[2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka — From Timeless Classics to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition]
If you’ve recently become interested in enka and want to try singing it at karaoke, or if you’re looking for enka songs beyond your usual repertoire, this article is for you! Articles like this often end up highlighting classic hits from the Showa era through the early Heisei period, but we also want you to discover great enka songs by the younger generation who debuted from the 2010s into the 2020s.
This time, we’ve put together a lineup of “easy-to-sing enka” ranging from timeless classics to recent hits and popular tracks—featuring male singers only! We’ve also published an article featuring female singers only, so be sure to check that out as well.
- [2025] Recommended enka by male singers with captivating high notes
- [2025] Recommended for those who struggle with high notes! Enka by male singers that can be sung in a low register
- [2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]
- [October 2025] Latest Enka and Kayōkyoku roundup. Check out the buzzworthy new songs!
- Enka’s recent hit songs in 2025: Must-watch popular kayō tracks
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- [2025] A Collection of Classic Enka and Kayōkyoku Duets (Male-Male)
- [2025] Thriving in the enka and kayōkyoku scene! A roundup of beautiful enka singers
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Legendary enka songs that fire up the crowd. A song catalog of enka picks you won’t go wrong with at karaoke.
- A roundup of male enka singers in their 80s: veterans who left their mark on the enka world
- [2025] A Collection of Classic Enka and Kayōkyoku Duets by Women
- New Enka Single Release [January 2025]
[2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka – From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition] (21–30)
Elegy of a Port TownIkuzo Yoshi
Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic “Minato-machi Banka” is marked by a melancholy, lingering melody.
It’s a women’s song depicting a woman in a port town, beautifully expressing her feelings as she dotes on her husband who’s returned from fishing after a long time away.
Despite its powerful melody, the piece surprisingly features few advanced kobushi (melismatic turns).
They do appear, but when they do, the kobushi only span one or two scale steps, so the difficulty level as enka is quite low.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
pinwheelIkuzo Yoshi
Kazuo Yoshii’s masterpiece “Kazeguruma,” released in 2024, opens with an electric guitar that’s very characteristic of enka.
From there, the voltage settles as it moves into the A-melody.
As you can hear, however, this piece reflects strong pop elements rather than being pure enka.
The chorus in particular evokes 1970s and ’80s folk rock.
Naturally, there are fewer instances of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), making this one of the easiest songs to sing in Yoshii’s catalog.
[2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka — From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition] (31–40)
Scarlet LipsKeisuke Yamauchi
Welcoming lyricist Goro Matsui, Keisuke Yamauchi’s 2019 single “Kuchibiru Scarlet” is, as the title suggests, packed with a classic Showa kayōkyoku flavor, and it was performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen—so many listeners will likely think, “Oh, that song,” as soon as they hear it.
If you like kayōkyoku, the melody will feel instantly familiar, and you’ll probably find it easy to sing at karaoke.
From around the B-melody, the lines flow with expansive melodies in succession, so try singing while minding your breathing points to avoid running out of breath.
AfterglowKeisuke Yamauchi
It’s a moody masterpiece of kayōkyoku built on a 6/8 rhythm, with an impactful drum sound in the intro and an impressive slap bass line.
For Keisuke Yamauchi, it’s also a song commemorating his 20th debut anniversary, and it fully showcases the charm of his distinctive voice—powerful, sensual, and uniquely his.
He does use the characteristic kobushi of an enka singer, of course, but since the song leans more toward kayōkyoku, the kobushi itself is restrained, making it a great choice even for those not used to straight-up enka.
The A melody section is also good practice for singing low notes carefully, so try performing it while being mindful of the contrast with the soaring chorus!
Big brotherYutaka Yamakawa
A work that leaves a strong impression of masculinity and sincerity, “Aniki” honors an older brother and is known for its moving lyrics.
While the piece firmly inherits elements of enka, the vocal line is surprisingly understated, with none of the intricate kobushi runs typical of the genre.
If the presence of kobushi is used to define enka, this work would be classified as kayōkyoku, as every part features a simple vocal line.
As a result, even those who are not confident in their singing ability should be able to perform it without difficulty.
Snow CountryIkuzo Yoshi
Yoshi Ikuzo’s classic “Yukiguni,” with its strikingly sorrowful tone, leaves a strong impression.
While the piece firmly inherits the elements of enka, its vocal line is characterized by a finish closer to mood kayō.
As a result, the use of kobushi is far less frequent than in typical enka, and the instances that do appear are relatively simple.
For those who struggle with the Tsugaru folk-style kobushi, this is a very singable song.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Wharf of TransienceKeisuke Yamauchi
Released in 2016, “Ruten no Hatoba” was also performed at the 67th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, so many of you have probably heard it.
Although it’s an upbeat, refreshing enka in a major key, Yamauchi’s vocals bring out the fullest charm of its clumsy, stubborn protagonist tinged with a certain pathos.
While the song spans a wide range, the overall pitch sits on the lower side, which can be reassuring for those who struggle with high notes.
That said, naturally, some practice is required to master the quintessential enka techniques.
In particular, the final line of the chorus is easy to go off pitch, so be sure to sing it repeatedly until you get used to it.