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 (71–80)
Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)Miyuki Kawanaka
A masterpiece themed around marital love is powerfully sung by Miyuki Kawanaka.
The feelings of a couple who care for each other even after quarrels are expressed through lyrics and melody that truly touch the heart.
Released in January 1998, the song is also known as the Heisei-era version of “Futari-zake” and became a major hit.
It won the Most Requested award on the cable radio rankings that year and earned multiple appearances at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s perfect not only for enka fans but also for couples and lovers who want to sing together at karaoke.
If you sing it while snuggling up to each other, it will surely become a wonderful memory.
My shopShin Goro
A triple-meter kayōkyoku by Shingorō Shin, inspired by a real bar in Saitama Prefecture.
The lyrics, told from a regular’s perspective, feature three archetypes: the guy living alone, the married guy, and the first-timer.
Shin’s warm voice gently sings of the bonds among the people who gather at the bar.
Released in January 2024, the song drew attention as his first single after moving to Nippon Crown.
It’s a track you’ll want to savor slowly with your favorite drink in hand—perfect not only for enka fans, but also for anyone longing for the cozy glow of a neighborhood pub.
The Last DrinkTohji Kimura
A song by Tetsuji Kimura that brings a sweet, heartrending farewell vividly to life.
With a soda-and-barley drink before them, the lyrics capture the aching emotions of two people who have resolved to part.
Kimura’s powerful vocals convey both the sorrow and the beauty of goodbye, resonating deeply with listeners.
Released in February 2024 and winner of the 65th Japan Record Awards New Artist Award, this track fully showcases Kimura’s talent.
Written by his older brother, Ryuzo Kimura, it’s a wonderful piece that also reflects the brothers’ bond.
It’s a song we especially recommend to anyone feeling the fragility of love or the pain of parting.
Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks (81–90)
companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)Mieko Makimura
If you have someone you want to marry, the best song to sing in place of a proposal is “Michizure.” As the title suggests, its lyrics express the wish to walk through life together.
The actor Tetsuya Watari originally sang it, but when Mieko Makimura asked him for permission to sing the song, it was released as her record.
Overflowing with chivalry, Watari decided it wouldn’t be good for Makimura if there were two versions of the same song, so he took his own “Michizure” out of print.
Blue Night in SapporoShinichiro Hakozaki
Shinichiro Hakozaki, who sings Blue Night in Sapporo, is an enka singer who debuted in 1969.
He is a master of using falsetto in the middle of songs, and with his sweet voice he was an exceptional talent at expressing the bittersweet feelings of a woman’s heart.
This song is a hidden enka masterpiece, and if you sing it at karaoke, it will surely leave a deep impression of you on any woman present.
Life is like a Naniwa-bushi (a melodramatic ballad).Takashi Hosokawa
My recommendation for an enka song to sing when you want to blow off stress is “Naniwabushi da yo Jinsei wa.” Its relentlessly cheerful melody makes you feel refreshed as you sing.
In today’s society, where stress tends to build up, belting out songs at karaoke to loosen up your mood is important.
Pour your heart into a bright enka tune and recharge your energy for tomorrow.
The person I fell in love withHarumi Miyako
Harumi Miyako’s “Suki ni Natta Hito” was released in September 1968, so it’s quite an old song, but I remember being impressed when I saw the TV personality Risa Yoshiki sing it on a TV show once.
When a young woman sings this song, the unexpected contrast makes it interesting, and it can leave those around her with a fresh impression of a new, appealing personality.