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.
海外で育ったサラと豆柴のマルが、東京の四季や街、文化をめぐる物語。
子どもから大人まで楽しめる、英語で描かれた東京の絵本です。
A Peek Inside the Book
See how Sara’s story unfolds through richly detailed scenes of Tokyo.
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
東京を訪れる方への贈り物や、海外のご家族・ご友人へのお土産にもおすすめです。もちろん、日本にお住まいの方や、英語を楽しみたいご家族にも。
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.
A Tokyo gift for groups and organisations
I Love Tokyo: Sara & Maru Explore will be available for individual customers, as well as retailers and organisations interested in stocking the book or ordering multiple copies.
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 discovering the city for the first time
書店・ホテル・学校・企業などでの取り扱いや、10冊以上のまとめてのご注文についてもご相談いただけます。
Planning an order of 10 or more copies?
Retailers, shops, hotels, schools, companies and other organisations can contact us to discuss bulk and trade ordering arrangements.
Please use our Contact form and select “Retailer or bulk enquiry” from the Enquiry Type menu.
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: ¥3,300
Published in Japan by: Ryoko Yomiuri Publishing Co., Ltd.
英語／32ページ・フルカラー・ハードカバー／2026年11月18日発売予定／税込3,300円
Available to pre-order now.
Contact Sara & Maru
日本語でのお問い合わせもお気軽にお送りください。
For questions about the book, an existing order, or retailer / bulk enquiries, please use the form.
If your message concerns an existing order, please include your order number.
We’ll reply as soon as possible.
Follow Sara & Maru on Instagram.
