Founder of Pickleball Lab / Former competitive skier (best finish of 3rd at the world level) / Active tennis coach Born in Yokohama → 15 years in LA → now in Tokyo
“I want to bring the joy of pickleball to people all across Japan.”
3rd
Best world-level finish
15 yrs
Playing tennis
15+ yrs
Living in Tokyo
100+
Paddles play-tested
Story
How I Found Pickleball
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I first came across pickleball in 2026. On a trip to Los Angeles with my family, I found pickleball courts had popped up on the campus of my old university, and my first thought was, “Wait, what is this?!” (Ha!)
Even with 15 years of tennis under my belt, I'll admit I didn't take it seriously at first. But once I actually played, I found it was incredibly deep, and so much fun. The court is small, the rallies keep going, and anyone can enjoy it right away. And yet, if you aim higher, there's no ceiling.
Right after that, I started researching paddles and flew home with about ten of them as a souvenir for myself. Before I knew it, I had play-tested more than 100. Building on that experience, I founded Pickleball Lab because I want more people in Japan to enjoy pickleball.
Profile
Background & Profile
Former competitive skier, best finish of 3rd at the world level
I competed in skiing at world-level events, with a best finish of 3rd place. The body awareness and competitive mindset I developed as an athlete now shape how I evaluate paddles and how I coach.
Active tennis coach (15 years of tennis)
Because I know racket-sport technique and body mechanics inside out, I can give precise, practical advice to everyone from beginners to advanced players.
Born in Yokohama, 15 years in LA, now based in Tokyo
I was born and raised in Yokohama and lived in Los Angeles for 15 years, where I experienced the latest trends firsthand in the US, the birthplace of pickleball. Today I run Pickleball Lab from my base in Tokyo.
Play-tested 100+ paddles from Japan and abroad
I've taken paddles from major brands such as Engage, Selkirk, JOOLA, and Six Zero out on the court and tested them myself. I evaluate each one on both its specs and how it actually feels to hit, and share what I learn on our blog and LINE.
Partnership
As Japan's Exclusive Authorized Distributor of Engage Pickleball
Pickleball Lab is Japan's exclusive authorized distributor (as of May 2026) for Engage Pickleball, a premium American brand used by some of the world's top players.
Because we sell only products sourced through our authorized distributorship, you can count on us for quality, warranty, and after-sales support. Unlike with gray-market (parallel-import) products, we'll take proper care of you if anything ever goes wrong.
We deliver only authentic products sourced through official channels, with reliable support after you buy. Gray-market (parallel-import) products don't come with the same quality guarantee.
Authorization
Engage Pickleball Authorized Japan Distributor
Free Consultation
Ask Coach Yoshi Directly
Choosing a paddle, beginner tips, questions about the rules: feel free to ask me anything on LINE. Tell me about your playing experience, style, and budget, and we'll pick the right paddle together.
