Hiroshi Itsuki Taps Into Nostalgia with a Stirring New ‘Izakaya’ Ballad. Why His Duet with Mitsuru Nakamura and Classics Like ‘Yokohama Tasogare’ and ‘Chigiri’ Resonate Now

Picture this: late night in Shimbashi, you duck past a noren curtain and spot a solitary figure at the counter, nursing a glass. That scene comes to mind because, for many of us, Hiroshi Itsuki’s voice *is* the embodiment of grown-up melancholy. When I heard his latest release the other day, I couldn’t resist checking it out. Even if you’re not a die-hard enka or kayokyoku fan, this is one album you don’t want to miss.

This time around, it’s a duet featuring the one and only legend, Hiroshi Itsuki, alongside enka powerhouse Mitsuru Nakamura, with their new track “Izakaya”. The moment you see that title, it’s impossible not to feel a twinge of excitement if you’re a fan. With that classic “Yokohama Tasogare”, Itsuki painted a beautiful yet bittersweet twilight scene in Yokohama’s port town. If that song was about a city and a farewell, then “Izakaya” digs deeper into a more intimate, heated space—right into the heart of human emotion.

Listening to this new song, what strikes you first is the atmosphere. The instrumental track is stripped back to the essentials, letting the rich interplay of their voices take centre stage. It feels like you’re eavesdropping on two slightly tipsy individuals in a quiet corner of a bar, reminiscing about the past. Mitsuru Nakamura’s powerful, soulful voice and Hiroshi Itsuki’s seasoned, heartfelt vocal style blend together in perfect harmony.

Naturally, this brings to mind another landmark in his career: “Chigiri”. With its iconic line, “If only we hadn’t met that day,” the song speaks to a questioning of fate and an acceptance of an unbreakable bond. Decades on, what “Izakaya” seems to explore is what comes after that intense ‘Chigiri’—a quieter, yet deeply profound connection, tinged with a sense of acceptance.

That’s precisely why this new track transcends the typical duet. It feels like a culmination of Itsuki’s artistic journey. He rose to fame in the 70s with “Yokohama Tasogare”, established the aesthetic of a mature man in the 80s with “Chigiri”, and now, in Reiwa, he’s reached a new pinnacle with the perfect partner, Mitsuru Nakamura. It’s no exaggeration to say this might just be the ultimate expression of ‘human emotion’—the very heart of enka.

Looking at today’s music scene, with streaming services dominating and a strong revival of City Pop and kayokyoku among the younger crowd, this “Izakaya” from a giant like Itsuki feels like both a tribute to his classic works such as Yokohama Tasogare and Chigiri, and a hint that a new standard is being born.

Let’s break down what makes this song so captivating:

• A Lyrical World Steeped in Showa-era Mood – Elements like “whisky,” “glass,” and “rain” in the lyrics build a cinematic sense of emotion.
• The Ultimate Tag Team: Itsuki & Nakamura – The ‘chemistry’ of these two artists, each with a monumental solo career, bringing out the best in each other is this song’s biggest highlight.
• A Lingering Echo That Invites ‘What Happens Next’ – Could the protagonist from “Yokohama Tasogare” be the one in this izakaya, years later? The depth here sparks such wonderful imagination.

Ultimately, timeless songs are the ones that quietly fill the spaces in our hearts. Whether it’s a drink after work, a night of reminiscing, or a quiet toast with someone special—this “Izakaya” fits the bill perfectly. From Showa to Reiwa, even as times change, the stories of men and women that Hiroshi Itsuki sings will surely continue to be a comforting light for us all.

If you haven’t heard it yet, I highly recommend putting on your earphones on a quiet night and immersing yourself in the dramatic world woven by Hiroshi Itsuki and Mitsuru Nakamura. I’m sure you’ll discover your very own “Izakaya”.