![[Enka] A special feature on female singers in their 80s. Singers who were active from the early to mid-Showa era.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/zOx6THXbusw/maxresdefault.webp)
Enka, a genre where you can feel the heart and soul of Japan.
Some of you may have encountered it on the grand stage of the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen or through your grandparents.
In this article, we’re featuring female enka singers in their 80s!
At first, there wasn’t a clear distinction—enka was enjoyed as popular songs.
Given that history, the number of singers of that age is small, but we’ve picked artists who delivered songs as close to enka as possible.
Many people hear these songs even beyond the world of music, so we hope you’ll enjoy that appeal as you read!
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 80s: veterans who left their mark on the enka world
- A classic Showa-era kayōkyoku song sung by a female vocalist. A nostalgic tune passed down through the years.
- [2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- [2025] A Collection of Classic Enka and Kayōkyoku Duets by Women
- [2025] Thriving in the enka and kayōkyoku scene! A roundup of beautiful enka singers
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- Karaoke songs that are easy to sing even if you’re not confident in your pitch (for women in their 50s)
- Legendary enka songs that fire up the crowd. A song catalog of enka picks you won’t go wrong with at karaoke.
- New enka single release [August 2024]
- Compilation of enka duet songs. Introducing popular kayōkyoku hits as well!
- Enka’s recent hit songs in 2025: Must-watch popular kayō tracks
- New enka single release [December 2024]
[Enka] A special feature on female singers in their 80s. Singers who were active from the early to mid-Showa era.
someone else’s shipYukiko Ono
Yukiko Ono was born in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture.
Since her birth on December 16, 1944, she has shone with a unique brilliance in Japan’s music scene.
At 16, she trained under maestro Minoru Endo and made her singing debut in 1963.
In 1980, carrying on the spirit of her senior singers, her performance of “Taninbune” won the hearts of many and became a massive hit, selling over one million copies.
She also demonstrated her talent as an actress, and by 1992 she was dedicated to cultivating the next generation.
Her meticulously honed vocal skills allow listeners to fully experience the appeal of enka.
Even now, the unchanging passion she brings to the stage continues to resonate with many.
Her life, in which outstanding talent and effort have borne remarkable fruit, inspires us to stand a little taller.
Love, since the age of the godsMidori Hatakeyama
Born in Hokkaido in 1939, Midori Hatakeyama debuted in 1962 with “Koi wa Kamiyo no Mukashi Kara” and went on to produce many hit songs.
She is especially beloved for pieces rooted in people’s hearts, such as “Chōdo Jikan to Narimashita” and “Onna Kyō Ichidai.” There was a time when she made a name for herself as a stock trader, and she is also known as a health enthusiast.
With a wide range of hobbies and talents, she has demonstrated ability across many fields, and her vitality has shown no signs of waning to this day.
While grounded in traditional enka, she has broadened her expressive range by drawing on influences from various musical genres.
You’ll discover something new each time you listen, and her allure is truly captivating!
Forget-me-not to youChieko Baisho
Chieko Baisho, born in Tokyo in 1941, has a clear, pure singing voice that has been loved by many across generations.
She won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards in 1963 for “Shitamachi no Taiyo” and appeared on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years.
The lyrical “Wasurenagusa o Anata ni” is a song you can listen to while embracing many different feelings.
Even as she has grown older, her unchanging charm continues to captivate countless listeners.
If you want music that speaks to the heart, why not listen to Baisho’s songs?
Come if you’re free.Midori Satsuki
Midori Satsuki is a widely known singer who bridged Showa-era pop (kayōkyoku) and the enka world, and she is a treasured figure born in 1939.
She made a dazzling debut in 1958 with “Ozashiki Rock,” and gained greater recognition with the 1964 release of “Onsen Geisha.” With her charm and beautiful voice, she took the era by storm; the songs she released have been beloved by many and are still listened to today.
She has also been active as an actress and TV personality—those of a certain generation may remember her from the show Ito-ke no Shokutaku (The Ito Family’s Dining Table).
Satsuki’s singing, which has moved countless people, continues to resonate deeply in our hearts even now.
In conclusion
We introduced a whole lineup of female enka singers in their 80s.
There were some iconic singers who represented the early to mid-Showa era.
It seems there are quite a few octogenarian singers who were active, not only in enka but also in kayōkyoku and various other genres.
I’d be delighted if you found a singer who truly resonates with your heart.