[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 (51–60)
Fated ShipKumi Iwamoto
The debut 30th-anniversary single, released in August 2025, is a dramatic number that portrays a farewell to a loved one.
The inescapable fate and sense of loss—having no choice but to watch the departing ship—overlap with scenes of a raging sea and snowy landscapes, pressing on the heart.
It’s a song to hear when you want to experience the essence of enka.
They’ve said, “We’d love for you to try it at karaoke,” so everyone, please give it a sing!
Ichibangai BluesHiroya Hama
With a voice that blends urban allure and translucence, Hiroya Hama has long brought color to the world of mood kayō (Japanese popular ballads).
Released in August 2025, this song is set in the nighttime city and portrays a secretive love story between a man and a woman.
The subtle signals exchanged in neon-lit entertainment districts, along with the bittersweet frustration and exhilaration of a relationship that must remain hidden, are beautifully conveyed through Hama’s signature, soaring high notes.
Listening to this piece, you’ll likely feel a slightly illicit, intoxicating sweetness—as if you’re peeking into a scene from a drama.
OkkanoyosareShinobu Kakyoin
This is a nostalgic enka song that poignantly conveys the heartache of thinking about a mother living away from her hometown.
It’s a single released in August 2025 by enka singer Shinobu Kakyoin, her first in about eight years.
The composition is by Akito Shikata and the lyrics by Kyosuke Kuni, and their warm melody and lyrical worldview gently permeate the listener’s heart.
Please take your time listening while reflecting on your hometown and your beloved family.
Adoro of FarewellHitomi Nishiyama
Released in August 2025, “Adoro of Parting” is a number that feels as if you’re watching a film.
Crafted by hitmakers Kyoko Asahina and Hiroshi Tokuhisa, its soul-carving melody and piercing words press upon the heart.
Since her 1987 debut, she has centered her music on enka while incorporating elements of jazz, and her profoundly expressive delivery adds even greater depth to the story.
It’s perfect for those who carry the memory of an unforgettable love or for nights when you want to immerse yourself in a highly narrative song.
New Enka Single Releases (61–70)
Let me hear your parting words.Kazue Yamamoto
Released in July 2025, this work centers on the end of an office romance—something anyone could experience.
The lyrics, which yearn to put a stop to an ambiguous relationship, are heartbreaking even just to read.
The melancholy sound, featuring a triple meter, further highlights the protagonist’s aching emotions.
It’s an emotionally rich number you’ll want to listen to on nights when past loves come to mind.
That girl is dotchicchi.Masashi Etani
This was Masashi Eya’s major-label debut.
With lyrics by Reiji Mizuki and music by Hideo Mizumori, it tells a poignant love story about searching everywhere for someone you love who has disappeared.
The catchy melody contrasted with the seeping sorrow is irresistibly moving.
The frustration conveyed in his vocals makes your chest tighten without you even realizing it.
Evoking the atmosphere of a Showa-era coming-of-age drama, this world is perfect for anyone who wants to remember what it feels like to be in love.
Th-th-th-thanksT and T
T and T is a blue-collar vocal duo drawing buzz for their unusual backgrounds: a construction company president and the right-hand man who supports him.
Their major-label debut single, released in July 2025 by the duo in their 60s and 50s, is a warm track that feels like their personalities turned into sound.
It’s a heartfelt message of gratitude—awkward yet sincere—born from Toji-kun drawing out the feelings that the extremely shy Toshi-kun keeps close to his chest.
A heartwarming pop song that gives a gentle push to people living in this era of 100-year lifespans.