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Lovely enka

[Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 20s. Glamorous charm.

Enka, a genre that lets you feel the Japanese heart and soul.

Even those who don’t usually listen to it may have encountered it on the grand stage of the Red and White Song Battle or through their grandparents.

It’s been decades since Kiyoshi Hikawa—now known for activities far beyond enka—first broke through, and in recent years young male enka singers seem to be drawing attention.

The fan base has been steadily spreading to younger generations, and the sense of closeness to the artists is one reason for their popularity.

In this article, we’ll focus on male enka singers in their 20s among these young performers!

Let’s shine a spotlight on their dazzling appeal!

[Enka] Special Feature on Male Singers in Their 20s: Radiant Charm (1–10)

Winter ButterflyNakazawa Takuya

Takaya Nakazawa is an enka singer from Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.

He had an interest in motorsports from a young age and seemed to be pursuing a career as a professional racer, but before entering high school he decided to become a professional singer.

From then on, he majored in vocals, and after winning NHK Nodo Jiman, he made his debut in 2017 with Nippon Crown.

His greatest charm is, above all, his deeply resonant voice.

It’s not that his voice is particularly low, but it has a depth that makes any song strike a chord with the listener.

Nostalgic Cape TappiRyūsei

Ryusei / Nostalgic Longing for Cape Tappi
Nostalgic Cape TappiRyūsei

Ayato Saisei is an enka singer from Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, well known as a disciple of Takashi Hosokawa.

He began studying folk songs at age five and Tsugaru shamisen at seven, cultivating a strong foundation in traditional music from an early age.

At around eleven, he came under the tutelage of Takashi Hosokawa, one of Japan’s top performers, and made his debut in 2019.

His greatest appeal is, above all, his vocal technique.

Not only does his singing style resemble Hosokawa’s, but his vocal ability is of exceptionally high quality.

If you’re looking for a serious, young enka singer, be sure to check him out.

It’ll work out.Tokunaga Yuuki

Yuuki Tokunaga – 'It’ll Work Out Somehow'
It’ll work out.Tokunaga Yuuki

Yuuki Tokunaga is a famous young enka singer who frequently appears on TV.

Born in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, he was familiar with enka from an early age.

In high school, he passed NHK Nodo Jiman, and in the same year won the Grand Champion title at the NHK Nodo Jiman Champion Tournament 2012.

Riding that momentum, he made his debut in 2013.

His greatest appeal is his wide musical range: while rooted in enka, he also has many pop-style songs, making him a great recommendation even for those not accustomed to enka.

[Enka] A special feature on male singers in their 20s. Glamorous charm (11–20)

potato flowersKoyama Yudai

Yudai Koyama “Potato Flowers” Music Video (Full Ver.)
potato flowersKoyama Yudai

Enka singer Yudai Koyama—nicknamed “the nation’s grandson” and soaring in popularity for his fresh, idol-worthy looks—is bringing a new breeze to the Reiwa-era enka scene, armed with the skills he honed since childhood in folk songs and shamisen.

After debuting in 2024 with the single “Donan Koishiya,” he quickly drew attention, winning the New Artist Award at the 66th Japan Record Awards.

His “magic voice,” refined under his mentor Tetsuya Gen, and the prowess that earned him the Grand Champion title at the 2016 NHK Nodo Jiman Champions Tournament are must-hear.

He also has a side where he performs magic tricks, making him someone even newcomers to enka should definitely check out.

In conclusion

We introduced a whole lineup of male enka singers in their 20s. Each singer’s unique qualities really shine, and I felt that many of their songs are even more approachable than classic enka. Did you find the artist you were looking for? If we missed anyone or if you have recommendations like “Hey, this male enka singer is in his 20s too!”, we’ll add them—so please let us know!