Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
Enka, the genre of music that helped energize Japan up through around the 1980s.
Countless masterpieces were born in this field of enka.
This time, we’re featuring the crème de la crème—timeless enka hits that defined their eras and are perfect for singing at karaoke.
From well-known classics to hidden gems known only to aficionados, we’ve selected songs across a wide range of years and styles, so be sure to find the one that suits you.
We’re introducing quite a number of tracks, making this a great pick for anyone who wants to reminisce alongside enka.
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Enka Masterpieces You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke: Recommended Popular Songs (61–70)
thorn treeSachiko Kobayashi
This is a song released by Sachiko Kobayashi in 2012, created at her request with lyrics and music by Masashi Sada as her 50th debut anniversary song in 2013.
Thanks to the song’s success, it marked her first single in 7 years and 8 months to reach the top three in the enka/kayōkyoku category, becoming a long-awaited hit for Kobayashi.
Aizen Katsura Once MoreAya Shimazu
Aya Shimazu is one of Japan’s leading enka singers.
While she is known for her wide-ranging musicality, she also boasts overwhelming vocal prowess in the enka genre.
Speaking of her signature songs, this is the one.
This piece, which passionately expresses deep gratitude to a father and memories of youth, was released in October 2012.
Set against the nightscape of Tokyo, its lyrics portraying life’s challenges and hopes strike a chord.
It’s recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone who wants to feel the love of family and the truths of life.
Aya Shimazu’s emotionally rich voice will gently warm your heart.
a pittanceYin Shun Kei
One of Kim Yonja’s signature songs, known for her husky, emotional vocals.
This deeply evocative enka portrays the feelings of a woman who tries to face a heartbreaking farewell with optimism.
Released in April 1987, it became a major hit, staying on the Oricon charts for 47 weeks.
She performed it at the 1988 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, leaving a lasting impression on many.
It’s also very popular in karaoke and beloved by people of all ages.
When facing a breakup or a crossroads in life, listening to this song may help soothe your heart.
Kim Yonja’s soul-stirring voice will surely be there to comfort you.
Love Song of Kaze no BonSayuri Ishikawa
This is a single released by Sayuri Ishikawa in 1989, a local song themed around the “Owara Kaze no Bon” festival held every September in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture.
With this song, she won the Best Vocal Performance at the 31st Japan Record Awards at the end of 1989, and she has performed it twice on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
The piece is crafted as a calm, wistful song that evokes the atmosphere of Owara Kaze no Bon.
gokuraku tonboHiroko Hattori
A new single celebrating Hiroko Hattori’s 35th anniversary debut has arrived! Released in November 2024, the song is characterized by a fantastical and moving atmosphere.
Lyrics by Ayumi Tomori and composition by Satoshi Hibara highlight Hattori’s warm, expressive vocals, which elevate the track’s appeal.
It’s a piece that makes you feel dreams and hopes, as if guiding you from everyday life into an ideal world.
Blending enka and pop, the work preserves Hattori’s signature style while exploring a fresh musical approach.
Her deeply resonant voice enriches the song’s theme even further, making a lasting impression on listeners.
Highly recommended for karaoke fans, too!
fault; mistake; error; sin (context-dependent)Akira Hiyama
This is a powerful, brooding enka-rock track that opens a new chapter for Akira Hiyama.
Featuring a striking arrangement that fuses enka and rock, its emotionally rich lyrics—centered on parting and mistakes—resonate deeply.
Released for digital distribution in November 2024, the song marks another ambitious step in Hiyama’s ongoing pursuit of new challenges and stands out as a notable follow-up to the single “Kyo Kagiri” (Only for Today).
Expressing the complexities of love with a mature, understated intensity, it’s sure to speak to listeners with a wealth of life experience.
Master it at karaoke, and you might just discover a new side of yourself.
ZakurazakaOkhotsk Taro
Taro Okhotsk is an enka artist who is unusual in that he also has the qualities of a singer-songwriter.
With a background influenced by folk and rock, those genres peek through even within his enka songs.
His new track is “Zakurozaka.” With its rock elements, both the vocal lines and melodies lean toward kayōkyoku, yet it still features distinctly enka-style phrases.
Be sure to check it out.