UNDAODU · MICHAEL J. TROUT · JAPAN
Over a decade of giant-hornet documentary work.
From Animal Planet to Secrets of the Bees.
UnDaoDu — the monk, filmmaker and giant-hornet specialist behind Hornet Hunter — brings together location knowledge, shoot coordination and close experience of hornets and Japanese honeybees. Based in Fukui, with long-standing filming relationships in beautiful rural Ehime, on Shikoku.
Plan your shootFor producers, directors and natural-history crews.
EXPLORE THE DOCUMENTARY WORK
2026 · NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC / SILVERBACK FILMS
Hornet consultancy for Silverback Films’ exploration of the world of bees. The monk brought experience of Japanese honeybee defence and long-standing field relationships in Ehime to the Japan shoot.
Explore the productionWatch the official trailer on YouTube · National Geographic / Silverback Films
2022 · NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC / PLIMSOLL PRODUCTIONS
Hornet and honeybee field consultancy in Japan, including the 2021 pickup shoot for “Rivals.” The series explores the extraordinary senses and abilities of animals. Watch the official series trailer.
Explore the Rivals episodeOfficial trailer · Walt Disney Studios Canada · Watch on the video platform
2016 · SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL / EARTH TOUCH
Japan fieldwork for Earth Touch’s giant-hornet documentary. Watch the version shared by the monk on Move2Japan, with a replacement music soundtrack.
Smithsonian programme archiveMove2Japan upload · music edit shared by Michael J. Trout · Watch on the video platform
2015 · ANIMAL PLANET / HOFF PRODUCTIONS
The monk’s beekeeping experience became part of this Animal Planet special. Filmed in Japan in 2014, it began a documentary journey connecting giant hornets, honeybees and the people who work with them.
Read the origin storyPreview from Hoff Productions · Watch on the video platform
LEARN WITH HORNET HUNTER
THE COMPREHENSIVE MANUAL
$49 USD
Learn how the documentary shots are made: finding locations, reading hornet behaviour, choosing camera equipment and building a filming setup. Explore the preparation and specialist wrangling behind the footage.
Learn moreThe manual is in preparation.
JAPAN · IMMERSIVE FIELD EXPERIENCE
Learn from master hornet hunter Susumu Tokunaga and his Western student, UnDaoDu. An immersive week with the people behind the films.
$3,900First adult in the party
+$1,800Each additional adult
+$900Each accompanying child
USD per week · Minimum one week.
Your hosted week is all included: accommodation, meals, local transport and the field programme.
Bringing children? Activities will be arranged around them while adults take part in the field programme.
Reserve your spotLimited places · Personal interview before confirmation.