Nakata was born in Hokkaido in 1982. In 2017, she graduated from the Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute. In 2021, she completed her training at the Kanazawa Utatsuyama Craft Workshop. Her major exhibitions include the solo exhibition “The Skies Above – The Lacquer of Mayu Nakata” in 2024 (A Lighthouse called Kanata), “New Japanese Lacquer Art From HOKURIKU” in 2023 (MUSEUM OF LACQUER ART MUNSTER), and the Collection Exhibition “Utsuwa” in 2023 (21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa). Her main awards include the 60th Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition Meitetsu EMZA President’s Award, a finalist for the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2019, and the Special Jury Prize from the 4th Triennale of KOGEI in Kanazawa: Transcending Boundaries – Ohi Toyasai Award. Her works are held in collection at institutions such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Kanazawa Utatsuyama Craft Workshop, Kagawa Prefectural Museum, and Kagawa Urushi Lacquerware Institute.