Takeo Ischi: The famous Japanese mechanical engineer-turned yodeller in Germany

Meet Takeo Ischi, the ‘Japanese Yodeller’ of Bavaria. At 77, Ischi is a beloved figure in the world of yodelling, a passion he discovered after moving to Europe in his twenties to study mechanical engineering. Influenced by German and Swiss films with yodelling themes, Ischi’s journey into yodelling began with a chance performance in a Zurich bar. Impressed by his skill, the bar owner offered him a job and a place to stay, launching Ischi’s unique career. Despite initial resistance from his parents, Ischi’s success in yodelling has made him a YouTube sensation, with his 2017 collaboration with The Gregory Brothers boasting over 28 million views. Now, he’s expanding his reach to TikTok, sharing the joy he finds in this traditional art form. Ischi, who lives in the Bavarian Alps with his German wife, believes yodelling is “the best place for yodelling” and that it brings happiness to everyone.