Born in Kyoto / Japan. Moves to Germany with his family at the age of 4 and lives in Europe for over 30 years.

In childhood, he learns playing the piano and the violin. He changes to guitar at the age of 16.

Influenced by guitarists such as Carlos Santana, B.B. King and Eric Clapton, in the 80s, he chooses to become a professional guitarist. At the same time, his interest in Jazz / Fusion grows.

He joins several Jazz-, Blues-, Soul- and Rock bands and plays in Germany, Spain and France. During the 90s, he becomes a member of the Musical
“Hair” and tours Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.

In 1992, he establishes his own Rock-Fusion project “ITANI”. He and his German band members perform numerous live-shows. In the spring of 1997, he releases the album “The Journey”.

Besides live performances, he also works for several recordings of other artists as well as commercials. In addition, he also teaches a number of students, from beginner to actively working professionals. Itani is also founder of the “Electric Guitar” course at the municipal music school Wipperfuerth, Germany

In the summer of 1997, Itani returns to Japan. In 1998, he newly starts his project “ITANI”, this time with Japanese musicians in Japan.

In August 2003, he and his band members go to a studio to produce the new album “Between Shadow and Light”, released by BQ Records in November of the same year.

In November 2012, the new Album “Station To Station” comes out, featuring Tim Donahue (who worked with Paul Rodgers of QUEEN/Bad Company, James LaBrie and Mike Mangini of Dream Theater) on the fretless guitar, Masaaki Hiyama (ex-member of the Japanese super fusion group CASIOPEA) on drums, Singo Otani (member of the famous Japanese thrash metal band UNITED) on 7-string guitar and more, “Station To Station” is an outstanding and extraordinary album of progressive guitar music, which also has been well-received outside of Japan.

Currently, he is also guitarist for the acoustic group ROKKA-KOOSTIX, which plays famous rock songs rearranged as jazz numbers, and he is a member of the fusion group SHOOT THE DICE with Jun Saito (who played with Larry Coriell, Gary Burton and Chick Corea) on drums.

In addition to his stage works, he is also a highly respected teacher for guitars and band ensemble in Tokyo metropolitan area.