Yamashita is from Takayama, Gifu and began judo when she was in second grade.

[1] After graduating from Tohwa University, she began working for the Osaka Prefectural Police.

[1] In 2000, Yamashita won the All-Japan Championships and the All-Japan Weight Class Championships (全日本選抜柔道体重別選手権大会, Zennihon senbatsu jūdō taijūbetsu senshuken taikai) and was chosen to represent Japan in the Olympic Games held in Sydney.

There she defeated Christine Cicot by Osotogari to win a bronze medal.

[2] Yamashita retired after the Kodokan Cup (講道館杯, Kōdōkan-hai) competition in 2003.