Sake With Susan is your website for Japan travel tips and cultural insights, designed for families planning adventures with their grown children.
Meet Susan
Picture this: A college student at UC Santa Barbara facing her first breakfast in Tokyo – dried fish staring back at her. (Spoiler: I was convinced I’d never return to Japan after that morning!)
After graduating and briefly working for a Japanese corporation (let’s be honest – pushing papers wasn’t my calling), I found my real adventure teaching English in Japan. Thanks to a wonderful Japanese family who basically adopted this confused American, I discovered a Japan that most tourists never see.
Little did I know that single fish would lead to a three-year Japan love affair filled with unforgettable experiences...
…and the start of my journey as a Japan Travel Planner. From the vibrant energy of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, I began creating my own Japan travel guide Tokyo and Japan travel guide Kyoto, long before I realized others would want them too.
Three years, countless train rides, and endless bowls of ramen later, I had transformed from that fish-fearing college student into someone who knew the best hidden temples, secret sushi spots, and yes - even grew to appreciate breakfast fish.
My wildest adventure?
Taking a remote cable car up a mountain to spend the night in a temple, joining monks for morning prayers. Talk about a wake-up call!
Fast forward to July 2024, when I got to share my Japan travel itinerary with my three grown daughters. Watching them discover the magic of this incredible country (while occasionally getting lost in Tokyo’s back alleys—sorry, girls!) reminded me why I fell in love with Japan in the first place. Now, I help others navigate Japan with confidence and joy—whether they’re wondering about Japan tour cost, searching for the perfect Japan visit guide, or needing a personalized Japan guide travel experience that goes far beyond the tourist trail.
