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Karaoke Ranking of Popular Songs by Itsuki Hiroshi [2025]

This is a karaoke popularity ranking for the truly remarkable musician Ikuzo Yoshi.

In addition to his illustrious achievements as an enka singer—winning the Gold Prize at the JASRAC Awards and the Grand Prix at the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards for “Sake yo”—he also holds the distinction of being the first person to perform Japanese rap on television with “Ora Tokyo sa Iguda.” As a songwriter and composer, he has provided songs to a stellar lineup including Sayuri Ishikawa, Kenji Sawada, Masao Sen, and Hiroshi Itsuki.

Karaoke Ranking of Popular Songs by Yoshi Ikuzo [2025] (11–20)

The South... spring and summerIkuzo Yoshi15rank/position

Ikuzo Yoshi “Nanbu… Spring and Summer” [Official] | Full Chorus MV
Nanbu... Spring and Summer Yoshikazu Ikuzō

Ikuzo Yoshi is well known for songs that praise his hometown, and among them, the one I especially recommend for its ease of singing is “Nanbu.

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Spring and Summer.” Its lyrics overflow with scenes of home and a deep nostalgia for them, and the melody is crafted with a warm tone to match.

With a very relaxed tempo, it features no fast, intricate kobushi (ornamental turns) or kobushi that span more than three scale steps, so even those who feel uneasy about enka should be able to sing it without trouble.

passionate flameIkuzo Yoshi16rank/position

Passionate Flames — Ikuzo Yoshi
Passionate Flame Yoshikizo

Ikuzo Yoshi is well regarded for his “onna-uta” (songs from a woman’s perspective), and among them, the track Joen is widely praised as a hidden masterpiece.

While its lyrics and melody exude a poignant melancholy, the vocal line is surprisingly straightforward, with gentle rises and falls in pitch.

There are few kobushi (ornamental turns), and the ones that do appear are often close to an extension of vibrato, so even those who feel uneasy about enka-style phrasing should be able to sing it without issue.

The song stays within a comfortable vocal range, making it easy to sing for both men and women.

Elegy of a Port TownIkuzo Yoshi17rank/position

Ikuzo Yoshi 'Minato-machi Banka' MV (Released January 27, 2021)
Enka of a Port Town by Yoshi Ikuzo

Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic “Minato-machi Banka” is marked by a melancholy, lingering melody.

It’s a women’s song depicting a woman in a port town, beautifully expressing her feelings as she dotes on her husband who’s returned from fishing after a long time away.

Despite its powerful melody, the piece surprisingly features few advanced kobushi (melismatic turns).

They do appear, but when they do, the kobushi only span one or two scale steps, so the difficulty level as enka is quite low.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.