Arata Wataya was a transfer student from Fukui that went to Chihaya's elementary school. The grandchild of a master karuta player, Arata inspires Chihaya to take up karuta by telling her that he thinks she has a talent for it. He had difficulty fitting in at Chihaya's elementary school because of his Fukui dialect and his family's poverty. His passion for karuta is inspired by his grandfather, a Meijin (master). After their first game at Arata's house, Chihaya befriends him. His dream is to become a karuta Meijin. 

After graduating elementary school, he returned to Fukui to care for his sick grandfather. He stops playing karuta because his grandfather died while Arata was competing in a karuta tournament to rise to A-rank. However, after Chihaya and Taichi visit him in Fukui, he regains his resolve to play competitive karuta again.

Favourite Song: Poem #76

Over the wide sea

As I sail and look around,

It appears to me

That the white waves, far away,

Are the ever shining sky.