Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2025]

Naniwa SpiritFuyumi Sakamoto8rank/position

Fuyumi Sakamoto “Naniwa Spirit” Short Ver.

It’s a powerful song that makes you want to call it the spirit of Osaka.

It’s Fuyumi Sakamoto’s first cheer song themed around Osaka, released in March 2025.

Selected as a recommended track by TBS Radio, the piece also drew attention for reuniting her with composer Chiaki Oka after roughly nine years.

The lyrics’ worldview—emphasizing the importance of moving forward without succumbing to adversity and portraying people who grow through perseverance—really hits home.

Sing it at karaoke, and you’re sure to lift your listeners’ spirits.

Dotonbori SentimentYoshimi Tendo9rank/position

[MV] Yoshimi Tendo / Dotonbori (Tonbori) Ninjō (Full Ver.)

Yoshimi Tendo is an enka singer highly acclaimed for her live performances.

With first-class qualities across the board—vocal power, expressiveness, and fine techniques such as kobushi—she also has songs that are relatively easy to sing.

Among them, the one I especially recommend is Dotonbori Ninjo.

It’s a robust enka number with the flavor of Kawachi Ondo, but most of the kobushi are the type that undulate at the start of each phrase, so it’s not particularly difficult.

Of course, if you aim to replicate every detail, the difficulty is high; however, since most of the Kawachi Ondo-style kobushi occur in the lower register, anyone who can control pitch in the low range should be able to sing it without issue.

By the way, the reading of the title is not “Dotonbori Ninjo,” but “Tonbori Ninjo.”

America BridgeYutaka Yamakawa10rank/position

America Bashi

This is a 1998 song by Yutaka Yamakawa, the younger of the star brothers from Toba City in Mie Prefecture.

His older brother is Ichiro Toba.

It’s amazing that both brothers have hit songs, isn’t it? “America Bridge” is another name for Ebisu Minami Bridge, located between Ebisu and Meguro Stations on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line.

Tokyo has its own local songs, too.

To aim for a high score with this song, make sure you can feel the 6/8 time.

If you get left behind by this rhythm, scoring high won’t even be the issue.

Once you’ve got the 6/8 down, pay attention to matching the words with the melody.

Then—like magic—you’ll find it’s surprisingly easy to sing, and it becomes more and more enjoyable.

Savor the chorus’s melody and lyrics that are unique to 6/8 time, and sing with pleasure.

The high score will naturally follow.

Life is full of ups and downs.Chiyoko Shimakura11rank/position

Life is full of ups and downs.

A song that captivates the heart with lyrics that candidly portray life’s joys and sorrows, paired with Chiyoko Shimakura’s rich, velvety voice.

Released in 1987, the track was performed on the following year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, propelling her into the spotlight.

The melody blends pop and enka into a distinctive style that is both approachable and profound.

While the chorus climbs a bit in pitch, the overall range is narrow, making it accessible even for beginners.

The lyrics resonate especially with those who have a wealth of life experience, yet they carry a universal message that will speak to younger listeners as well.

The first person I fell in love withHiroshi Takeshima12rank/position

[MV] Hiroshi Takeshima / The First Person I Ever Loved (full ver.)

Following the so-called “Trilogy of Being Led to Dance” — Koimachi Counter, Uwasa no Futari, and Yume no Furiko — Hatsumete Suki ni Natta Hito, released in 2020, is a beautiful, gently paced medium ballad that showcases Hiroshi Takeshima’s signature sweet and heartrending vocals to the fullest.

With its melody built almost entirely in the mid range and pitched quite low overall, it may feel refreshing to listeners accustomed to contemporary J-pop where high notes tend to take center stage.

Takeshima himself said at the time of the song’s release that he was “returning to basics and competing with just the singing,” so please take the time to fully grasp the world depicted in the lyrics by Goro Matsui — which earned the Special Jury Prize at the 53rd Japan Lyrics Awards — and sing it with all your heart!

A Man’s Pure HeartYuto Tatsumi13rank/position

Yuto Tatsumi “A Man’s Pure Heart” Music Video

Released in 2019, “Otoko no Junjo” was the second single by Yuto Tatsumi, who at the time was active as an enka singer while still a university student.

It topped the enka charts and reached No.

10 on the Oricon overall chart, helping cement the image of a new star for the Reiwa era in the enka world.

It’s classic enka that powerfully sings of supporting the somewhat awkward way a man lives, but its light, refreshing melody—reflecting Tatsumi’s personality—is easy to remember.

The vocal range isn’t very wide either, making it very easy to sing for an enka song.

I’d love for beginners to give it a try!

Fleeting LoveKaori Kouzai14rank/position

Hagureso

Characterized by lyrics that depict a heartrending love and a melody steeped in melancholy, this work is known as one of Kaori Kozai’s signature songs.

Released in March 1991, it reached a peak position of No.

14 on the Oricon charts.

It was performed at the 42nd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen the same year, boosting Kozai’s nationwide recognition.

With a tune that’s approachable even for newcomers to enka, it has remained a long-standing favorite at karaoke.

The lyrics, which convey the transience and ruthlessness of love, are sure to resonate with many.

It’s a song that offers solace to those who have experienced heartbreak or loneliness—why not give it a try?