亀清旅館の裏に中央公園があって、毎年のこの時期に桜が満開になる。そして花見で盛り上がる。昨日は上山田神楽保存会の仲間と獅子舞し、その後皆と一杯しました。隣のグループのお兄さんが二胡の演奏してくれた。桜の花に二胡の音楽でいい雰囲気でした。近所の皆が集まって公園で花見をする；こういうために日本に来た。

Behind Kamesei Ryokan is Chuo Park. Every year around this time, it turns into a cherry blossom wonderland, and comes alive with hanami parties. Yesterday I attended one such flower viewing party with the Kamiyamada Okagura group. We performed a lion dance, and then proceeded to kick back and enjoy the cherry blossoms. In the group next to us, a younger guy pulled out a niko, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, and performed some songs for everybody. The combination of the beautiful flowers and the elegant music was sublime. This was one of those "This is why I came to Japan" deals.

戸倉上山田温泉の亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for the website of Kamesei Ryokan in Nagano