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 (11–20)
Drunk and reelingYin Shun Kei
It was released in 1989 as Ginshi Katsura’s fifth single.
It ranked within the top 100 on the Oricon Singles Chart for 31 weeks and won many awards, including the Gold Prize at the 31st Japan Record Awards and the Wired Music Award at the 22nd Japan Cable Radio Awards.
With this song, she performed at the 40th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it has become one of Ginshi Katsura’s signature songs.
A solitary journey to MichinokuJoji Yamamoto
A signature song by Joji Yamamoto that portrays a love whose depth remains unchanged despite physical distance.
Through lyrical lyrics and melody, it expresses the feelings of a man traveling alone through the Tohoku region while harboring lingering attachment to the woman he parted from.
Released in August 1980, the piece propelled Yamamoto’s career to new heights.
It entered the Oricon Top 10 in the fall of 1981 and stayed within the top 10 for 22 consecutive weeks.
In the end, it became a massive hit, selling over 900,000 copies.
A moving track that resonates with those who, while burdened by the sorrow of farewell, strive to face forward and live on.
O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsFuyumi Sakamoto
Fuyumi Sakamoto is a female enka singer who studied under the acclaimed enka vocalist Yuriko Futaba.
With a highly original musical style that incorporates a wide range of genres, she has gained popularity both within and beyond the enka scene.
Her song “Yozakura Oshichi,” released in 1994, features an unusually upbeat melody for enka at the time.
The vocal range spans from mid1F to hiD, which is typical for female vocals, but the BPM is 140, making it relatively fast, so it’s best to master the rhythm thoroughly before singing.
Returning RiverNatsuko Godai
In 1987, when Natsuko Godai made her re-debut under this name, her debut song was “Modorigawa.” Thanks to steady promotional efforts, the song became a big hit.
It portrays the moment of parting that comes to two people caught up in a dangerous love—the poignant reality that, no matter how hard they try, it’s difficult for them to go on living together.
Godai’s deeply expressive vocals further highlight the sorrow and lingering attachment depicted in the lyrics.
Please give it a listen: a tragic love story—the very essence of enka—about wanting to be together, yet being unable to be.
Jindo MonogatariYoshimi Tendo
This is Yoshimi Tendo’s 32nd single, released in 1996.
Inspired by the sea parting at Jindo in Korea, it is a song that expresses longing for someone far away.
It became Tendo’s first million-selling hit and won the Best Vocal Performance at the 38th Japan Record Awards.
As one of her signature songs, it is also very popular for karaoke.
Yugiri PortKonomi Mori
Set in a fog-shrouded port town, a heart-wrenching love song has been born.
It’s a deeply crafted piece released by Konomi Mori in July 2024.
Drawing on the unique vocal power she honed through folk music, she vividly conveys both the misty harbor scenery and the protagonist’s emotions.
The song is said to be inspired by Kojohama in Shiraoi, Hokkaido: lyrics penned by Akino Madoka, moved by the sight of a landscape wrapped in fog, paired with a poignant melody composed by Chiaki Oka.
Mori shares behind-the-scenes stories on her blog, and the release has been creating buzz among fans.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play when you’re thinking of someone dear, or to listen to alone on a quiet night.
Enka classics you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular songs (21–30)
Casablanca GoodbyeIchiro Toba
Enka singer Ichiro Toba, popular for his wide-ranging musicality from male-voiced to female-voiced songs, has left many masterpieces.
Among them, Casablanca Goodbye is especially recommended as an easy song to sing.
While there are a few spots that feature kobushi (traditional enka vocal ornaments), overall the piece has a flavor closer to kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song).
It employs a very light mixed voice, but the high phrases aren’t very long, and it doesn’t demand much power overall, so the overall difficulty is on the lower side.
Its mood-rich melody is sure to get the crowd going!