Junichi Nakanowatari

Junichi Nakanowatari is a Japanese poker professional who has built a steady presence in international tournaments, particularly in high-roller events. While his early poker beginnings are not widely documented, his consistent results since 2019 demonstrate a solid competitive level.

Nakanowatari has 21 cashes in World Series of Poker events, all without a bracelet or ring. His best WSOP result came in the 2021 WSOP Winter Circuit Online Event #18: $1,700 Main Event, where he finished 13th out of 1,112 entries for $43,144. He also cashed in the 2022 WSOP Event #65: $3,000 Freezeout (168th for $5,269) and Event #43: $500 Freezeout (256th for $1,395). In 2020, he placed 526th in the $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event Online ($13,159).

Nakanowatari has participated in several high-stakes tournaments, often sharing the felt with top pros. At the 2019 WSOP Event #83: $100,000 High Roller, he was eliminated by Elio Fox, finishing shy of the money. In the 2019 Aussie Millions AUD 100,000 Challenge, he ended Day 1A with 632,000 chips (6th among survivors) but did not final-table. At the 2019 APPT Manila ₱500,000 Super High Roller, he was eliminated in 11th place, shoving with 5♠5♥ against Lifeng Yang's A♣Q♣ and losing.

Nakanowatari also recorded a cash in the WSOP Online 2021 Event #70: CRAZY EIGHTS No-Limit Hold'em (648th for $1,425) and the WSOP Online 2020 Event #77: $5,000 Main Event ($13,159). His total live and online earnings exceed $137,000 per WSOP.com stats.

Although detailed hand histories are scarce, Nakanowatari’s willingness to enter high buy-in events suggests an aggressive, risk-tolerant approach. He remains one of the few Japanese players consistently competing in elite international fields, contributing to the growing presence of Japanese poker talent on the global stage.