Crossing Amagi PassSayuri Ishikawa1rank/position

Sayuri Ishikawa - Amagi-goe

Set against Amagi Pass on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, this masterpiece of enka portrays the passionate emotions of a woman consumed by a forbidden love.

The beautiful natural scenery of Izu is artfully interwoven with her deep attachment to the one she loves, and Sayuri Ishikawa’s emotionally rich singing resonates deeply.

Released in July 1986, the song initially struggled in sales, but it has continued to be cherished by many, including being performed multiple times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In 2008, MLB player Ichiro also chose it as his walk-up music, drawing widespread attention.

Steeped in nostalgia and brimming with expressive lyrics, it’s a song that invites listeners into its world and can be enjoyed together with older adults.

Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneSayuri Ishikawa2rank/position

Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene

There is a classic song that beautifully and poignantly portrays a northern winter landscape and a bittersweet love.

Powerfully sung by Sayuri Ishikawa, the piece recounts the feelings of a woman traveling from Ueno on a night train to Aomori, where she bids a final farewell aboard the Seikan ferry.

Since its 1977 release, it has garnered numerous honors, including the Japan Record Award for Best Vocal Performance, and stands as a monumental work in the enka genre.

Set against the frigid Tsugaru Strait, the image of a woman quietly deciding to part ways amid snow and the roar of the sea is deeply moving.

Please enjoy a wonderful time together, singing along or clapping in rhythm as you savor nostalgic memories.

You like whisky, don’t you?Sayuri Ishikawa3rank/position

You like whisky, don’t you?

This song is a very popular number—a mellow, bittersweet blend of jazz and enka.

It’s also a karaoke favorite.

The melody follows a familiar flow, making it easy to sing.

The key is to take it slow and avoid rushing, singing in a way that draws listeners in.

Try delivering it with a relaxed, distinctive tempo and a mature sound.

Your karaoke room might just turn into another world (lol).

Iyasa(ka), YassaiSayuri Ishikawa4rank/position

Sayuri Ishikawa “Yasaka (Iyasaka) Yassai” Music Video

This enka number, themed on Noto’s traditional Abare Festival, delivers a bold, powerful impression.

With lyrics by Shohei Mozu and composition by Keisuke Hama, it’s an ambitious work set to be released in March 2025 as a song by Sayuri Ishikawa.

The layered chants create a vibrant sense of motion, while the intricate arrangement enhances the song’s appeal.

It’s a track brimming with immediacy, as if you can feel the festival’s heat and hear people’s breathing.

Carrying the spirit of a festival with a 350-year history into the present, it sings grandly of prayers for health and bountiful harvests.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear when you need a lift or when you’d like to sing along with someone special.

Tokyo Meguri-ai (Tokyo Serendipitous Encounters/Love by Chance in Tokyo)Sayuri Ishikawa / Koto Kaze5rank/position

Tokyo Meguri-ai (Fateful Encounter) - Sayuri Ishikawa & Kotozakura

This is a duet released in August 1984 by the unusual pairing of Sayuri Ishikawa, known as a treasure of the enka world, and Masanori Kotonofuji (formerly the sumo wrestler Kotonofuji) after his transition from professional sumo.

The story portrays lovers who reunite in Tokyo after being apart and reaffirm their love, expressed through Rei Nakanishi’s emotionally rich lyrics and Shosuke Ichikawa’s wistful melody.

The work received the Planning Award at the 26th Japan Record Awards and was also performed at the 35th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen that same year.

It’s a perfect song to sing in sync with a duet partner at karaoke or in a snack bar.

Naniwa SistersChiyoko Shimakura, Sayuri Ishikawa6rank/position

Naniwa Sisters - Sayuri Ishikawa + Chiyoko Shimakura (Chinese and Japanese Subtitles)

For fans of enka and kayōkyoku, this is an unmissable duet: a song released in October 1987 by Chiyoko Shimakura and Sayuri Ishikawa.

Set in the back alleys of Osaka, its lyrics—sprinkled with Kansai dialect lines—vividly depict the bond of two sisters helping each other.

Carried by a gently flowing enka-style melody, their voices blend beautifully, evoking the feeling of real sisters.

Place names like “Iroha Yokocho” and “Sumiyoshi-san” also appear, steeping the song in Osaka’s atmosphere.

It’s a must for enka fans and a great pick for anyone who wants to savor the mood of the Showa era.

Eternal JourneySayuri Ishikawa7rank/position

Sayuri Ishikawa “Eternal Journey” Music Video

The single song “Tokoshie no Tabi,” released in June 2024, is a single by Sayuri Ishikawa, with lyrics by Goro Matsui, music by Tokiko Kato, and arrangement by Neko Saito.

It conveys a sense of compassionate, Buddha-like serenity that reflects her long career, while her unchangingly beautiful voice leaves you feeling purified.

While retaining elements of enka, the song has the vibe of a medium-tempo J-pop ballad, so Ishikawa refrains from kobushi ornamentation and heavy vibrato, instead delivering the wistful melody gently—making it easy to sing even for those who aren’t fond of enka.

Take time to read the lyrics thoroughly, and try to sing with heartfelt feeling.