Enka’s recent hit songs in 2025: Must-watch popular kayō tracks
In this article, we’ll introduce the latest hit enka songs recommended not only for longtime fans but also for those who’ve recently gotten into the genre.
We carefully selected tracks by comparing multiple charts, balancing freshness with popularity.
While enka is often associated with passionate, emotionally charged performances, we found that many recent songs are quite accessible and easy to enjoy.
Give them a listen and you may discover something new—or even find a favorite singer you didn’t know before.
Use this article as a guide when researching today’s most popular enka tracks!
[2025] Recent enka hit songs: Must-see popular kayō songs (1–10)
Let’s call it good with this.Kenichi Mikawa
In September 2024, a stunning 60th-anniversary debut single was released.
The star-studded collaboration—music by Takahiro Matsumoto of B’z and lyrics by TAKURO of GLAY—has been creating a buzz.
Set at a medium tempo, the song reflects Kenichi Mikawa’s life thus far and his natural, unpretentious way of living.
It symbolizes an attitude of looking ahead rather than dwelling on the past, infused with Mikawa’s distinctive humor and sharp outlook on life.
The work has garnered support not only from enka fans but from a wide audience, with Matsumoto’s guitar performance and TAKURO’s poetic expression standing out in particular.
Celebrating Mikawa’s six decades as a singer, this piece adorns his career and is poised to become a beloved song for many as a culmination of his life’s work.
News from BizenSaori Nonaka
This song, released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the merger of Bizen City in Okayama Prefecture, conveys the charm of the area through Saori Nonaka’s clear, uplifting vocals.
The lyrics weave in the city’s symbolic colors—Bizen ware red, the blue of the Seto Inland Sea, and the green of its abundant nature—depicting the beauty of the changing seasons and warm encounters with local people.
Released in October 2024, the track has also become beloved as Bizen City’s official song and is featured at local events and in tourism promotions.
As part of Ms.
Nonaka’s 35th anniversary celebrations, it has drawn special attention, and its friendly, karaoke-ready melody is one of its hallmarks.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience the hometown pride in the lyrics and the warmth of Nonaka’s voice.
Maria of the LabyrinthYuto Tatsumi
A song has arrived that captivates with profound emotion and a refined melody that resonates in people’s hearts.
Crafted by Yuto Tatsumi, this work paints a portrait of a complex world of love, like a labyrinth.
It features an unforgettable hook and a melody that lingers, and compared to the previous release, it’s an even more driving kayō-pop number.
Released in May 2024, this is Tatsumi’s eighth single.
It comes in three versions—Type A, Type B, and Type C—each with a different coupling track, which is a welcome bonus.
It’s recommended not only for those troubled by love but also for anyone who wants to discover a new appeal in enka.
Why not listen with a calm heart and let it sink in?
Izayoi BridgeNEW!Kenta Koori
While preserving the traditions of enka, Kenta Koori showcases a unique commitment to emotional expression.
Released in October 2025, “Izayoi Bridge” tells a story that layers a bittersweet longing over the image of a moon that will soon begin to wane.
Written by lyricist Asakoyomi on a night of the full moon, the piece delicately depicts the subtle signs of parting drifting in the moonlight.
If you’re looking for a gently lyrical ballad, be sure to give it a listen.
Love...passionHiroshi Miyama
A new frontier in enka infused with burning emotion: Hiroshi Miyama’s “Koi… Jonen” (Love… Passion).
Released on January 10, 2024, this fresh yet irresistibly captivating song for enka fans is a masterpiece that lights a fiery heart determined to confront the obstacles of love.
The protagonist’s devotion—offering everything to the one they love—will surely resonate deeply in your heart.
The melody slips seamlessly into the soul, and Miyama’s rich expressiveness leaves a profound impression on listeners.
The resolve to challenge love’s barriers and the new allure he has forged within enka are distilled into this one track.
Delivering a passionate message, “Koi… Jonen” is certain to draw in new listeners as well.
Big brotherYutaka Yamakawa
A new enka song by Yutaka Yamakawa themed around the bond between brothers, portraying the importance of family ties and personal growth.
The powerful bond within their rugged, few-words relationship is expressed through deeply emotive lyrics and Yamakawa’s rich, resonant voice.
Released in October 2024, this track can be seen as a culmination of Yamakawa’s long musical career.
With a relaxed tempo and a classic enka structure, it delivers a profoundly moving listening experience.
Symbolically depicting sibling relationships and life’s hardships, it’s recommended not only for enka fans but also for anyone who wants to feel the importance of family.
moored boatNEW!Kazuko Mifune
Sixty years after her 1965 debut, a single symbolizing that journey was released in October 2025.
This work, which overlays the feelings of two lovers who cannot be together onto a boat, is a classic enka that captures the subtleties of a heartrending romance.
The emotive lyrics by Chiyo Yoshimi, the wistful melody by Chiaki Oka, and the arrangement by Tatsuo Matsui—fusing tradition with a contemporary sonic balance—are in splendid harmony.
Moreover, Kazuko Mifune’s richly expressive vocals vividly convey the rising passion from the conversational A-melody to the soaring chorus.
A track to savor slowly.