Enka Karaoke Popularity Rankings [2025]

Purple Rain SentimentAyako Fuji36rank/position

Purple Rain Sentiment

Here is one of Ayako Fuji’s signature songs and a masterpiece in the history of Japanese enka: “Murasaki Ujō.” Released in 1993, it reached a peak of No.

8 on the Oricon charts and was also performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It has the feel of classic, heart-tugging enka: despite its bright chord progression, there’s a certain wistful atmosphere that evokes a distinctly Japanese sensibility.

True to enka style, the melody moves from a low register in the first half to a high-register chorus, then back down again, finally rising to a soaring high at the end—a quintessential structure.

Fuji delivers a careful, unforced performance, employing the fundamental techniques of enka.

It’s perfect as an introduction to the genre, and if you want to practice ornaments like kobushi and hikkake, definitely give this song a try!

abandonedYoko Nagayama37rank/position

Yoko Nagayama “Suterarete” Music Video

One of Yoko Nagayama’s signature songs and an absolute karaoke favorite! Released in 1995, “Suterarete” cemented her status as an enka singer after she transitioned from idol singer to enka in 1993.

Her “demo ne” pose also became a hot topic at the time.

While it’s an enka number, it carries a slightly kayōkyoku-like flavor.

Although techniques like subtle kobushi (grace notes) and vibrato appear throughout, the overall difficulty isn’t that high, and there are no extreme high notes, making it relatively easy to sing.

It’s a great choice even for beginners singing Nagayama’s songs for the first time!

A Man’s HarborIchiro Toba38rank/position

Ichiro Toba "Man’s Harbor" (Official Audio)

With a fisherman father and an ama diver mother, Ichiro Toba is truly an enka singer worthy of being called a “man of the sea.” Released in 1986, this song became a popular hit and was even performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Characterized by lyrics themed around the sea and fishermen’s lives and a powerful melody, it showcases Toba’s vocal prowess to the fullest.

The overall pitch is on the lower side, but it’s challenging to deliver the lyrics clearly while employing vibrato.

It takes considerable technique to sing the low-register melody with stability.

If you’re not confident with vibrato, you might focus on delivering the lyrics clearly with crisp articulation.

It’s a recommended track for those who want to let their thoughts drift to the world of the sea and its fishermen.

Blue Light YokohamaAyumi Ishida39rank/position

Blue Light Yokohama

From the late 1960s to the 1970s, Ayumi Ishida was a singer who enjoyed nationwide popularity.

She has many classic hits, but the one I especially recommend is Blue Light Yokohama.

It’s a kayōkyoku-style song with strong blues elements, characterized by a narrow vocal range throughout.

Since it doesn’t feature the kobushi ornamentation that often poses a challenge in enka, if you keep your pitch steady and add vibrato at the end of the long notes to rack up points, it’s a song that anyone can aim for a high score with.

applauseNaomi Chiaki40rank/position

Naomi Chiaki / Applause [Official Audio]

Kassai is a classic song that represents the Showa era.

It’s one of Naomi Chiaki’s signature numbers, known for its poignant lyrics about a woman who lost her lover in the war.

Rather than enka, this piece leans strongly toward kayōkyoku, and it contains very little of the intricate kobushi ornamentation typical of enka.

There is a slightly stronger kobushi at the end of the chorus, but that’s about the only real challenge, making it a relatively easy piece.

Among the songs introduced here, this one is especially simple, so why not add it to your repertoire?

Drunken GlowKim Yonja41rank/position

Yong-ja Kim “Drunken Lights” Music Video

Youngja Kim is a Korean-born enka singer beloved by enka fans.

Rather than a trot singer, her appeal lies in her authentic enka vocals, and she has produced a string of classics thanks to her exceptional expressiveness and steady singing technique.

Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Yoiakari.

It’s solidly enka, but features relatively few kobushi (melismatic ornaments).

The range is somewhat wide, so try singing it while paying attention to key adjustment.

marine snowJero42rank/position

Jero – Sea Snow (Music Video)

This is a landmark song by Jero, who made a sensational debut in 2008.

With lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto and music by Ryudo Uzaki, it not only became a huge hit but also set various records as an enka song, making it a masterpiece that will go down in Japanese music history.

Beyond the difficulty of a melody that spans a wide vocal range, the song itself is highly intricate—blending enka elements with straightforward, J-pop-style developments and funky rhythms—yet Jero delivers a flawless performance that really underscores the power of his vocals.

The track has been popular at karaoke since its release, but to be honest, it’s a very challenging song to sing there.

Listen to the original repeatedly and practice until the rhythm and melody are ingrained in your body!