Founded in 2013 by American travel and tourism entrepreneur Scott Brills (pictured above, lower left), Eat Japan was created to introduce the casual traveler to off-the-beaten-track experiences in the country he has called home on numerous occasions throughout his life.
Having studied in Japan in 2001 during his university days, he quickly fell in love with the country, which would lead to him returning every year ever since.
Beginning with a few stints working as a waiter and bartender at hotels and restaurants in the west of the country, he went on to have a stint DJ’ing in Kyoto, worked at a ski lodge in Nagano, and even co-founded a hospitality industry consulting firm in Tokyo in 2006, AssistINT.
Over the years, Scott focused on building up his culinary knowledge through a series of experiences and courses in Japan, the U.S., and Canada, such as:
- Sake Service Institute (SSI) Certified Shochu Adviser
- Sake Service Institute (SSI) Certified Sake Adviser
- Sake Education Council (SEC) Certified Sake Professional
- Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level II Wine Adviser
- Gauntner Sake Professional Course Alumnus
- Shizuoka Tea Study Program Alumnus
- Gakkogura Sake Brewing School Alumnus
- Canadian Tea Institute Tea Sommelier (WIP)
Because of his love for Japan, Scott started leading small group tours around the country in 2014, introducing guests to why Japan is such a special place to him. This was followed by his second trip in 2016, after which he decided to formally incorporate Eat Japan in order to continue providing such trips on a yearly basis going forward.
Nowadays, Scott is assisted by a small team that assists with the curation and delivery of a very limited number of small group trips through Japan each year. Sounds like something you’d be interested in? Let us know!