Nakamura was born in Kodaira, Tokyo and began playing football in the first grade, joining the Fuchu Boys' Soccer Club in nearby Fuchu. Nakamura played in many tournaments during his youth career, including the 1989 All Japan Youth Soccer Tournament, where Fuchu reached the round of 16, and the 8th Tokyo Boys' Selection Soccer Tournament, where he was named as one of the ten best players. He continued to play into his teens, and, after graduating from Kurume High School, he enrolled in Chuo University, studying English and American literature whilst also playing for the university football team. In his third year, he became a regular fixture in the squad, despite the team performing poorly, finishing last in the Kanto University League 1st Division and suffering relegation to the 2nd Division. The following year, Nakamura was named club captain and led Chuō to win the 2nd Division, earning promotion back to the top league at the first time of asking. Nakamura graduated from Chuō in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
