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.

Playlist

Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	I’m falling in love with you againFuyumi Sakamoto		Fuyumi’s moving classic song “Falling in Love with You Again”
2	And… a fateful encounterHiroshi Itsuki		A sad reality where even those who love each other part ways, and a reunion
3	Dotonbori SentimentYoshimi Tendo		Yoshimi Tendo’s famous song that sings of Osaka’s warm-hearted spirit
4	Nostalgic JonkaraTakashi Hosokawa		A folk-style masterpiece by Takashi Hosokawa that reflects on his hometown
5	pinwheelIkuzo Yoshi		A heart-touching ballad by Yoshikazu Ikuzō makes its debut
6	Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongKiyoshi Hikawa		Kiyoshi Hikawa's 'Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi'
7	Kokoro KaleidoscopeKeisuke Yamauchi		A heartfelt song depicting Keisuke Yamauchi’s life, expressing hope and vitality.
8	cherry shellHiroshi Itsuki		Hiroshi Itsuki’s 50th-anniversary single ranked No. 1
9	Land of Abundant Rice (Mizuho no Kuni)Akari Yamanishi		A heartwarming enka that paints scenes of rice
10	Heart SakeAyako Fuji		A hit as one of Aya Fuki's signature songs
11	Boat SongAki Yashiro		Aki Yashiro’s classic hit, an award-winning masterpiece that has received numerous prizes.
12	Woman’s DepartureNobue Matsubara		Nobue Matsubara, a landmark debut song, a moving piece
13	Crossing Amagi PassSayuri Ishikawa		Sayuri Ishikawa’s “Amagi-goe” is a song of passionate confession.
14	North TavernTakashi Hosokawa		A winter night, a fateful encounter, and burning passion
15	Drunk and reelingYin Shun Kei		Representative songs by Ginshuku Katsura, recipient of numerous awards.
16	A solitary journey to MichinokuJoji Yamamoto		Joji Yamamoto’s classic: the emotions of parting and travel
17	O-Shichi and the Night Cherry BlossomsFuyumi Sakamoto		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s “Yozakura Oshichi” is original.
18	Returning RiverNatsuko Godai		A classic by Natsuko Godai depicting a heartbreaking farewell in a dangerous love
19	Jindo MonogatariYoshimi Tendo		Yoshimi Tendo’s hit song themed around the parting of the sea
20	Yugiri PortKonomi Mori		A bittersweet love song set in a foggy port town
21	Casablanca GoodbyeIchiro Toba		Ichiro Toba's 'Casablanca Goodbye' is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
22	You don’t have to go back.Aya Shimazu		A song in the Kumamoto dialect, expressing feelings through the local vernacular
23	Wajima Morning MarketKaori Mizumori		Kaori Mizumori’s popular song depicting the Wajima Morning Market
24	Harbor Town No. 13Hibari Misora		A sailor song depicting the port towns of Hibari Misora
25	I’m going to Tokyo.Ikuzo Yoshi		Summarized in 20 characters: An enka singer who creates highly original songs
26	Festival MamboHibari Misora		Hibari Misora’s classic hit—an easy-to-sing, crowd-pleasing song
27	Our town was green indeed.Masao Sen		Masao Sen’s gentle, memorable melody…
28	Scorpio womanKenichi Mikawa		Kenichi Mikawa's signature song 'Man's Pure Heart'
29	unconditional loveShinichi Mori		Shinichi Mori’s crowning achievement: a Reiwa-era enka of gratitude and milestones
30	I long for Southern HokkaidoYudai Koyama		A moving work that sings of deep love and bonds for one's hometown
31	Crimson ButterflyKeisuke Yamauchi		A love story that burns fleetingly like a butterfly.
32	Naniwa SpiritFuyumi Sakamoto		A song that conveys a positive outlook on life with a powerful singing voice
33	Tipsy Breeze TavernYuito Nakamura		A life-affirming anthem by an active high school enka singer
34	Longing for RainAki Yashiro		Aki’s captivating voice and the classic song “Ame no Bojo” (Yearning in the Rain)
35	America BridgeYutaka Yamakawa		Singing a bittersweet love story of the Ebisu Minami Bridge
36	Rainbow BayonKiyoshi Hikawa		Kiyoshi Hikawa, classic masterpieces of Showa-era kayōkyoku
37	Funamizaka (Funami Slope)Sora Taiju		A bittersweet love song set in a northern port town
38	Come back.Kazuko Matsumura		A pep song to encourage a colleague who was demoted
39	Sake InnKaori Kouzai		Kaori Kouzai 25th anniversary commemorative single is a big hit
40	Midnight ShowerYin Shun Kei		A sophisticated song sung by the husky-voiced Gin Shū
41	Osaka RhapsodyChisato and Mari Umihara		A bright song from Osaka, the big hit by the Uminara sisters
42	full moonNatsuko Godai		A song that opens up a new frontier for Natsuko Godai
43	The Camellia Sasanqua InnEisaku Okawa		Eisaku Okawa’s classic hit portrays the love of the sasanqua (camellia).
44	I won’t let you go tonight.Rumiko Koyanagi & Yukio Hashi		Yukio Hashi’s lively duet song is captivating.
45	A Doll’s HouseMieko Hirota		Mieko Hirota’s classic hit, a heartrending love song
46	Love SongKiyoshi Maekawa		A love song of gentle melodies and the resonance of the saxophone
47	Homesickness on a JourneyMidori Nishizaki		A wistful love song, Midori Nishizaki’s classic
48	Passionate MamboHiroko Hattori		Hattori Hiroko’s Latin-style songs are popular.
49	The northern city, HakodateDaisuke Kitagawa		A bittersweet romance in a port town, set in Hakodate
50	Kawachi Otoko-bushiMitsuko Nakamura		Kawachi Ondo-style enka, popular at Bon Odori festivals
51	A Man’s Love StoryFuyumi Sakamoto		Fuyumi Sakamoto's first song to enter the weekly top ten
52	wintering swallowMasako Mori		"Ettou Tsubame" is a masterpiece composed by Hiroshi En."
53	Osaka sparrowMiyuki Nagai		Miyuki Nagai’s debut song from Osaka became a hit.
54	ComradeIchiro Toba		A classic enka masterpiece that passionately sings of men's bonds and life.
55	perchSachiko Kobayashi		The bittersweet lingering attachment and love of a woman who has been left
56	cornflowerNatsuko Godai		Natsuko Godai’s heartrending heartbreak song, Purple Flower
57	Mount TsurugiTakeshi Kitayama		Takeshi Kitayama, the moving song he performed on NHK’s Kōhaku
58	festivalSaburō Kitajima		Saburo Kitajima’s famous song “Matsuri” is uplifting.
59	grandchildItsuro Oizumi		The famous song by Itsurō Ōizumi that sings of love for his grandchild
60	A Flower of This WorldChiyoko Shimakura		A classic about youth and first love: Chiyoko Shimakura’s debut song
61	Two-person sakeMiyuki Kawanaka		Miyuki Kawanaka scored a hit with her signature song “Hashire! Kayōkyoku.”
62	The Northern LandSaburō Kitajima		An acclaimed classic by Saburo Kitajima singing about his hometown wins the grand prize.
63	Kyoto NostalgiaMaiko Takigawa		Kyoto Bojo is a song that triggers a man's protective instincts.
64	thorn treeSachiko Kobayashi		Sachiko Kobayashi, a 50th-anniversary song written by Masashi Sada
65	Aizen Katsura Once MoreAya Shimazu		Aya Shimazu moves hearts with a deeply moving enka performance
66	a pittanceYin Shun Kei		An enka song by Ginshi Katsura that embraces parting in a positive way.
67	Love Song of Kaze no BonSayuri Ishikawa		A famous song by Sayuri Ishikawa that portrays a traditional festival of Toyama
68	gokuraku tonboHiroko Hattori		Hiroko Hattori’s 35th debut anniversary—an inspiring new song has arrived!
69	fault; mistake; error; sin (context-dependent)Akira Hiyama		Akira Hiyama’s gritty enka-rock new single
70	ZakurazakaOkhotsk Taro		A new song by a singer who fuses enka and rock
71	Late-Blooming HEROYuasa Michiru		A powerful anthem cheering on those who chase their dreams, resonating in the heart
72	The one I still love even after we’ve broken upLos Indios & Sylvia		A hit urban enka duet song
73	Flowers of TsugaruYuri Harada		Yuri Harada’s smash hit, first appearance on Kōhaku
74	Such is a woman’s soliloquyMasuiyama Daishiro		A masterpiece by Taishiro Masuiyama, capturing a woman's heartrending feelings.
75	Captain SlowpokeHiroshi Oe		A song that portrays Hiroshi Oe’s dreams and determination for success.
76	Wharf of TransienceKeisuke Yamauchi		Keisuke Yamauchi achieves his first Top 5 entry with a single.
77	Koitou (Koitome) CoastHiromi Yamaguchi		Koitoui Coast in Hokkaido, a bittersweet love story
78	Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)Miyuki Kawanaka		Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic song about marital love
79	My shopShin Goro		Shingorō’s classic song about a tavern in Saitama
80	The Last DrinkTohji Kimura		Teiji Kimura’s farewell song, a classic that touches the heart
81	companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)Mieko Makimura		The bond conveyed by a loving ‘Michizure’
82	Blue Night in SapporoShinichiro Hakozaki		The famous song by enka singer Shinichiro Hakozaki, a voice that resonates in the heart
83	Life is like a Naniwa-bushi (a melodramatic ballad).Takashi Hosokawa		Enka is the best for relieving stress!
84	The person I fell in love withHarumi Miyako		Harumi Miyako’s classic songs are revived with fresh energy by the younger generation.
85	Still in YokohamaMiyuki Kadomatsu		A bittersweet love song set in Yokohama, attuned to the scenery of the port town
86	Otaru no hito yoMasayoshi Tsuruoka and Tokyo Romantica		Otaru’s snowy scenery, a heartbreaking classic about lost love
87	freezing rainAkio Kayama		“Hiyosame” is a hugely popular enka song from the 1980s.
88	Drunken SongIkuzo Yoshi		The signature song of Ikuzo Yoshi, a bittersweet feeling toward his father
89	Let me get drunk—just for tonight.Sanae Jōnouchi		Sanae Jōnouchi’s hit song wins the Cable Music Award
90	Angels of the CityTakao Horiuchi & Chaeuni		Takao Horiuchi, who moved from folk singing to achieve success in enka
91	A One-Yen Coin VagabondKaori Mizumori		The enka song “Ichien-dama no Tabigarasu” became a hit.
92	Like the flow of a riverHibari Misora		Healed by Hibari Misora's 'Like the Flow of the River'
93	My daughter,Gannosuke Ashiya		A classic song that sings of a father's love before his daughter's wedding
94	Lament of ResentmentKeiko Fuji		Solve Love Troubles with Keiko Fuji’s “Grudge Ballad”
95	From the northern innHarumi Miyako		Harumi Miyako’s signature songs, songs that won the Japan Record Award
96	abandonedYoko Nagayama		Yoko Nagayama’s signature song won the Wired Music Award and led to a Kouhaku (NHK New Year’s Eve) appearance.
97	Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Naomi Chiaki		Yagiri no Watashi: Originally a B-side song that changed its fate
98	companion on the road; fellow traveler; taking someone along (often unwillingly)Hiroshi Miyama		Miyama’s masterpiece that depicts the bonds of life
99	Premonition of PartingMiyuki Yamamoto		Miyuki Yamamoto sings “Presentiment of Parting” with deep emotion.
100	Will you marry me?Kenji Niinuma		A signature song by Kenji Niinuma that sings about rural views on marriage.
101	Madam of the Pleasure QuarterTatsue Kaneda		Motherly Love in the Entertainment Quarter, a Masterpiece by Tatsue Kaneda
102	Cape ErimoShinichi Mori		Cape Erimo, a refreshing and gentle classic song
103	devotionYutaka Akiba & Alon Knights		Akiba Yutaka’s enka is captivating and perfect for making up.
104	Unstaffed stationMisaki Iwasa		Enka debut single becomes a hot topic