One of the more important aspects of any business is its effort and success in creating revenue. It makes no difference whether it’s a little neighborhood curry shop that’s only open during lunch hours or a giant global corporation producing and selling value-added products world-wide. It is the effort to get out and create awareness of what [...]
Last year we discovered a CD in the world music section of Tower Records in Zeze by a French artist named Zaz. We didn’t know anything about her but we could listen to the CD in the shop and we instantly fell in love with her smoky voice and bohemian style. We bought the CD [...]
Today, being January 26 marks Australia Day, the day when the British first fleet arrived at Sydney in 1788 and proclaimed British sovereignty. Japan and Australia have developed a healthy and rewarding friendship over the years and today they are strong partners in areas of trade, tourism and cultural exchange. Many young people from both [...]
Not many artists in any music genre are great enough or lucky enough to be known around the world, but jazz artists tend to be well received. If an artist is willing to work hard, tour hard, and be creative, they can achieve world renown in the jazz field. Kei Kobayashi is one such artist, [...]
With the end of January almost upon us, happy lunar new year greetings from Kyoto. I hope 2012 is off to a good start for the entire Smith’s community! 2011, while a period of learning for me at Smith’s Nagaokakyo (スミス 英会話 長岡京), finished up strong. This has carried into the new year and I [...]
This year`s Winter break provided my family with the great chance to travel in the beautiful Japan. We decided to fulfill the wish of our son Kentaro and visit Fuji Q Highland （富士急ハイランド）in Yamanashi （山梨県）. Fuji Q Highland is located on the North side of Mount Fuji just next to the picturesque lake Kawaｇuchi (河口湖） in [...]
No- not the British Broadcast Corporation. I am being featured on a profile piece on Biwako Broadcasting, the local cable network in Shiga prefecture. I thought some of my students and friends might like to catch it live. I don’t know if the channel is available everywhere in Japan or only in Shiga, but don’t [...]
My wife Yoko and I really love visiting temples and shrines and we make quite a pilgrimage out of Hatsumode every year. For those of you new to the word, Hatsumode refers to the Japanese custom of visiting your favorite Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine to pay respects to the appropriate gods and pray for [...]
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