About Bushido Wildlife

A Personal Journey Into Nature and Conservation

Bushido Wildlife grew from a lifelong fascination with wildlife, a love of wild places and a belief that travel can play an important role in protecting the natural world.

I'm Richard Pearce, a wildlife researcher, conservationist, author and nature guide based at the foot of Mount Daisen in Tottori, Japan. I've lived in Japan for around 18 years and have spent much of that time exploring its wildlife, landscapes and cultural traditions.

I'm the lead author of Reptiles and Amphibians of Japan (Chimaira, 2026), a comprehensive guide to the country's reptiles and amphibians. I'm also a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Ecotourism and Species Conservation Specialist Group.

Through Bushido Wildlife, I lead small-group and private wildlife tours in Japan and other parts of Asia, drawing on my experience in conservation, field research and guiding to offer something beyond conventional sightseeing.

My Journey

My interest in wildlife and conservation has taken me around the world. I studied Environmental Management at university in the UK and subsequently undertook research in Tanzania and Madagascar.

In 2009, I qualified as Safari Guide in South Africa, an experience that helped shape my approach to wildlife guiding. For me, a good guide does more than find animals. They help people understand what they're seeing, the relationships between species and their habitats, and the challenges facing their survival.

Japan eventually became my home, and the Japanese Giant Salamander became the focus of much of my conservation work.

Japanese Giant Salamanders and Sustainable Daisen

I founded Sustainable Daisen, a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting the wildlife and natural environment of the Mount Daisen region, with a particular focus on the Japanese Giant Salamander.

Our work combines field research, habitat restoration, community involvement and practical conservation. We study salamander populations, investigate threats to their survival and work to improve the rivers and surrounding habitats on which they depend.

One of our current initiatives, Project B.I.G. (Bypass Installation Gift), aims to reconnect fragmented river habitats by creating routes around artificial barriers that prevent salamanders from moving freely.

Sustainable Daisen is also a partner of the Global Rewilding Alliance, connecting our local conservation efforts with a wider international movement to restore nature.

This work is central to my life in Japan and has given me a much deeper understanding of the challenges facing wildlife, even in landscapes that appear relatively untouched.

Wildlife Guiding Beyond Japan

Although Japan remains at the heart of Bushido Wildlife, my work has taken me across Asia, including Bhutan, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Today, Bushido Wildlife offers specialist wildlife journeys in Japan, Bhutan and China, alongside private itineraries developed around particular species, habitats and interests.

Whether searching for Japanese Giant Salamanders in mountain streams, exploring the subtropical forests of Bhutan or looking for Snow Leopards on the Tibetan Plateau, the aim is the same: to spend meaningful time in remarkable natural environments, guided by people who know and care about them.

I keep groups small, allowing greater flexibility, better opportunities for wildlife observation and less disturbance to the animals we encounter.

A Philosophy Rooted in Respect

The name Bushido comes from the Japanese concept of the "way of the warrior", traditionally associated with principles such as honour, responsibility and respect.

My practice of Shugendō, Japan's ancient mountain ascetic tradition, has also influenced the way I see the natural world. As an honorary monk at Mount Mitoku, I've developed a deep appreciation for the relationship between Japan's landscapes, wildlife, history and spiritual traditions.

These influences shape my approach to guiding. Wildlife should always come first, and encountering an animal in its natural habitat is a privilege rather than something to be demanded or guaranteed.

What Bushido Wildlife Offers

  • Japanese Giant Salamander Tours: Specialist wildlife viewing and conservation experiences in the Mount Daisen region, including opportunities to learn about and support ongoing research and habitat protection.

  • Japan Wildlife Tours: Small-group journeys exploring Japan's remarkable biodiversity, from mountain forests and rivers to remote islands and subtropical habitats.

  • Bhutan Wildlife Tours: Wildlife-focused journeys through Himalayan forests, mountain valleys and subtropical national parks, combined with Bhutan's extraordinary cultural heritage.

  • China Wildlife Expeditions: Specialist tours exploring China's diverse wildlife habitats, including the mountains of Qinghai in search of Snow Leopards.

  • Private and Custom Tours: Tailor-made wildlife and nature experiences developed around individual interests, working with trusted local guides and partners.

Conservation Comes First

I believe wildlife tourism should contribute to the protection of the places and species that make it possible.

Responsible wildlife viewing is fundamental to every tour. That means respecting animals, minimising disturbance and recognising that their welfare must always take priority over getting a photograph or a sighting.

Join Me

Bushido Wildlife is about more than ticking species off a list. It's about taking the time to explore, understand and appreciate the natural world, while recognising our responsibility to protect it.

Whether you're joining me in Japan or travelling further afield, I hope you'll come away with memorable wildlife encounters, a deeper understanding of the places you've visited and a stronger connection to the natural world.[Contact Me →]