Walter
Nishinaka

Walter Nishinaka is a taiko player with over 25 years of experience. Walter has been a part of Chikara Daiko, a community group based in Little Tokyo, since its inception in 1996. Walter also spent some time in Japan, where he played with a group based in Asakusa, Tokyo. After returning to Los Angeles, he began working on solo and collaborative performances with various artists and groups including Taiko Center of Los Angeles, East LA Taiko, The Grateful Crane Ensemble, Japanese American Steam Punk band Lolita Dark, Japanese calligraphy artist Kuniharu Yoshida, and Kabuki Actor Nakamura Gankyo.

Outside of taiko, Walter was also the drum director for the 3252, the independent supporters union for the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) 2019 to 2022. Walter is also a 3rd degree black belt and trains at the Matsubayashi Ryu Karate Dojo of Little Tokyo. 

In October 2021 Walter started a community taiko group with Maceo Hernandez called the J-Town Taiko Club out of the Terasaki Budokan.

In 2023, Walter and a small group of local taiko Players formed the Los Angeles Taiko Collective, a small performing ensemble that's goal is to perform but also connect with other freelance taiko players to perform and jam.

He's also currently in the process of developing a taiko program at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center. 

Walter is also the founder and host of the Little Tokyo Talks Podcast, where he discusses Japanese American Lifestyle and culture  in Los Angeles.