Yusuke Yanagihara was born in Tokyo. He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. In 1998, he won the 3rd prize of the Japan Flute Competition, the 1st prize of the Japan Woodwind Competition, and the 2nd prize and Matsushita prize of Music Competition of Japan. Yanagihara began his appointment as principal flute of Tokyo Metroplitan Symphony Orchestra in 2004. He is a part time instructor of Musashino Academia Musicae.