[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!
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Enka New Song Releases (41–50)
Autumn MoeNatsumi Kawano
Enka singer Natsumi Kawano has remained at the forefront since her debut in 1998.
Released in August 2025, “Akimoe” is a classic, lyrical enka number featuring lyrics by Yoko Aki and composition by Tetsuya Gen—both masters of their craft.
The song overlays the burning emotions of a woman who, after a fresh start in life, has fallen into an unstoppable love with the oleander flower—delicate yet tinged with danger.
The wish to keep one’s heart fluttering no matter one’s age is expressed through Kawano’s mature, resonant vocals.
Do take the time to listen closely.
Enka New Song Releases (51–60)
Dreams are to be seen and to be fulfilled.Miwako Hayashi
Miwa Hayashi, an enka singer who captivates fans with her heart-piercing “sympathetic voice,” released the single “Dreams Are to Be Seen and Fulfilled” in August 2025.
It’s an uplifting anthem for everyone pursuing their dreams, with a lively melody and a positive message that resonates deeply.
Both her vocals and the arrangement carry a warmth that feels like a gentle push forward.
It’s a kayō number brimming with positive energy—perfect for moments when you’re ready to take on a new challenge.
The winds of the Kirishima mountain range weepHitomi Nishikawa
Hitomi Nishikawa is a singer whose soul-stirring voice, nurtured by the spirit of Kumamoto, is her greatest allure.
Released in August 2025, this work is a quintessential example of her signature, classic jōnen enka style.
Set against the Kirishima mountain range in Kyushu, it tells of a burning love for someone she cannot meet.
The protagonist’s journey across the peaks, from Karakunidake to Takachiho, vividly mirrors emotions blazing beyond control.
With Chiaki Oka’s rich melody fused seamlessly with Nishikawa’s resonant “unari-bushi” vocal technique, the result is a deeply compelling track.
Peanut ~Rakkasei~Kenjiro
Released in August 2025, “Peanuts (Rakkasei)” is a song that portrays a deep love the singer only realizes—belatedly—was a gift from their late father.
Sparked by the father’s favorite food, peanuts, the protagonist reminisces about the days they were protected, a scene that brings listeners to tears.
The restrained, matter-of-fact vocal delivery actually highlights the message embedded in the lyrics.
It’s a heartwarming number that evokes the universal bond between parent and child.
Isn't it good?Tadashi Mikado
How about a bright, buoyant hand-clapper? Released in August 2025 as the 39th single, it was created at Mikado’s own request for “a song that lifts your spirits.” The piece portrays a mature figure who, in life’s backstreets, gathers up dreams once let go and embraces even bitter past experiences with a forward-looking attitude—listening to it gives you a gentle push on the back.
The moment you hear the dazzling brass intro, you’ll naturally want to clap along!
Courtesan of SatsumaTakeru Ogawa
A work that strikes the heart with its passion for the performing arts and its longing for home.
Composed by Takeru Ogawa and released in August 2025, it features lyrics and music written by Ogawa himself, whose previous release, “Fragments of a Dream,” was also well received.
The lyrics portray the artistic journey of a young performer striving to become Japan’s finest onnagata, along with his yearning for his hometown.
The world it evokes—where an unwavering resolve to reach the summit intersects with sudden surges of love for family—deeply moves the listener.
Anyone who has left home to pursue a dream will surely relate.
It’s a dramatic track you’ll want to hear while reflecting on your own path.
Land of Abundant Rice (Mizuho no Kuni)Akari Yamanishi
Akari Yamazaki’s third single, “Mizuho no Kuni,” released in August 2025, is a work themed around rice—the quintessential landscape of Japan and the foundation of its cuisine.
The lyrics, which conjure images of gratitude for bountiful harvests and people living in harmony with nature, warm the heart just by listening.
Her expansive, powerful vocals resonate deeply in the chest.
It’s an enka number that inevitably makes you long for your hometown.