Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2025]

Two-person sakeMiyuki Kawanaka71rank/position

Two-person sake

Miyuki Kawanaka’s classic “Futari Sake” is distinguished by its warm, memorable melody.

It’s an orthodox enka piece imbued with a sense of melancholy.

As with typical enka, the challenging kobushi ornament appears multiple times; however, roughly a third of these are not pitch-bending turns so much as kobushi that apply vibrato.

Because this type of kobushi is far easier than the regular kind, the song can definitely be considered an easy one.

Do add it to your repertoire.

A beautiful day for lifeMiyuki Kawanaka72rank/position

Miyuki Kawanaka “Jinsei Biyori” Music Video

From her debut, Miyuki Kawanaka has been known for her distinctive, rich voice, and lately that voice has gained even more power and presence.

As a result, she’s been releasing more forceful songs as her career progresses.

One recommendation is Jinsei Biyori, released in 2024.

It features a powerful delivery with effective shouts.

While executing the shouts can be challenging, the song has few long sustained notes and doesn’t use rapid melismatic ornamentation (kobushi), so for those familiar with enka, it should be relatively easy to sing.

NocturneYukino Ichikawa73rank/position

Yukino Ichikawa “Nocturne” Music Video

The song begins with a scale that steps up from A3, and if you can nail that very first note, I think you’ll be able to sing comfortably.

The piece overall has a structure where the pitch moves up and down, so try to sing by carefully capturing each note one by one.

There are a few long tones on the syllable “n,” which can easily cause tension, so try producing them lightly as if you’re humming.

At the end of the chorus there’s a section with many words, but if you’re careful to articulate each one, you should be able to keep your pitch steady.

Since it’s a relaxed 4/4, swaying your body as you sing may help your voice come out more naturally!

False Forget-me-notYukino Ichikawa74rank/position

Yukino Ichikawa “Miyakowasure” [Official MV Full Ver.]

Tokyo Wasure: a work that portrays the feelings of a woman who leaves Tokyo behind to start a new life with the one she loves.

Beginning with a dramatic intro, the song repeatedly features vocals delivered with a dramatic flair throughout.

While the expressive elements—such as breathing nuances—demand a high level of control, the technical aspects of enka, like kobushi ornamentation, are comparatively lenient.

Therefore, anyone with solid basic vocal skills and a grasp of kobushi technique should be able to perform it without difficulty.

Snow Love BlossomYukino Ichikawa75rank/position

Yukino Ichikawa / YUKIRENGE (Short ver.) [Promotional Video]

With a range from E3 to E5 (two octaves), this song may feel a bit low overall for women.

The A section starts on relatively low notes, so you’ll want to avoid engaging your throat right from the beginning.

If you sing as if gently placing your voice right in front of you, it’s easier to hit the low notes.

Also, since this song builds rapidly from the chorus, singing the first A and B sections softly, as if speaking gently, will help set the mood.

The chorus opens around G#4, which requires a bit more projection, so pay attention there.

Make sure to breathe well and add accents on the higher notes! In the latter half of the chorus, the melody drops lower, so be careful not to let your pitch sag.

A Doll's HouseMieko Hirota76rank/position

A Doll's House

A timeless classic representing the Showa era and one of Mieko Hirota’s signature songs.

Its poignant lyrics and beautiful melody strike a deep chord.

The lyrics, which depict the sorrow of a woman who lived for love by likening her to a doll covered in dust, are particularly memorable.

Released in October 1969, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts and was also included on an album of the same name.

It has been covered by many artists and even featured in popular anime such as Sazae-san.

Perfect for times when you want to soothe the pain of heartbreak or savor the nostalgic atmosphere of the Showa period.

Why not immerse yourself in the heartfelt lyrics along with Hirota’s vocals?

freezing rainMika Hino77rank/position

Mika Hino Cold Rain

This song is a quintessential example of enka, where a catchy melody and emotionally rich lyrics blend beautifully.

Released in December 1982, it remains beloved by many as one of Mika Hino’s signature numbers.

The lyrics, which intertwine the chill of winter rain with the pain of heartbreak, portray a universal theme that anyone can relate to.

Hino, renowned for her vocal prowess, conveys the aching heart of a forlorn love with remarkable expressiveness.

With its relaxed tempo and relatively modest melodic shifts, it’s a song that even beginners to enka will find approachable.

Why not sing it slowly, savoring the lyrics that resonate so deeply?