Songs We Want to Listen to and Sing! Masterpieces and Popular Hits of Reiwa-era Enka

Cape HyugaMizumori Kaori

Kaori Mizumori “Hyuga Cape” MV (Released January 24, 2023) [Official]

Known as the Queen of Local Songs, Kaori Mizumori’s “Hyuga Misaki” is a track I’d recommend not only to enka fans but to a wide range of music listeners.

Released on January 24, 2023, it offers a profound portrayal of heartbreak and new beginnings.

Mizumori, moved by the natural beauty she encountered during an actual visit to Cape Hyuga in Miyazaki Prefecture, poured those impressions into the song; if you listen while picturing that scenery, the emotional highs and lows and the inner conflicts embedded in the music come through even more vividly.

It expresses the strength and hope found after overcoming heartbreak, and its powerful message is sure to resonate with many.

south windHikawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Hikawa / South Wind [Official]

Kiyoshi Hikawa’s “Nampū” (South Wind) is a song released on March 30, 2021 that expresses the resolve to live through difficult times with a positive spirit.

The lyrics were written by Tsubasa Kazu, and the composition was handled by Hideo Mizumori, Hikawa’s longtime mentor.

Its themes—placing hopes on a train and chasing one’s dreams—and lyrics that convey a strong will toward tomorrow resonate deeply.

The feelings of holding an indelible memory close to one’s heart and praying for happiness until the day of reunion struck a chord with many listeners.

“Nampū” broadens Hikawa’s musical range as a work that gives courage and hope to its audience.

It also symbolizes a new beginning for Hikawa himself, leaving a strong impression of his determination to face any challenge with optimism.

The Bells of Santa MariaTakeshima Hiroshi

Hiroshi Takeshima “Santa Maria no Kane” Music Video

Hiroshi Takeshima’s “Santa Maria no Kane,” released on March 15, 2023, brings a fresh breeze to the enka scene of the Reiwa era.

As the final piece in his Europe trilogy, the song delicately portrays a story of love and reunion set against the beautiful backdrop of Florence.

Takeshima’s narration-like vocal technique further heightens the song’s emotional impact.

With a mature romantic flavor, it can be said to have opened a new horizon for Reiwa-era enka.

Highly recommended for those who want to savor the depth and poignancy of love, and for anyone who wishes to surrender to a beautiful story.

Thanks to Takeshima’s superb expressive power, the song’s world is conveyed more deeply and is sure to captivate a broad range of listeners.

Reunion TavernSakamoto Fuyumi

Saikaisakaba

Fuyumi Sakamoto’s single “Saikai Sakaba” (Reunion Tavern) is a powerful work released on May 10, 2023.

The song was created to brighten the days when, after enduring a long period of self-restraint during the pandemic, people can gather again and raise their glasses with smiles.

Its lyrics depict warm scenes of people celebrating long-awaited reunions, imbued with a nostalgic feel that recalls Japan’s Showa era.

Sakamoto’s strong vocals further highlight the depth of human bonds and the joy of life conveyed in the lyrics.

The image of weary souls regaining their strength in a tavern that serves as a harbor of the heart is especially striking and uplifting.

This piece is a masterpiece that reminds us of the importance of being bound by ties, no matter the times.

Because it’s a flower that bloomed for you.Tendō Yoshimi

[MV] Yoshimi Tendo / Because It’s a Flower That Bloomed for You

Yoshimi Tendo, a grand dame of the industry, released “Anata ni Saita Hana Dakara” on January 5, 2022, as a special work commemorating the 50th anniversary of her debut.

With lyrics that gently embrace a bittersweet love and vocals imbued with Tendo’s profound emotion, the song has touched the hearts of many listeners.

Its themes of reminiscing about a lost love and the protagonist’s deep bond resonate across generations.

For curious music enthusiasts and those seeking peaceful moments alike, this track will surely strike a chord.

Please give this work—imbued with a nostalgic warmth—a listen on a quiet, long night.

Rainy airportMoriyama Aiko

Aiko Moriyama “Rainy Airport” Music Video (Short Version)

Aiko Moriyama’s “Rainy Airport,” which delicately portrays the emotions at the moment of parting, is a 20th-anniversary commemorative song released in 2023.

Its theme is the heartbreak of a long-distance relationship and a farewell at the airport.

Her powerful yet gentle vocals, wrapped in a sorrowful melody alongside the sound of rain, convey both the depth and the fragility of love.

The lyrics, lingering over the pain of parting, will surely resonate with many people’s experiences.

Moriyama beautifully captures the bittersweetness of love that everyone encounters at least once.

Romantic yet heartrending, it’s a song that is certain to stay with you for a long time.

O north wind…Fukuda Kouhei

[Official Full] Kohei Fukuda “Kitakaze yo…” Music Video

Kohei Fukuda’s single “Kitakaze yo…” was released on November 2, 2022, and is gaining attention as a new classic of Reiwa-era enka.

With a powerful voice, the song richly portrays the story of a lone traveler walking across the wilderness.

You can deeply empathize and be moved by the traveler, who, while torn between dreams and reality, keeps looking forward with thoughts of home and the future.

Because of this theme, it’s recommended for those who want to overcome setbacks and sorrow and take a new step forward.

It gives a strong, encouraging feeling, as if you become the north wind and carve out your own path.

In this work, Fukuda’s transparent vocals and the stirring melody blend beautifully, revealing something new with every listen!