Umu

The Umu restaurant ( http://www.umurestaurant.com/umu.htm ) is a luxury Japanese restaurant receiving one Michelin star from 2005 to 2010.  I was eager to go since before, but did not have an opportunity in some reasons.  However, a chance came suddenly since I heard that my friend who was a head chef decided to leave the restaurant and move to the Hong Kong.  Therefore, I went there to see him without appointment because he would leave there 2days after!  The dishes were wonderful and customised a little for the UK market.  The time was really luxurious.

Best wishes to him from all of your associates in the UK for continued success in HK!

 

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MBA Program

Consequently, I decided to study MBA at University of Westminster.  To be honest, I had considered for a long time about the meaning of MBA and the university value.  However, everything depends on me how much I study hard.  Despite of recognition in my head, my mind could not be made up.  I should do what I can!  I don't know the results of completion, but I will be able to aim something due to pains.  I suppose that there is no correct answer regarding my decision after examining.  Eventually, I ought to enjoy the school days!  Some classmates from Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the US...seem to be matured, so we can probably have constructive discussion.  Anyway, I had not written this blog for a while due to busyness (excuse...), I also decided to start writing backdated them again..hopefully... 

 

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The IWC Awards dinner

The International Wine Challenge ( http://www.internationalwinechallenge.com/ ) held the awards dinner at the London Hilton on Park lane dated 11th, September 2012.  Fortunately, I could join the party and enjoyed the atmosphere.  They set some section such as not only wine but also merchants, wine education and Japanese Sake.  In 2012, the Judgement of Japanese Sake was held in Japan due to the latest earthquake in Tohoku.  That's why many kinds of Sake brands are gathered in comparison with previous years.  The Japanese sake section has organised by Sake Samurai ( http://www.sakesamurai.jp/ ).  I believe that Sake can attract the UK people and promote in the UK market as a Japanese industry further, because it can be seen that a purchasing price of wine in the UK has risen in recent days.

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Harvesting rice

"The boughs that bear most hang lowest."　
This is a haiku expressed a Japanese mind, whilst a famous Japanese business manager, "MATSUSHITA, Konosuke" who is a founder of Panasonic Corp. used to quote this phrase.  The haiku means in my understanding that higher educated and /or status person behave modestly and appreciate for others.  Almost of Japanese children learn this phrase in a primary school, but I suppose that I did not understand in depth at that time.  At present, I can meet various people, and feel the difference meaning from my childhood.  Although the subject changes, I heard that quoting idiom or maxim recognises nonacademic and immaturity in the UK, whereas the UK recognise that eastern Asia such as Japan and China tend to refer it in some cases.  That was interesting to know the difference of writing style.   

 

The scenery was in northern Kyoto, Japan.

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The Japan Sea

The beautiful scenery at 6 a.m. before sailing the Japan sea from Kyotango.  I often go fishing in Summer, the Kumihama Bay is located in nortern Kyoto.  I suppose that tourists visiting Japan has less opportunities to go to a nature place.  When you go to Japan next time, please discover the different places from famous places such as metropolitan and historical areas.

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Japanese Hot Springs

Hot springs seems a famous tourism place in Japan.  The Japanese feel relax when we have it, even only legs put in it.  Arima ( http://www.arima-onsen.com/eng/index.html ) located behind Mt. Rokko is a famous place of hot springs.

 <Quote> The history of Tousen Jinja (Shrine) which is familiarly known as the protecting god of Arima Hot Springs says that Onamuchi-no-mikoto and Sukunahikona-nomikoto discovered Arima Hot Springs. When the two gods visited Arima, three injured crows drank water from a pool. A few days later, they found the pool curing their injuries, which proved the pool was a Spa.  Only these three crows who found the place of the Spa were permitted to live in Arima and are called “Three crows of Arima” <Unquote>. 

However, many hot springs places reduced visitors due to increasing of various leisure in the recent decade.  Eventually, some organisers attempt to improve the situation and invest facilities in order to invite new targets from inland and overseas.  For example, they build fashionable cafes and provide beauty salon treatments for young women.  Arima seems to be an appropriate place to retreat because the location is not so far from Osaka taking one hour by bus or car.

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Japanese dishes

I went to a Japanese restaurant in name of Kaishoku Shimizu ( http://tabelog.com/osaka/A2702/A270201/27015533/ ) with my friend in Osaka, Japan.  Those dishes, sea urchins from Amakusa, red sea bream from Awaji... were marvelous!
 

I believe that the Japanese food industry lies at high levels not only Japanese dishes but also various country dishes, because many of us are interested in eating and would like to have seasonal ingredients and sensitive decoration.  According to JF net ( http://www.jfnet.or.jp/ ), Japanese market of restaurant creates GBP1.9bin, market including take-out sells GBP2.3bin in 2009 (GBP1=JPY125, as of 2012).  number of payrolls is 441 million as of 2008.  I have to compare with other countries though..., whilst it can be considered that the customer needs are also high levels not only price and taste but also service.  In fact, the number of restaurant receiving Michelin three star is the largest in the world.   Anyway, Japanese dishes in Japan is surely best for me.

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