Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2025]

Yugiri PortKonomi Mori78rank/position

Konomi Mori “Yugiri Port” Music Video

Set in a fog-shrouded port town, a heart-wrenching love song has been born.

It’s a deeply crafted piece released by Konomi Mori in July 2024.

Drawing on the unique vocal power she honed through folk music, she vividly conveys both the misty harbor scenery and the protagonist’s emotions.

The song is said to be inspired by Kojohama in Shiraoi, Hokkaido: lyrics penned by Akino Madoka, moved by the sight of a landscape wrapped in fog, paired with a poignant melody composed by Chiaki Oka.

Mori shares behind-the-scenes stories on her blog, and the release has been creating buzz among fans.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play when you’re thinking of someone dear, or to listen to alone on a quiet night.

Midnight ShowerYin Shun Kei79rank/position

Yinshū Katsura — Midnight Shower

Kayō Ginsuku, known for her alluring husky voice, sings the sublime melody of “Midnight Shower,” a stylish piece that feels less like mood enka and more like watching a polished French esprit drama.

If you want to express the coquettish, cute charm of a woman in front of him, this song is perfect.

Drunk and reelingYin Shun Kei80rank/position

Drunk and Swaying — Eun-sook Kye (Kei Unsuk), by Ginsuke Katsura

It was released in 1989 as Ginshi Katsura’s fifth single.

It ranked within the top 100 on the Oricon Singles Chart for 31 weeks and won many awards, including the Gold Prize at the 31st Japan Record Awards and the Wired Music Award at the 22nd Japan Cable Radio Awards.

With this song, she performed at the 40th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it has become one of Ginshi Katsura’s signature songs.

wintering swallowMasako Mori81rank/position

Overwintering Swallow by Masako Mori

Masako Mori’s “Ettō Tsubame” is a classic enka masterpiece that poignantly sings of a woman’s bittersweet heart.

The composer of the song is Yoshihiko Shinohara.

The name might not conjure any particular image, but in fact, that is the real name of Hiroshi Madoka.

Surprisingly, this wonderful masterpiece, “Ettō Tsubame,” was written by Hiroshi Madoka.

Osaka Love DropletKaori Mizumori82rank/position

Kaori Mizumori “Osaka Koishizuku” MV Full Chorus (Release Date: March 18, 2025) [Official]

How about enjoying Kaori Mizumori’s song that marks her 30th debut anniversary? Released in March 2025, this “happy enka” is set in Osaka.

It beautifully tells the story of a woman who overcomes a painful past to find new happiness.

You may be pleasantly surprised by this new side of the queen who has traveled Japan in song across 45 prefectures.

Perform it at karaoke, and its bright melody is sure to delight everyone.

Be sure to add it to your new repertoire.

Osaka sparrowMiyuki Nagai83rank/position

Osaka Sparrow Miyuki Nagai × Miyuki Nagai

This debut song, written by lyricist Taka Takashi for his beloved protégé Miyuki Nagai from Osaka, was released in 1992.

It won the Excellent Broadcast Music Newcomer Award at the 23rd Japan Kayō Awards, and the Best New Artist Award in the Kayō/Enka category at the 34th Japan Record Awards.

Its performance, with lyrics declaring that Tokyo is nothing to boast about, resonated with people from Kansai and made it a hit.

Osaka sparrowMiyuki Nagai & Miyuki Nagai84rank/position

Osaka Sparrow - Miyuki Nagai & Miyuki Nagai

Miyuki Nagai’s classic “Osaka Suzume,” released in 1997, is one of her signature works and won the New Artist Award in the enka category at the 34th Japan Record Awards.

While faithfully inheriting traditional enka techniques, the song is arranged to be very easy to sing.

Notably, it features very few kobushi (melismatic ornamentations).

The number of notes is also quite limited, and the tempo is slow, making it a piece in which it’s easy to maintain precise pitch control.