Ataru Esaka was born on 31 May 1992 in Sanda, Hyogo. He attended Ryutsu Keizai University, where he won back-to-back top-scorer awards at national university level, before signing with Thespakusatsu Gunma in 2014 and then Omiya Ardija in 2016. After helping Omiya develop he joined Kashiwa Reysol in 2018 and lifted the J2 League title in 2019.
In summer 2021 Esaka moved to Urawa Red Diamonds, where his attacking creativity flowered. He scored at the AFC Champions League and provided an outstanding 6 assists in 8 group-stage matches, contributed to Urawa's 2021 Emperor's Cup and 2022 Super Cup wins, and built a reputation as a clever number 10 with eyes for the killer pass.
In January 2023 he made the bold step of moving to South Korea with Ulsan Hyundai. He was a major part of Ulsan's K League 1 dominance, lifting the title in 2023 and 2024 — back-to-back championships in one of Asia's strongest leagues. In January 2025 he returned to Japan with Fagiano Okayama, where he immediately became a creative anchor: 38 J1 League appearances, 6 goals and 5 assists in 2025.
A clever attacking midfielder with the vision and timing to play between the lines, Esaka is one of the most well-travelled Japanese number 10s of his generation. He earned his Japan A-team debut as a senior squad member in his thirties, a fitting reward for steady performances in three different Asian top divisions.