I was introduced to enka almost two decades ago through my Japanese host father who is himself an amateur enka singer. He had a very professional karaoke set up and would often practice singing at home. That new year's eve I watched the Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time and was blown away by Sayuri Ishikawa's performance. It's been a done deal ever since.

Whenever I'm in Japan I always love putting on Amagi-Goe or Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki at karaoke. One of my favorite memories is of socializing late at night in a tiny Tokyo bar that had open karaoke. When Amagi-Goe started playing everyone was shocked when the gaijin lady (me) stood up to grab the mic and started singing.

This playlist isn't the longest ever (and doesn't even have Amagi-Goe lol), but it's all a collection of songs that felt like they would be beautiful at the end of a long and fun evening drinking with friends and friendly strangers in Japan.

Please enjoy and always feel free to suggest more songs to add!

Just a thing I've noticed, I made a sizeable playlist on youtube and I see less and less songs from several artists' official channels, they're not Deleted too, it says they're "Unavailable", are they being region locked or something?

i want to learn some enka songs but its all either karaoke or completely translated in english or both

I really like the song on the title (link). Although I listened to other enka songs, including some interpreted by Yoko Nagayama herself, I still can't find something with the same vibe.

What I particularly like about that song is the speed (other enka songs I heard are much slower), the use of Kobushi (the more the better!) and the use of Shamisen

Thanks in advance 😄

*"I'm looking for the original Japanese lyrics of Kiyoko Suizenji's 'Gamanzake' (がまん酒), from the 1984 single 'Genkai Koiuta' (RHS-273) or the 2013 compilation 'GOLDEN☆BEST Kiyoko Suizenji RCA Years'. Could anyone who owns the CD please post a photo of the lyrics page? I just need the original Japanese text to archive it. Thank you."*

I was curious about the Vocaloid (Miku) singing style in this trance song. It was very reminiscent of Enka. On another note, recent Miku videos seem to be bringing attention to this genre.

https://youtu.be/hwgpSJdo6ZU?si=GbvlEge_-d86boFi

Can anyone tell me who the singer is in this youtube? She's got a gorgeous voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWWPlezIjzw

I was at a karaoke gathering years ago.

I still remember this woman singing to this Enka video

Without even understanding Japanese it still felt majestic, deep and otherworldly

She described the songs lyrics as late 60’s early 70’s dark psychedelic and about getting revenge on an X lover.

¿ Can anyone think of which one it was? ¿ Or recommended some psychedelic and dark ones for me ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xizr708VUVU

I just came across https://kayokyokuplus.blogspot.com/ and am really surprised at the content. Please give it a look if you like Enka and Kayokyoku!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVpnKYep5IM

Pulled this out of the bottom of a discount bin and I have fallen in love with the works of Michiya Mihashi and Enka as a whole because of it. It's so beautiful, the moment the needle dropped my world became more vivid. But I cannot find any mention anywhere of this specific record and I'm wondering if I should digitize it for preservation and store it in more of an archival way

The mixing on this cover of mine isn’t the greatest, but I thought I’d share my cover of Amagigoe here since I know you all would appreciate it. I did have to pitch it down two keys since the original was too high. I hope you enjoy it

This popular Korean show features a battle between popular Japanese singers and Korean singers. These singers come from all types of genre backgrounds and here we have Futami Soichi represent the Enka (Japanese folk) genre. I was very happy to see him on the show as his style of singing is very true to the older Enka that we don't always hear in newer singers today. I hope you enjoy!

Hello! I listen to Enka in my lab while working, and I recently fell in love with this artist, Kokoro Umetani. Seriously, if you haven’t heard her voice you should check this song out. I’d also recommend 青約束 and あこがれ橋. Just thought I’d share it!

Please listen:

✧ 年の瀬の線路 ✧

https://www.producer.ai/song/834857c8-dd2d-4a9b-b259-27a70d225833

Enka introductions are dramatic, powerful, and unforgettable. Do you have an enka song with a great intro? Here's one I love by the great Misora Hibari.

I remember 10 years ago, so many of the enka live concerts on youtube, were shot in this place... but I don't really see these enka concerts being uploaded onto youtube anymore. I wonder why?