Gakuto Notsuda was born on 6 June 1994 in Hiroshima Prefecture and joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima's youth ranks. He turned professional with Sanfrecce as a teenager and was part of the squads that lifted three J1 League titles in four years (2012, 2013, 2015) and three Super Cups. An attacking-leaning central midfielder with a clean left foot, he established himself as a senior contributor by his early 20s.
After spells on loan at Albirex Niigata, Shimizu S-Pulse, Vegalta Sendai, and Ventforet Kofu, Notsuda returned full-time to Sanfrecce in 2022 and helped the club lift the J.League Cup that same year. He continued as a regular in 2023, with 27 J1 appearances, before taking on an Asian challenge in summer 2024.
In June 2024 Notsuda made the unusual move of joining Thailand's BG Pathum United on a free transfer. He has since been a regular contributor in Thai League 1 and the AFC Champions League Two, scoring goals across the FA Cup and ASEAN Club Championship as well. The move has given him fresh continental exposure into his thirties.
A combative, tactically literate midfielder with leadership qualities, Notsuda was part of the Japan squad that won the 2022 EAFF E-1 Football Championship. He continues to be considered for Japan call-ups, particularly for matches with greater rotation, into the build-up to the 2026 World Cup.