Born in Osaka, Japan. In 1977, Yoshinobu Iwanaga graduated from the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris with top honors and gave a school-sponsored recital at the 'salle cortot' as one of the best graduates of the year. He won first in the third International Guitar Competition of Gargnano, Italy and second prize in the 20th International Guitar Competition of Paris. During this time, he studied the harmony and music of Bach with the world-famous pedagogue, Nadia Boulanger.

Then, he went to Belgium and started concert activities in Europe and in Asia. Both in Europe and Asia he was widely acclaimed for his exceptional talent and virtuosity through his concert appearances and his performances on radio and television. Despite his success, for personal reasons he was obliged to discontinue giving concerts in 1990 and returned home.

In 1997 he resumed his concert career in Japan. His current performances reflect a deepened understanding of music and greater musical maturity. Since 1997 he has appeared before appreciative audiences throughout Japan in his recitals and music festivals as well as on radio and television and has been received enthusiastically everywhere he played.

In 2000, he recommenced again his concert activities abroad. Since then he has been actively performing at recitals and concert tours in many parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, America, Canada and Asia.

In 2003, he received a letter of appreciation from the Singapore-Japan Cultural Association for his contribution to the promotion of Singapore-Japan cultural exchange. Also, he has been involved in the growth and development of the guitar association in Taichu, Taiwan, as a special advisor. In October, 2012, he became the president of the Association of Japan Asia Guitar Education. Since then, he is working to promote guitar education in Asia. His concert in Canada in September 2018 was finished with great success. He is scheduled to perform in France and China next year.