Yoshihiro Suzuki was born in Tokyo in 1959. He graduated from Tohoku University but abandoned his doctoral studies during the final stages. He has worked in art conservation (for the Nara Prefectural Education Committee and the National Agency for Culture) and curated thematic exhibitions (for the Yamato Bunkakan Center and the Nara National Museum).

After retiring from his position at the Nara National Museum, he is now an honorary member. He resides in Nara and lectures at universities, museums, and cultural centers. He has written numerous books on art, particularly Buddhist art.