[2025] Easy-to-Sing Enka: From Classic Masterpieces to Recent Hits [Female Singers Edition]

airportTeresa Teng

Kuukou

The classic song “Kūkō” (Airport) is notable for its passionate brass intro.

While it’s categorized as kayōkyoku, its melody and structure are thoroughly enka, with familiar phrases sprinkled throughout that resonate with Japanese listeners.

The vocal range is somewhat wide and the pitch movement a bit dynamic, but there are no kobushi—those intricate enka-style pitch ornaments—so the overall difficulty is relatively low.

Because the dynamics are dramatic, be mindful to use a whispery tone effectively in the quieter phrases.

forgotten umbrellaHiroko Hattori

Wasure Gasa

Hiroko Hattori’s classic “Wasuregasa” is both heartwarming and steeped in melancholy.

It faithfully carries the hallmarks of enka, featuring kobushi (melismatic ornamentation) in most parts.

While the frequent use of kobushi raises the overall difficulty, the song pursues enka authenticity so thoroughly that the vocal line remains clear and simple.

The tempo is very relaxed as well, so anyone with basic enka singing skills should be able to perform it without trouble.

abandonedYoko Nagayama

Yoko Nagayama “Suterarete” Music Video

One of Yoko Nagayama’s signature songs and an absolute karaoke favorite! Released in 1995, “Suterarete” cemented her status as an enka singer after she transitioned from idol singer to enka in 1993.

Her “demo ne” pose also became a hot topic at the time.

While it’s an enka number, it carries a slightly kayōkyoku-like flavor.

Although techniques like subtle kobushi (grace notes) and vibrato appear throughout, the overall difficulty isn’t that high, and there are no extreme high notes, making it relatively easy to sing.

It’s a great choice even for beginners singing Nagayama’s songs for the first time!

Woman Harbor TownAki Yashiro

Aki Yashiro “Onna Minatomachi”

Onna Minato-machi is a single released by Aki Yashiro in 1977.

In fact, it’s a cover of the original song Onna Minato-machi released in 1973 by Yuji Minami and the Full Sails.

It’s a classic that was performed at the 28th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen and received a Special Award at the 10th All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards.

With a richly kayōkyoku-influenced sound, it’s an ideal choice for karaoke, especially for those who aren’t yet accustomed to straightforward enka or who love Showa-era pop.

The rhythmical A melody with clearly articulated Japanese and light accents, as well as the distinctive vibrato sections that appear in the B melody and chorus, can make it easy to go off pitch, so be sure to focus your practice on those parts.

Bouquet of flowersAki Yashiro

Bouquet of flowers

Among Aki Yashiro’s songs, the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is “Hana (Bouquet) Taba.” This work isn’t enka, her usual battleground, but instead puts pop front and center throughout.

As pop, it feels somewhat like a song by Pedro & Capricious, perhaps? There are no kobushi (the challenging enka vocal ornament) at all, and there aren’t many long tones either, so as long as you have basic vocal ability, you can aim for a high score.

Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.

perchSachiko Kobayashi

Tomarigi

Riding the momentum of the smash hit “Omoide-zake,” “Tomarigi,” released in 1980, is Sachiko Kobayashi’s 29th single.

It’s also one of her signature songs, with lyrics and music by Eiji Takino, a prolific creator of many classics.

It’s as popular at karaoke as “Omoide-zake” and “Yuki Tsubaki,” so some of you have probably heard others sing it.

Overall, while the song spans a wide vocal range and has its challenges, the somewhat wistful, melancholic melody line is straightforward, and the chord progression is simple, so you shouldn’t struggle with rhythm or pitch.

I recommend listening closely to the original and studying where Kobayashi uses vibrato and kobushi (ornamental bends).

Passionate MamboHiroko Hattori

Hiroko Hattori “Passionate Mambo” Music Video

Latin-flavored songs often appear in the enka scene.

Most singers have released at least one such piece.

Hiroko Hattori is no exception; she has released Latin-style songs, and among them, “Jōnetsu no Mambo” is particularly popular with fans.

As a genre it’s kayōkyoku, with touches of mambo sprinkled throughout.

There’s no kobushi (melismatic ornamentation) at all, and there are many rests, so you can prepare well before the vocal entries.

The range is somewhat wide, but overall it’s a very easy song to sing.