top of page
4-6_20260629-LO-RES.jpg
i-love-tokyo-title-label.png

ON SALE NOV 18, 2026

2-3_20260710.jpg

A Tokyo story to read, share and keep

Sara grew up overseas and has come to live with her grandparents in Tokyo. 
 

With her tiny mameshiba, Maru, beside her, she sets out to explore the city, discovering real places, seasonal traditions and the everyday details that make Tokyo special.
 

Part story and part visual exploration, I Love Tokyo: Sara & Maru Explore is a richly illustrated English-language journey through Tokyo.

Created for children, families, visitors and everyone who has called the city home.

Who is this book for?

I Love Tokyo: Sara & Maru Explore is for anyone discovering Tokyo, remembering their time here, or looking for a meaningful way to share the city with others.
 

  • Children and families exploring Tokyo together

  • Visitors and international residents looking for a lasting keepsake

  • International employees, colleagues and overseas clients

  • Students, interns and international-school communities

  • Conference delegates, speakers and event guests

  • Hotel guests and participants in tourism programmes

  • Friends, family and people preparing to leave Japan

  • Anyone with a personal connection to Tokyo

process_1.jpg

Our journey

Thirty years ago, as Cynthia Usui prepared to move with her family from New York to Tokyo, her daughter received a beautiful picture book about the city she was leaving behind. Cynthia wished she could give her a similar book showing the magic and excitement waiting for her in Tokyo, but she could not find one.
 

Years later, Cynthia met Francis Fung, another devoted Tokyo fan who shared her vision. Together with Japanese illustrator Shota Ike, they began creating the richly detailed Tokyo book Cynthia had imagined all those years ago.

cynthia usui.png

Cynthia Usui

Author & Creator

An entrepreneur and author, Cynthia first imagined I Love Tokyo as a book that would help children discover, explore and feel excited about the city.

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Francis-Fung-profile-RGB.jpg

Francis Fung

Author & Creator

An educator and founder of KiFor, Francis shares Cynthia’s love for Tokyo and wants others to experience what makes the city so special.

  • LinkedIn
Screenshot 2026-08-19 at 15.13.18.png

Shota Ike

Illustrator

A Japanese illustrator whose warm, richly detailed artwork fills Sara and Maru’s Tokyo with people, stories and small discoveries.

  • Instagram
chidorigafuchi tokyo 10-11_20260806_cmyk.jpg

A Tokyo gift for groups and organisations

I Love Tokyo: Sara & Maru Explore can be ordered in quantities of 10 or more by organisations, businesses or individuals.
 

The book can be shared with:

  • International clients and visitors

  • Overseas employees and colleagues

  • Students and interns

  • Delegates and conference guests

  • International-school communities

  • Hotel and tourism guests

  • Friends and family

  • People leaving Tokyo or beginning a new connection with the city

jpeg-I-Love-Tokyo-1_cover_design_20260801_cmyk.jpg

Bring a little of Tokyo with you

A story, a visual journey and an English-language Tokyo keepsake; all in one book.

Book details

Title: I Love Tokyo: Sara & Maru Explore
Authors: Cynthia Usui and Francis Fung
Illustrator: Shota Ike
Language: English
Format: 32-page, full-colour hardcover
Publication date: 18 November 2026
Retail price: ¥3,000 + tax
Published in Japan by: Ryoko Yomiuri Publishing Co., Ltd.

idx_logo_05.png

I Love Tokyo: Sara & Maru Explore By Cynthia Usui and Francis Fung
Illustrated by Shota Ike / Published in Japan by Ryoko Yomiuri Publishing Co., Ltd.
© 2026 Cynthia Usui and Francis Fung

bottom of page