Ami Nakai’s Journey: From Niigata to Chiba, and the Family Support That Shaped a Rising Figure Skating Star

A rising star in women’s figure skating, Ami Nakai continues to impress with her rapid growth and technical development.

More and more people are searching for “Ami Nakai family home.” Beyond her refined performances and triple axel attempts, many fans are curious about what kind of environment she grew up in and what support system shaped her into the skater she is today.

In this article, we summarize the following based on publicly available information:

  • Her birthplace (Niigata Prefecture) and current base (Chiba)
  • Why she relocated from Niigata to Chiba
  • Childhood episodes shared by Nakai herself
  • Her school life and reputation as a hard worker

Let’s take a closer look.

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Ami Nakai’s Family Home Is in Niigata — Why She Moved to Ichikawa, Chiba

Ami Nakai
Source: Daily Sports

Ami Nakai was born on April 27, 2008, and her birthplace is Niigata Prefecture.

Representing TOKIO Inkarami, she has competed in major events and made her presence known internationally since her junior years, including winning medals at the World Junior Championships.

According to the official website of Ichikawa City in Chiba Prefecture, she graduated from Minami Gyotoku Junior High School in Ichikawa.

This combination — “born in Niigata” and “attended junior high in Ichikawa” — is likely why many people search online wondering whether her family home is in Niigata or Chiba.

Based on confirmed public information, it is certain that she was born in Niigata Prefecture.

However, detailed information about her exact home address or family residence has not been disclosed, and such private matters should be respected.

Nakai moved her training base from Niigata to Chiba when she entered junior high school.

According to interviews published by THE ANSWER, she made the decision to leave her hometown in search of a stronger coaching and training environment.

This was not simply a natural move because she was talented. Rather, interviews reveal that it was the result of ambition and a realistic understanding of her challenges.

In figure skating, being surrounded by strong competitors and high-level coaching is essential for improvement.

Even after building solid results in Niigata, Nakai felt that staying in the same environment would not be enough. She chose to relocate to Chiba in pursuit of a higher competitive standard.

Ami Nakai’s Competitive Spirit Since Childhood — Serious Even in Family Games

Ami Nakai childhood
Source: Niigata Nippo

One memorable trait Nakai has spoken about from her childhood is her intense competitiveness.

In an interview with Nikkan Sports Premium, she recalled how she would play cards or karuta with her family during New Year’s holidays — and cry if she lost because she hated losing.

What stands out is that her desire to win was not limited to skating competitions. Even during casual family games, her strong emotions and determination were already evident.

The same article also mentions how she insisted on running the anchor leg in school relay races, and how her father repeatedly practiced running form with her at the park.

“My father, who ran his own business and enjoyed sports as a hobby, was both a supportive parent and a coach. He taught me proper running form, and I remember practicing over and over again at the park.”

“I ran again and again. I was drenched in sweat, but I didn’t want to lose. I absolutely wanted to finish first.”

The place where that passion shined the brightest was not on the track — but on the ice.

This shows that the foundation of Nakai’s competitive spirit was built not only on the rink, but also through repeated practice in everyday life with her family.

She reportedly began skating around 2013, when a new ice rink opened in Niigata City.

Rather than being “a naturally gifted child who happened to appear,” it seems that the combination of a new skating environment and her strong ambition led her into the sport.

Unlike sports such as baseball or soccer, figure skating cannot be started casually in a neighborhood park. Access to a rink dramatically affects participation opportunities.

For Nakai, the opening of a new rink in Niigata was likely a major turning point in her life.

The Determination Behind Moving from Niigata to Chiba in Junior High School

Ami Nakai competition
Source: Nikkan Sports

While training in Niigata, Nakai achieved strong results early in the novice category.

According to THE ANSWER, she competed in the All Japan Novice Championships in third grade, won the following year, attempted a triple axel in fifth grade, and reached the podium in sixth grade.

Yet despite these achievements, she felt “this won’t be enough.”

During a period when her results plateaued, she realized that not only jump consistency but also skating skills were areas that needed improvement. She increasingly wanted to train alongside stronger skaters.

Entering junior high school already brings major life changes. On top of that, relocating to a new prefecture and training among stronger competitors meant added pressure — especially if results did not immediately follow.

This decision clearly reflects ambition combined with realistic self-assessment.

Official information from Ichikawa City also describes her junior high school days.

One particularly striking episode notes that she would complete homework during breaks to the point that her homeroom teacher worried and suggested she take a rest.

Being a strong athlete is not simply about practicing hard. The intensity with which she approached both academics and skating formed the foundation of her competitive strength.

Conclusion

Ami Nakai was born in Niigata Prefecture and relocated to Ichikawa City, Chiba, when she entered junior high school.

Behind this move was a strong desire to train in a higher-level environment.

From a young age, she hated losing — even in family games — and trained seriously with her father in the park.

The opening of a new rink in Niigata became the catalyst for her skating journey.

During junior high school, she was known as such a diligent student that teachers worried she was pushing herself too hard.

The courage to leave her hometown and the steady accumulation of daily effort are what have shaped the Ami Nakai we see today.

We look forward to watching her continued success in the years ahead.

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