![[October 2025] Latest Enka and Kayōkyoku roundup. Check out the buzzworthy new songs!](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/oksSDf-S64U/maxresdefault.webp)
[October 2025] Latest Enka and Kayōkyoku roundup. Check out the buzzworthy new songs!
If you’ve found your way here, that probably means you love enka and kayōkyoku! Often called the “heart of Japan,” enka and kayōkyoku are full of timeless songs that resonate with everyone.
Maybe you head out to concerts with friends to see your favorite singers, or you hone your skills at karaoke aiming to become a great singer—everyone has their own way to enjoy them.
In this article, we’ve put together the latest, newly released enka and kayōkyoku tracks! Get a jump on the hits that are sure to come next!
New Enka Song Releases (1–10)
Agave flowerNEW!MATSURI
Produced by Yasushi Akimoto, the six-member group MATSURI released their second single in October 2025—a Showa-era kayōkyoku-inspired work that evokes classic Group Sounds.
Drawing a parallel to the agave, a plant that takes decades to bloom, it portrays a grand love that waits a lifetime for its once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The deep emotions conveyed through their sultry vocals and the lyrical melody really resonate.
If you like Showa-era pop songs, you’ll especially enjoy this.
Genroku Cherry Blossom Viewing DanceNEW!Natsuka Arimori
Sung by Natsuka Arimori from Shizuoka Prefecture, this track was released by Nippon Crown in October 2025.
It’s a cover of a song originally performed by Yukari Harada in November 1996, characterized by an elegant aesthetic that could be described as Japanese-style rock.
Set in Yoshiwara, the lyrics vividly portray a woman’s bittersweet emotions and lingering attachment.
Incorporating call-and-response shouts and an upbeat rhythm, it masterfully fuses classic enka elements with dance-song accents.
A showcase for Arimori’s expressive artistry.
Tsugaru Kaze PortNEW!Kozue Takemura
This song, released in October 2025 by Kozue Takemura from Shiga Prefecture, is an ambitious work that leans more heavily into rock than any of her previous releases.
From the intro, the roaring electric guitars and powerful beat leave a strong impression.
Set in a snowstorm-swept northern port town, the lyrics portray the passion of a woman determined to stay true to love even as she’s buffeted by fate.
While retaining the emotive essence of enka, the arrangement boldly foregrounds a band sound to stunning effect.
It’s a must-listen not only for traditional enka fans but also for those seeking something fresh.
Izayoi BridgeNEW!Kenta Koori
While preserving the traditions of enka, Kenta Koori showcases a unique commitment to emotional expression.
Released in October 2025, “Izayoi Bridge” tells a story that layers a bittersweet longing over the image of a moon that will soon begin to wane.
Written by lyricist Asakoyomi on a night of the full moon, the piece delicately depicts the subtle signs of parting drifting in the moonlight.
If you’re looking for a gently lyrical ballad, be sure to give it a listen.
Sunlight filtering through the trees — komorebiNEW!Tsukasa-gaku
Released in October 2025 as the first project following the move to Teichiku Records, this work is a medium-tempo ballad sung by Tsukasa Manabu from Uozu City, Toyama Prefecture, quietly contemplating parting and regret.
It portrays the protagonist standing alone in dappled sunlight, savoring memories of someone they once held close.
The lingering attachment to a lost love and the ache of remorse are powerfully conveyed.
The lyrics by Ryusei Samejima, music by Seita Minamino, and gentle arrangement by Yukari Sugiyama blend exquisitely.
It’s the perfect song for looking back on a past romance.
moored boatNEW!Kazuko Mifune
Sixty years after her 1965 debut, a single symbolizing that journey was released in October 2025.
This work, which overlays the feelings of two lovers who cannot be together onto a boat, is a classic enka that captures the subtleties of a heartrending romance.
The emotive lyrics by Chiyo Yoshimi, the wistful melody by Chiaki Oka, and the arrangement by Tatsuo Matsui—fusing tradition with a contemporary sonic balance—are in splendid harmony.
Moreover, Kazuko Mifune’s richly expressive vocals vividly convey the rising passion from the conversational A-melody to the soaring chorus.
A track to savor slowly.
Mother is a cradle.NEW!Kiyomi Hōjō
Kiyomi Hojo, an enka singer from Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture, has transferred from King Records to Nippon Crown.
In October 2025, she released her first single in her new home, “Mother Is a Cradle.” This work weaves together gratitude to her mother and memories from childhood: the days she walked home hand in hand singing, the warmth of being held close through rain and wind, and the words of thanks she can finally express now.
Many listeners will likely find themselves overlaying the song onto their own lives.