[2025] Recommended for those who struggle with high notes! Enka by male singers that can be sung in a low register

DreamIkuzo Yoshi

Ikuzo Yoshi “Dream” New Japan House commercial song

The classic song “Dream,” which gained nationwide popularity as the commercial jingle for Shin Nihon House, isn’t enka but primarily pop.

It features a breezy, surfer-music-like feel with a smooth, flowing vocal line.

Since it’s pop, there’s no kobushi-style ornamentation.

Additionally, the vocal range is quite narrow, so even those with a limited range or who struggle with enka should be able to sing it without trouble.

Its name recognition is tremendous, making it a big hit at karaoke.

Be sure to add it to your repertoire.

Harbor TavernYutaka Yamakawa

Minato Sakaba

The masterpiece “Minato Sakaba,” with its expansive vocals and bittersweet melody, leaves a strong impression.

Since it’s a relatively recent song, Yutaka Yamakawa’s low, mature phrasing—something he didn’t have in his younger days—really stands out.

Although this piece falls into the so-called ‘man’s song’ category and has plenty of power, it never resorts to the roughness of shouted vocals.

Instead, it conveys masculinity through lower tones, which makes it a bit challenging for men with higher voices.

The frequency and difficulty of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns) are far easier than in typical enka, so if you have a deep voice, consider adding it to your repertoire.

Snow Dance BridgeYutaka Yamakawa

Yukimai Bashi

Among enka singers, Yutaka Yamakawa is especially known for the strong influence of Showa-era kayokyoku in his music.

He is noted for having many songs in the mood kayokyoku style, and Yukimaibashi is a track where you can fully savor that mood-kayokyoku flavor.

This song does not feature kobushi, a hallmark of enka, and instead maintains a gently flowing vocal line with little dramatic rise or fall throughout.

The vocal range is narrow and there are no powerful long tones, so as long as you can manage vibrato and dynamic shading, almost anyone could sing it at a semi-professional level.

Love is pointless anyway.Hiroshi Takeshima

Love is pointless anyway.

“How Could Love Matter Anyway,” included as the coupling track to the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō,” which is packed with romantic kayōkyoku flavor, is a piece by the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi, just like the A-side.

Its sweet, heartrending melody carries a certain elegance and fits perfectly with Takeshima’s refined vocals.

The pitch is on the lower side and the range isn’t wide; built around the mid-register, it’s a song many people will find easy to sing, making it a great choice for karaoke.

Try singing it without embarrassment, as if you were stepping into Takeshima’s shoes!

The first person I fell in love withHiroshi Takeshima

[MV] Hiroshi Takeshima / The First Person I Ever Loved (full ver.)

Following the so-called “Trilogy of Being Led to Dance” — Koimachi Counter, Uwasa no Futari, and Yume no Furiko — Hatsumete Suki ni Natta Hito, released in 2020, is a beautiful, gently paced medium ballad that showcases Hiroshi Takeshima’s signature sweet and heartrending vocals to the fullest.

With its melody built almost entirely in the mid range and pitched quite low overall, it may feel refreshing to listeners accustomed to contemporary J-pop where high notes tend to take center stage.

Takeshima himself said at the time of the song’s release that he was “returning to basics and competing with just the singing,” so please take the time to fully grasp the world depicted in the lyrics by Goro Matsui — which earned the Special Jury Prize at the 53rd Japan Lyrics Awards — and sing it with all your heart!

The Rumored TwoHiroshi Takeshima

Hiroshi Takeshima / The Rumored Two

Following Koinmachi Counter—which also made waves for its choreography known as the “Koinmachi Dance”—Rumor Duo was released in 2019 as the second installment of the “irresistibly danceable kayōkyoku,” once again created with the golden duo of Goro Matsui and Takashi Toshimi.

You can also watch a performance video with the School Mates from a concert on the official YouTube channel, so be sure to check that out.

The song is packed with a Showa-era kayōkyoku vibe and has an up-tempo feel that’s perfect for karaoke, and its catchy melody is so easy to remember you’ll have it down after just one listen.

If possible, I’d love for you to aim for a complete copy, choreography and all!

sunsetJoji Yamamoto

sunset

Released in 1988 as a single by Joji Yamamoto, “Yuuhi” is a masterpiece featuring poignantly melancholic lyrics by Toyohisa Araki that contrast the unchanging dynamics between men and women with the image of a setting sun.

Yamamoto’s careful, heartfelt delivery is deeply moving, and the song is popular at karaoke, so many people have likely heard it.

With an atmosphere between enka and kayōkyoku and only modest use of enka techniques like kobushi, it’s approachable even for beginners to enka.

The melody sits generally low, which helps those who struggle with high notes, but the overall range is somewhat wide—especially in the chorus, where it’s easy to go off pitch—so keep that in mind as you practice.