A Single Flower of AizuShimazu Aya26rank/position

Aya Shimazu / Yae: A Single Aizu Blossom

Released in 2012, this song was created based on Yae Yamamoto, known as the Joan of Arc of Aizu.

Behind it lies the tragedy of the Byakkotai, a unit formed solely of boys as young as 16 and 17 during the Aizu War.

It is said that Yae Yamamoto, despite being a woman, taught the Byakkotai boys how to handle firearms.

The song recounts this sorrowful ending, interwoven with spoken lines.

Guts ShipShimazu Aya27rank/position

Gutsy Ship by Aya Shimazu

This work, sung by the solitary enka singer Aya Shimazu, is set on the northern seas.

The lyrics, depicting a protagonist heading toward the Kuril waters where his father rests, powerfully express family love and a man’s way of life.

Released in October 1997, the song has been included in many best-of albums and is known as one of Shimazu’s signature pieces.

For example, it appears in the 2007 release “Aya Shimazu Complete Collection” and the 2022 “BEST & BEST Aya Shimazu Complete Song Collection.” Vividly portraying fishermen who live by the northern sea, it lets you fully savor the appeal of enka set on boats and in port towns.

It’s a recommended piece for those who value bonds with family and comrades.

playing the shamisen after the factShimazu Aya28rank/position

playing the shamisen after the fact

A beloved classic among fans, “Atooi Shamisen.” This piece is notable for its simple arrangement centered on the shamisen.

It’s solid, full-fledged enka, so the kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) appear as usual; however, for a song by Aya Shimazu, the number and style of kobushi used here are quite simple.

That said, there are several instances of kobushi blended with falsetto, so if it feels difficult, try lowering the key by two or three semitones.

For those looking for authentic enka that’s also easy to sing, this track is highly recommended.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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