Our Members

With over 40 years of birding experience across more than 25 countries, Koji is a registered tour operator and the founder of Yamadori Factory. Trusted by leading international agencies like Rockjumper Birding Tours, as well as discerning private clients from the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia, he offers an unparalleled guiding experience rooted in deep expertise and fluent English. He has also contributed extensively to major field guides, cementing his reputation in the international birding community.

 

His passion began at age 14, leading him to self-fund frequent expeditions to Hokkaido during his university years. He went on to study wildlife management in Australia and dedicated 25 years to nature conservation and sustainable development within government and NGO sectors. This background, combined with a personal life-list of over 2,800 species worldwide, gives him a profound understanding of ecological systems and avian behavior.

 

Specializing in Japan's endemic, rare, and migratory species, Koji designs bespoke tours that transform birdwatching into a meaningful journey. His ultimate mission is to use birding as a catalyst to harmonize nature conservation with local economic development, ensuring that every tour contributes to protecting the habitats he shares.

He studied biology at university, where he developed a strong interest in nature, wildlife, and the environment. After graduation, he began working in a variety of nature-related fields and has continued to build his experience through both field activities and public communication.

His work includes supporting nature and wildlife observation programs, giving lectures and presentations, and writing articles about wildlife and the natural world. Through these activities, he aims to help people learn more about nature and enjoy observing wildlife in the field.

He is mainly active in Asia and has traveled to many parts of the region for fieldwork and wildlife observation. His activities take him to a wide range of natural environments, from forests and mountains to wetlands and other important wildlife habitats.

With his background in biology and years of field experience, he continues to work on projects related to nature, wildlife, and environmental education, while also sharing his knowledge and experiences through lectures, writing, and other activities.