Sheila Ryan
Nationality: American
Time Living in Japan: More than 25 years
Employers: Kyuden Business Front
Current Job Title: translation
Areas of Expertise: Teaching, Translation, Proofreading, Audio Guide Narration, SEO
Education: B.A., International Studies, Portland State University, 1992
Favorite Thing About Living in Japan: Everything, from the food to the safety to the walkability!
Favorite Place to Visit in Japan: Kobayashi, Miyazaki, and wherever new discoveries await.
BIO: Originally from Seattle in the USA, Sheila has spent most of her adult life in Japan. After retiring from a long career of teaching English full-time, she is now devoting her energy toward assisting the inbound tourism industry.
Sheila does everything from translating and proofreading content to recording audio guides and researching hidden corners of Japan. She endeavors to make this peaceful and polite land the destination of choice for the discerning traveler as well as supporting new arrivals to make Japan an attractive place to work and live.
Sheila’s hobbies include writing Japanese calligraphy which she enjoys as an excellent way to practice and remember Kanji characters. Shiela is also an avid jogger and “fun runner” with a goal of running 5km a day- the best antidote to a chocolate habit. You can often find Sheila at any good coffee shop or Kissaten, trying out a cake set!
Recently Published Work
Sheila Ryan has been working as an expert advisor and consultant for Jarman International on a project to promote the Kobayashi region of Miyazaki to the international market.
Sheila writes,
Tucked among the mountains of the Kirishima Renzan range in southern Kyushu is a hidden gem called Kobayashi.
This town is blessed with an abundance of beautiful nature awaiting exploration at any time of year. In spring and fall, visitors can take in a carpet of flowers at Ikoma-Kogen Flower Station, a highland plateau with views of the mountains in the distance. Summer offers fruit picking and rice planting, as well as water sports such as kayaking and SUP boarding. Winter sees unique local events that reflect the ancient Shinto roots of Kobayashi and its surrounding areas.
Hiking nearby peaks offers a breathtaking vista to visitors and locals alike. Visitors and locals often mix and mingle at one of the area’s famous hot springs like Kannogo Onsen at the Megumi no Yu springs. Spas and hot springs in Japan are an attraction both visitors and locals enjoy. Kobayashi is also famous for its artesian water known for its health and beauty benefits and is listed as one of Japan’s top 100 pure water sources.
Kobayashi is also a destination for foodies who seek out its gourmet cuisine such as sturgeon and Japan’s finest caviar production, Miyazaki Caviar. For those who enjoy drinking, the locally bottled Shochu spirits are a popular product also gathering praise among aficionados.
With so much to see, do, and eat in Kobayashi, visitors may be enticed to live here especially with an innovative Akiya Bank program as introduced here by John Daub.
Kobayashi offers unique charms and value that can only be experienced in person. It’s easy to access as it is only an hour away from Miyazaki or Kagoshima airports by car or taxi, yet it’s a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. No wonder it’s being considered by many as a perfect place for retirement!
