I just read a posting by a fellow franchisee, Al Bartle over in Okamoto, about receiving an omiyage from a student recently.
If you’re not sure what “omiyage” means, then check out Al’s explanation here:
http://www.sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200707/04/nice-omiyage-or-souvenirs-from-a-student/
I hadn’t thought of writing about omiyage but after having read Al’s post I realized that I often receive omiyage from students and I guess I have started to take it for granted…
Not good! So…
I don’t want to steal any of your thunder over there Al, but I’ve also been the recipient of the occasional omiyage!
Several of my students travel to Tokyo http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html occasionally for business and I’ve made sure to let them know that I am a big fan of one certain omiyage from Tokyo…the “Tokyo Banana!” http://www.grapestone.co.jp/tokyobanana/index.htm (this site is in Japanese only, but the pictures are understandable in any language!)
I’m very happy to say that I now have a very steady supply of “Tokyo Banana” coming in and even though my students find it unimaginable, it’s great with a cup of coffee in the morning!
I broke into my latest box of these sweets this morning having received a fresh batch just last night at Smith’s School of English Kamishinjo! Thanks!
By the way, another all-time favorite of mine comes from Hiroshima http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2160.html and it occasionally makes an appearance at Smith’s School of English Horie.
It’s known as “Momiji-Manju” and in my opinion the most famous and best-tasting is made by a company called Nisikido.
http://www.nisikido.co.jp/top.html
I also reciprocate whenever I travel.
From time to time I travel to Tottori http://www.pref.tottori.jp/english/ and I’m always sure to bring back something made with the famous Tottori Twentieth-Century Pear. http://kanko.pref.tottori.jp/english/
These gifts are always a big hit with the students!
I enjoy this giving and receiving of omiyage which is a custom here in Japan, and I believe that it helps us as teachers here at Smith’s School of English to build long and lasting personal relationships with our students who so often we also consider our close friends!
Alessandro “Alex” Stanciu
アレッサンドロ“アレックス”スタンシュー
Smith’s School of English Horie/Yotsubashi
月謝制のスミス英会話堀江校 / 四ツ橋校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/horie.shtml 大阪市英会話
Smith’s School of English Fuse
月謝制のスミス英会話布施校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/fuse.shtml 東大阪市英会話