[2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka — From Timeless Classics to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition]

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

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] Easy-to-Sing Enka — From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Male Singers Edition] (31–40)

The Rumored TwoHiroshi Takeshima

Hiroshi Takeshima / The Rumored Two

The Rumored Two — Hiroshi Takeshima

Following Koinmachi Counter—which also made waves for its choreography known as the “Koinmachi Dance”—Rumor Duo was released in 2019 as the second installment of the “irresistibly danceable kayōkyoku,” once again created with the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi.

You can also watch a performance video with the School Mates from a concert on the official YouTube channel, so be sure to check that out.

The song is packed with a Showa-era kayōkyoku vibe and has an up-tempo feel that’s perfect for karaoke, and its catchy melody is so easy to remember you’ll have it down after just one listen.

If possible, I’d love for you to aim for a complete copy, choreography and all!

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The Bond Between Us TwoYuto Tatsumi

The Bond Between Us Two

The Bond Between Two - Tatsumi Yuto

Released in 2022 as the coupling track to the historical enka song “Setsugekka,” themed around Okita Sōji of the Shinsengumi, “Futari no Kizuna” is, true to its title’s image, a quintessential “happy enka.” If you enjoy heartwarming enka brimming with love and happiness, you should definitely try singing it at karaoke.

Tatsumi’s performance avoids gimmicks and smoothly incorporates classic enka techniques like kobushi and vibrato, making it approachable even for beginners to enka.

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Downtown InnocenceYuto Tatsumi

Yuto Tatsumi “Downtown Innocence” Music Video

Downtown Pure-hearted, Tatsumi Yuto

True to its catchphrase, “Enka with all its might!”, this is Yuto Tatsumi’s debut song that brought a fresh breeze to the enka world.

When it was released in 2018, Tatsumi was a university student, and the fact that an active college student was debuting as an enka singer drew a great deal of attention.

As the title suggests, it has the feel of a hymn to life, brightly and breezily singing vivid scenes set in a downtown neighborhood.

If you like upbeat, major-key enka, I definitely recommend trying it at karaoke.

The melody is simple and easy to remember, and once you get the basic enka techniques down, there aren’t many complicated vocal runs.

The overall key is on the lower side, so even those who aren’t confident with high notes should find it easy to sing.

It’s also a great choice for enka beginners as a first song to tackle!

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homesicknessYuto Tatsumi

Yuto Tatsumi “Hometown Longing” Music Video

Nostalgic Longing, Tatsumi Yuto

Released in 2021 as a double A-side with Tatsumi Yuto’s fourth single, “Sasowarete Eden,” this song, “Bokyo,” comes from an artist who’s bringing a fresh breeze to the enka world as part of the seventh generation.

It’s a classic enka piece where Tatsumi’s tender, heartfelt vocals convey deep feelings for one’s hometown and family, moving listeners to the core.

While he firmly incorporates enka-specific techniques like kobushi and vibrato, his clean, unornamented delivery and the accessible melody make it approachable even for beginners to the genre.

The overall pitch is on the lower side, so it’s also recommended for those who struggle with high notes.

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In conclusion

If you’re not all that familiar with enka and you looked over the songs featured in this article, you might have been surprised to discover, “So there are lots of new enka songs even in the Reiwa era!” We’re now in a time when there are even enka singers referred to as the “seventh generation.” So if you tend to think of enka as mostly old songs, by all means give the tracks by the young artists we introduced this time a try!