Makoto Ando was born in Sapporo Hokkaido in 1964 and has lived in the village of Tsurui for 25 years.

While running his wilderness lodge accommodation, Hickory Wind, Makoto Ando works as a guide taking guests the Kushiro Marshlands providing information and stories about the Kushiro Marsh from a variety of perspectives.

He also takes guests to Alaska USA once a year in winter to see bald eagles and a variety of other wildlife.

Makoto Ando is a lover of nature and music. He occasionally holds music concerts at his lodge and has had many guest performers including Geoff Muldour and Amos Garett.

・Owner & Nature Guide at Hickory Wind

・Nikon Professional Service Member

・Professional Support Guide of Swarovski Optik Corporation

・A certified professional Hokkaido outdoor master　　guide

・A recognized Hokkaido Japanese crane(tancho) support ranger

・A Shiretoko volunteer guide and ranger

・A certificate holder from the Environmental Education Program  “Project Wild”

My life has changed. I came to Hickorywind as an intern to be a nature guide.I go into the mountain with a pair of field glasses and birds book after a professional photographer and my master nature guide.I never thought this life style.Only crime the mountain was my experience.I just go up to the mountain then I was satisfaction to see the beautiful view until I met Mr.Makoto Ando then he thought me how to learn about nature watch.

I never met like Makoto Ando,he is a great guiterist as a bruceman,he ride on a bike,of course he is the specialist about outdoor nature guide.

Makoto Ando said ,I am a bear.At first I was laughing but recently I thought it may not a joke.He  said many kinds of flower’s name,trees name ,bird’s name in 2seconds.He can find a bear over hundred meters.He might  be a bear..