Enka Singers Most Popular at Karaoke [2025]

Traveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara85rank/position

Ishihara Yujiro "Traveler of the North"

A classic song that depicts the harsh northern landscapes and a bittersweet love, it is one of Yujiro Ishihara’s signature works.

The protagonist’s feelings as he travels through Kushiro, Hakodate, and Otaru are woven together with a wistful melody.

Released as a single in August 1987, it was also used as an insert song for the TV Asahi drama “Seibu Keisatsu.” Ishihara’s distinctive low voice is captivating, and the song is popular for karaoke.

Even beginners will find it easy to sing thanks to its relaxed tempo and straightforward melody.

Why not picture the great northern land and take your time singing it?

No way!/Not a chance!Mika Jinno86rank/position

Mika Jinno “Mappira Gomen” Music Video

This is a cool song that exudes strength and faces forward without hesitation! It’s a track by Mika Shinno, who thrives beyond the boundaries of enka, and it’s set to be released as a single in May 2025.

Her soul-stirring vocals are irresistible.

Singing about the resolve to carve out the future on one’s own two feet, this piece gives you a boost just by listening.

Perfect for belting out at karaoke when you want to feel refreshed, or when you want to liven up the mood by showing a different side of yourself!

O north wind...Kohei Fukuda87rank/position

[Official] Kohei Fukuda 'Oh, North Wind...' [Full MV]

Kohei Fukuda is known for having many extremely difficult songs, but among them, the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is Kitakaze yo.

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While it firmly inherits the essence of enka, it also features a catchy quality that hints at kayōkyoku influences here and there.

Since there aren’t many passages with consecutive, intricate kobushi (ornamental turns), this piece can be considered quite easy to sing by his standards.

However, because the song emphasizes sustained notes, you will need to deliver high-tone long notes.

Okuhida BojoTetsuya Ryu88rank/position

Tetsuya Ryuu – Okuhida Yearning [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This is Tetsuya Ryu’s debut single, released in 1980.

With this song, he even appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1981.

Despite losing his eyesight at 25, he persevered, debuting as an enka street performer in his hometown of Takayama, Gifu, with an accordion in his arms.

He sings the lyrics, set in his home region of Okuhida, with deep emotion.

This is enka at its finest—a masterpiece packed with its unique charm.

The style features an abundance of kobushi, the characteristic melodic ornaments of enka.

To master it, listen to the recording and try imitating the kobushi.

As you repeat, you’ll start to grasp their nuances.

Be sure to mimic the note sustains and accents closely.

Not only will this help you score higher, it will undoubtedly make singing enka even more enjoyable.

Headwind InnocenceHiroshi Takeshima89rank/position

[MV] Hiroshi Takeshima / Headwind Innocence (Full version)

Released in 2021 and peaking at No.

5 on the Oricon chart, the hit song “Mukaikaze Junjō” is a track that showcases Hiroshi Takeshima’s refined vocals and is also known as the theme song for the NHK BS drama “Daifugō Dōshin 2.” With lyrics by Goro Matsui and composition by Takashi Toshimi—both giants in the field—it’s a killer tune that evokes the golden era of Showa-era pop.

Many people will likely want to try it at karaoke.

When singing it at karaoke, be sure to pronounce each word clearly, and consciously create contrast between the crisp, rhythmic parts and the expansive, sustained phrases.

While recreating the choreography that drew attention in the music video, don’t be shy—go all in and sing with bold, stylish flair, even to the point of overdoing it.

Night in AtamiShinichiro Hakozaki90rank/position

Shinichiro Hakozaki, “Night in Atami” (2)

Shinichiro Hakozaki is a singer who gained popularity for his music centered on enka and kayōkyoku and his sultry vocals.

While he’s an artist with strong kayōkyoku elements, his songs prominently feature robust kobushi (ornamental vocal turns), a style that could be called neo-enka.

Among his tracks, the one I especially recommend is Atami no Yoru.

It’s a work steeped in melancholy and allure, and although it leans heavily into enka, the kobushi it uses are relatively easy to sing.

If you spin the kobushi with a hiccup-like flip in your voice, it will sound authentic—so give it a try.

Scorpio womanKenichi Mikawa91rank/position

Kenichi Mikawa “Woman of Scorpio (New Recording)” (Official Audio)

A song that portrays the feelings of a passionate, single-minded woman was released in December 1972 and became a hit, achieving strong results on the Oricon charts.

With its distinctive lyrics and melody, along with an unmistakable vocal style, it captured the hearts of many and was performed seven times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The lyrics, which project the traits of Scorpio onto a female figure, express the complex emotions of romance.

Widely known as one of Kenichi Mikawa’s signature songs, it’s also popular as material for impressionists.

When tackling it at karaoke, it’s important to keep Mikawa’s unique timbre and expressive delivery in mind while immersing yourself in the song’s world.

Even beginners to enka will find it enjoyable to sing thanks to its familiar melody and memorable lyrics.