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[Flower News] A Collection of Hiroshi Takeshima’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026]

With his sweet looks and refined singing voice, Hiroshi Takeshima has continued to captivate many fans for over 20 years since his 2002 debut.

In recent years, his sincerity toward fans has also been a hot topic, such as his “Flower Tidings” posts on social media that he has continued daily since March 2020.

While Takeshima is seen as an enka singer—and even formed the unit “Ikemen 3” in the past with Daisuke Kitagawa and Keisuke Yamauchi—he’s the type of vocalist who doesn’t rely on traditional enka vocal flourishes, instead skillfully covering a wide range from mood kayō to pop.

We’ve put together a list of relatively easy songs by Takeshima that we highly recommend trying at karaoke—perfect for beginners to check out!

[Flower News] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Songs by Hiroshi Takeshima [2026] (1–10)

Love is pointless anyway.Takeshima Hiroshi

“How Could Love Matter Anyway,” included as the coupling track to the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō,” which is packed with romantic kayōkyoku flavor, is a piece by the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi, just like the A-side.

Its sweet, heartrending melody carries a certain elegance and fits perfectly with Takeshima’s refined vocals.

The pitch is on the lower side and the range isn’t wide; built around the mid-register, it’s a song many people will find easy to sing, making it a great choice for karaoke.

Try singing it without embarrassment, as if you were stepping into Takeshima’s shoes!

Sapporo ElegyTakeshima Hiroshi

Released in 2004, “Sapporo Elegy” is the third single by Takeshima, who debuted in 2002.

Following his previous song “Hakodate Melancholy,” it’s a wistful number that evokes the feeling of travel, and its mood—somewhere between enka and kayōkyoku—highlights Takeshima’s unique character.

Without relying on enka-style vocal ornaments, he captivates with a refined, urbane, and well-poised voice—his signature style already in full bloom at this point—while also showcasing the allure of his sultry lower register.

The vibrato resonating in those low notes is actually quite challenging, but once you get past that, even beginners to enka should be able to sing it well.

Forbidden FeelingsTakeshima Hiroshi

Released as a single in 2009, Forbidden Feelings is a significant masterpiece in Hiroshi Takeshima’s career as it marks his first song provided by Goro Matsui and Takashi Tosimi.

Even at this point, the compatibility between Takeshima’s vocals and the work of these two veterans was outstanding.

His vocal skill, which elevates the melancholic ballad adorned with beautiful piano and strings to its fullest, is truly remarkable.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the expansive vibrato is the heart of this song.

For those who find vibrato difficult, one effective approach is to first grasp the overall structure of the piece, then practice vibrato in parallel and gradually incorporate it into your singing.

Please consider giving this method a try.

[Flower News] A Collection of Hiroshi Takeshima’s Easy-to-Sing Songs [2026] (11–20)

Crow of DawnTakeshima Hiroshi

[MV] Hiroshi Takeshima / Crow of Dawn (full ver.)
Crow of DawnTakeshima Hiroshi

Released in 2016 as a commemorative work for Hiroshi Takeshima’s 15th debut anniversary, “Yoake no Karasu” features lyrics by Kyosuke Kuni—Takeshima’s mentor and the person who helped launch his career—and composition by Kohei Sachi, who has created many masterpieces with Takeshima and in recent years released the “European Trilogy.” It’s a gently romantic kayōkyoku with Takeshima’s signature style on full display, so those accustomed to singing his songs should be able to perform it without issue.

Be mindful to articulate the lyrics clearly so your voice doesn’t get crushed in the lower register, and pour your feelings into the soaring chorus to bring out the song’s climax.

Tokyo KamishibaiTakeshima Hiroshi

Hiroshi Takeshima “Tokyo Picture-Story Show” Music Video (full ver.)
Tokyo KamishibaiTakeshima Hiroshi

When you think of Hiroshi Takeshima, many people might picture tragic love stories, but his 2016 single “Tokyo Kamishibai” shows a new side of him, depicting young people pursuing their dreams while living in the big city.

Sung over a classic 8-beat rhythm, the melody carries a different kind of poignancy from a love song, and his calm vocals exude a cool, mature charm—so it’s definitely a track you should try at karaoke.

While the overall pitch sits on the lower side, the melody actually centers on a relatively higher range compared to his other songs, making it trickier than expected.

Be mindful to create clear contrast with the lower sections and aim to deliver the chorus with maximum impact.

A Tale of MelancholyTakeshima Hiroshi

Hiroshi Takeshima “Aishu Monogatari” Music Video (full ver.)
A Tale of MelancholyTakeshima Hiroshi

A masterpiece that could be called Hiroshi Takeshima’s true forte, “Aishu Monogatari” features a passionately played guitar with a distinctly “melancholic” hue that resonates in the heart.

For Takeshima, it was also his first single after moving to Teichiku, released in 2015—a memorable song marking a new beginning.

The lyrics and music were written by Kohei Sai, who also worked on beloved concert favorite “Ai no Arashi,” making this a track that lets you fully savor the rich world of Takeshima.

Songs of this type demand a high level of expressiveness, but I hope you’ll try singing it by fully inhabiting the protagonist depicted in the lyrics, savoring the beautiful melody as you do.

The Bells of Santa MariaTakeshima Hiroshi

Hiroshi Takeshima “Santa Maria no Kane” Music Video
The Bells of Santa MariaTakeshima Hiroshi

The final piece in the “European Trilogy,” following Prague Bridge and A Single Ticket, is Santa Maria no Kane, released in 2023.

Set in Florence, Italy, it’s an epic song, and since the trilogy forms a continuous story, I highly recommend experiencing the world across all three tracks.

Santa Maria no Kane is a triple-time ballad built on a classic 6/8 rhythm; its sound perfectly matches the song’s theme, and Takeshima’s meticulous vocals really stand out—truly a masterpiece.

It’s not easy to draw out this worldview, but try singing it slowly, letting the memorable melody sink in while feeling that 6/8 pulse.