About Bushido Wildlife
A Personal Journey Into Nature and Conservation
Bushido Wildlife grew from a lifelong love of wild places and a belief that travel can do more than simply take you somewhere — it can protect what matters.
I’m Richard Pearce, a licensed Japanese Giant Salamander researcher, conservationist, and expert nature guide based in the foothills of Mount Daisen in Tottori, Japan. For more than a decade, I’ve been leading nature-based tours across Asia, combining my background in conservation with a passion for connecting people to wildlife and culture in a meaningful way.
Why I Started Bushido Wildlife
Living and working alongside Japan’s “living fossil,” the Japanese Giant Salamander, changed my life. Guiding visitors to quietly encounter these extraordinary animals made me realise how powerful travel can be in driving conservation and shifting perspectives. I wanted to create tours that gave people that same sense of wonder, while directly supporting the species and habitats we depend on.
A Global Path
Before settling in Japan, I spent time researching forests in Tanzania and Madagascar, studying biodiversity and conservation challenges in some of the world’s most unique ecosystems. I also qualified as a safari guide in South Africa, where I learned the importance of guiding as both education and conservation advocacy. These experiences shaped my belief that ecotourism, done responsibly, can be a force for real environmental protection.
A Philosophy Rooted in Respect
I chose the name “Bushido” — the way of the warrior — because it reflects the principles I try to follow in my work: respect, responsibility, and a deep sense of duty to protect what is sacred. My practice of Shugendō, Japan’s ancient mountain ascetic tradition, has also shaped the way I guide: moving gently through landscapes, honouring the connection between nature and culture, and always putting the welfare of wildlife first.
What I Do
Lead Japanese Giant Salamander conservation tours, where travellers join real field research and habitat protection efforts.
Guide Japanese Wildlife Tours that combine rare species encounters with cultural heritage and regional food.
Create custom Japan itineraries focused on sustainable, conservation-led travel with trusted local partners.
Lead Bhutan wildlife tours, exploring valleys and monasteries in search of red pandas, takin, and Himalayan birdlife.
Conservation Comes First
Every tour I run directly contributes to conservation — whether funding salamander habitat restoration through Sustainable Daisen or supporting Bhutanese communities who protect their forests. I work only with vetted local partners who share the same philosophy: that ecotourism must put wildlife and ecosystems before profit.
Join Me
When you travel with Bushido Wildlife, you’re not just joining a tour. You’re becoming part of a conservation story and connecting deeply with the landscapes, wildlife, and people that make Japan and Bhutan so unique.