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Lovely enka

[2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka

Enka, a uniquely Japanese music genre, has long been cherished by many people.

From the birth of enka to the present day, countless singers have emerged, and numerous classic songs continue to be loved.

Many of these enka singers captivate audiences with their powerful vocal skills and expressive abilities, and quite a few have gone beyond the confines of enka to thrive in broader fields.

In this article, we’ll focus especially on female singers in their 60s and highlight their appeal.

They are all beloved figures who have energized Japan’s enka scene, so take this opportunity to listen to their music.

Playlist

[2026] A roundup of female enka singers in their 60s: Artists who support Japanese enka
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastFleeting LoveKouzai Kaori
Fleeting LoveKouzai Kaoriplay_arrow
Kaori Kozai, who hails from Osaka Prefecture, was born in 1963…
2eastMarigold LoveYuko Kinoshita
Marigold Love Yukiko Kinoshitaplay_arrow
Yui Kinoshita, who made a splendid transition from office worker to singer...
3eastFrom the Land of the MorningKimu Yonja
From the Land of the MorningKimu Yonjaplay_arrow
Born on January 25, 1959, he made his debut in South Korea...
4eastI’m pretty, right?Wakayama Kazusa
I'm pretty, right?Wakayama Kazusaplay_arrow
Kazusa Wakayama, who is from Chiba Prefecture, in 1984…
5eastHeart SakeFuji Ayako
Heart SakeFuji Ayakoplay_arrow
Along with Natsuko Godai and Junko Ishihara, a beautiful enka…
6eastTwo People’s ClockMatsubara Ai
Two People's ClockMatsubara Aiplay_arrow
Ai Matsubara, who wears many hats as an actor and lyricist...
7eastCrossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri
Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuriplay_arrow
Sayuri Ishikawa rose to fame with her 1977 hit “Tsugaru Kaikyō …”
8eastMotivation Bluesyashima hiromi
Motivation Bluesyashima hiromiplay_arrow
Ms. Hiromi Yashima, originally from Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture. 19…
9eastHomesickness on a JourneyNishizaki Midori
Homesickness on a JourneyNishizaki Midoriplay_arrow
While being the head of a traditional Japanese dance school, he is also an actor, and...
10eastsoft, blessed rainShimazu Etsuko
soft, blessed rainShimazu Etsukoplay_arrow
Etsuko Shimazu, who hails from Kagoshima Prefecture, in 1988...
11eastweathercockJunko Saegusa
Junko Saegusa, the weathercockplay_arrow
For over 40 years, Japan’s enka and kayō music sce…
12eastA Station Called HopeUtsumi Miyuki
A Station Called HopeUtsumi Miyukiplay_arrow
From enka and kayōkyoku to folk songs, they can sing them all...
13eastTokyo GirlHonma Yuri
Tokyo GirlHonma Yuriplay_arrow
He hails from the Yamaha Popular Song Contest, and…
14eastUnstaffed stationYanagisawa Junko
Unstaffed stationYanagisawa Junkoplay_arrow
A snappy catchphrase like “Showa Genroku Karaoke Girl”...
15eastRiver of LongingTakisato Mi
River of LongingTakisato Miplay_arrow
While working as a nurse, she continues to pursue her dream of becoming a singer…
16eastfishing lightsTachibana Mika
fishing lightsTachibana Mikaplay_arrow
Known for their versatility, including writing and composing their own songs…
17eastFlower BasketSeijo Natsumi
Flower BasketSeijo Natsumiplay_arrow
Singing everything from pop to jazz with a soulful voice…
18eastGenkai Love SongKano Utaka
Genkai Love SongKano Utakaplay_arrow
A cultural side as a third-dan in calligraphy and a “laugh a lot…”
19eastSakura is sakura.Maki Yufuko
Sakura is sakura.Maki Yufukoplay_arrow
He laid the foundations of his career as an actor at the Shiki Theatre Company’s training institute, …
20eastIt can’t be helped.Tamai Kyoko
It can't be helped.Tamai Kyokoplay_arrow
A wide range of music from kayōkyoku and enka to chanson...
21eastfreezing rainHino Mika
freezing rainHino Mikaplay_arrow
Mika Hino, known as a diva of the enka world...
22eastHokkokukaidō (Hokkoku Highway/Road)Chō Hoyūki
Hokkokukaidō (Hokkoku Highway/Road)Chō Hoyūkiplay_arrow
Nagae Yukinori was born in 1959, in Osaka Prefecture...
23eastNostalgic Itsuki VariationHanakyōin Shinobu
Nostalgic Itsuki VariationHanakyōin Shinobuplay_arrow
Made a spectacular debut with 'Fūfu-dō' in 1978...
24eastSpring-anticipating drizzleMatsubara Nobue
Spring-anticipating drizzleMatsubara Nobueplay_arrow
She debuted in 1979 with “Onna no Defune” and...
25eastdrinking aloneGodai Natsuko
drinking aloneGodai Natsukoplay_arrow
Godai, who debuted in 1987 with “Modorigawa,” ...
26eastO bird awaiting spring…Oka Yuuko
O bird awaiting spring...Oka Yuukoplay_arrow
A leading enka singer representing Japan, and in 1957...
27eastI’ll give it to you.Nishikawa Mineko
I'll give it to you.Nishikawa Minekoplay_arrow
Mineko Nishikawa was born in 1958, in Fukuoka Prefecture...
28eastAnemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki
Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyukiplay_arrow
Recommended for those who like enka with a pleasant atmosphere...
29easta pittanceKatsura Ginshuku
a pittanceKatsura Ginshukuplay_arrow
Ms. Kay/Eunsuk (Kye Unsuk) was born in 1962 in South Korea...
30eastIshimatsu of the ForestYonekura Masumi
Ishimatsu of the ForestYonekura Masumiplay_arrow
Born on March 30, 1961, originally from Aichi Prefecture...
31eastEnka RoadRumiko Hayama
Enka Road Rumiko Hayamaplay_arrow
Rumiko Hayama, born on February 7, 1963...
32eastAcacia in the RainMasaki Yōko
Acacia in the RainMasaki Yōkoplay_arrow
Born on September 8, 1957, from Nagoya City...
33eastHomesickness on a JourneyNishizaki Midori
Homesickness on a JourneyNishizaki Midori
Nishizaki, who had been active since childhood as a child actor…
34eastLove-sakeShimizu Setsuko
Love-sakeShimizu Setsukoplay_arrow
Setsuko Shimizu, born on November 3, 1956…
35eastPier of TearsMori Masako
Pier of TearsMori Masakoplay_arrow
Masako Mori made her debut in 1972 with “Sensei.”
36eastHusband and Wife Roadkanou reiko
Husband and Wife Roadkanou reikoplay_arrow
Reiko Kano was born on March 11, 1963...
37eastCome back.Matsumura Kazuko
Come back.Matsumura Kazukoplay_arrow
Born in Hokkaido on March 23, 1962…