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


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