Eriko Bando

Eriko Bando is a nationally licensed English-speaking tour-guide living in the Tokyo metropolitan area. She is a native of Hakodate, Hokkaido and has been bird-watching in Japan since 1983.

In 1983, when she was taking a break having lunch in front of a mountain hut while viewing Mt. Fuji covered with snow, a small flock of forest birds flew straight to her side. They landed on her backpack and shoulders and began pecking her lunch before flying away. As soon as she descended the mountain, she became a member of the Wild Bird Society of Japan and has been enjoying bird-watching ever since that event nearly 33 years ago.

Eriko worked at BirdLife International, Asia Division, before commencing work as a certified English speaking tour guide. Since 2010, she has completed nearly five hundred days guiding, ranging from one-day to two week trips, covering popular destinations such as Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, and Kyoto, and many more destinations throughout Japan.

She has been involved in birdwatching tours since 2010, including birdwatching walks in the Tokyo area, and a special birding walk along the Sanbanse tidal flat in Tokyo Bay for The Japan Times newspaper's 40,000th issue celebration project. She has led individuals and groups of birdwatchers in the Tokyo metropolitan area, in Nagano Prefecture, Kyushu and Hokkaido.

Eriko currently lives in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, suitably placed to guide individuals visiting Tokyo on business, or who wish to travel further afield in Japan in search of birds.

Last updated: 20160708