講師として勉強になる When the Teacher Learns

2010.06.30: 青い目のおもてなし This American’s Omotenashi

長野県商工会呼ばれまして、先週の水曜日@松本そして今日@長野市で講師で頼まれました。指導員研修会に指導する皆様に「欧米人が求めるおもてなし」という講演を致しました。
私はこういう講演するのは二つな理由で大好きです。
一つ目はそのインバウンドの認識度アップ、
二つ目は講演先の現地が見え、色んな人と出会えるし、つまり良い勉強になります。
今回の研修会のもう一人の講師が上田市の服部 年明様でした。長野市のルネサンスの建築家と呼ばれているそうです。本人が長野市のタウンマネージャーだった間、大手デパートの跡を市が回収し、市民の中心的な場所を作った;またもう一つのでかいデパートの跡はToigoってテレビ局の本社や人が集まる施設ができた;善光寺の手前にいくつかな空き店舗があって、「パティオ大門」って蔵のテーマの商業施設ができた。とにかく、ものすごく効果を出している人。会ってみたいと思いました。そしたら、今日の公演は昼食の為に少し早く来る様に言われて、隣に座っていたのは、なんと服部さん本人でした!ちょうど良い機会で私が興味津々でしたから色々と聞きました。服部さんはすごい人です。会社のマネージャーなら、商品の組み合わせを管理して、どれが効果を出しているか、何が抜けているか、全部を管理する。町もそうしないと進まないと説明してくれた。亀清旅館は独自で動いてもダメ。温泉街があるから亀清がある。川と山があるから温泉街がある。つまり、全体を合わせて動かないと駄目。
実は、私が最近に「民衆」や「行政」の事に色々と不安を持つようになりました。アメリカで国レベルにも私の生まれ育ちのワシントン州も、私が応援している民衆党が与党になった。色々と期待していたが、あまり改善なし。「民衆」が世界一進んでいる(はず)米国がリーマンショックを起こしたという事は、民衆が最適じゃないんだと最近に思ってきた。もう一つな例はこの千曲市です。2003年に2町1市が合併し、千曲市となりました。合併によって、行政の効率が良くなり、ダブっている部分を削れて、人数が少なくなるはず。実際は合併後、行政の人数が増えた。会社のM&Aの場合はそういう現象は許されない。
服部さんのお話を聞き、シンガポールのようなタウン・国のマネージャーのやり方の方がいいのか?今の「民衆」・「行政」がいい効果を出せばいいけど…
Nagano Prefecture's Chamber of Commerce invited me to give talks in Matsumoto last week and Nagano City today at their annual Instructors' Seminar. The idea was for me to give the instructors some new concepts to use when advising various companies in the prefecture.
I really like giving these types of talks, for two reasons. One is it gives me a chance to raise awareness for the "Inbound" cause. The other is I get to see and meet new places / people. Today's talk was no exception. One of the other speakers was Toshiaki Hattori. During his time as Nagano City's "Town Manager", one defunct department store's building was bought by the city and several essential city functions were centralized there making it a major people draw. Another defunct store was replaced by a TV station's HQ, another people draw. And several empty stores near Zenkoji were remade into "Patio Daimon", a snazzy warehouse-themed shopping plaza. This Hattori-san managed to produce some fantastic results for Nagano City. It was fascinating to talk with him. He explained that, for example, our inn, Kamesei Ryokan, doesn't exist by itself. It's because of the Togura Kamiyamada Onsen town that it exists. The town itself exists because of its proximity to Zenkoji. The entirety has to be taken into account and managed as one.
Talking with Hattori-san raised some anxieties that I have with government and democracy. Back in my home state as well as at the national level in America, the Democratic Party took control, but all of the promised improvements have become bogged down in politics. America was supposed to be the pinnacle of democracy, but that same 'pinnacle' caused this world-wide recession with the sub-prime crash. Perhaps democracy isn't "progress" after all. Another example is here in Chikuma City, which was made by the merger of 2 towns and 1 city in 2003. Usually these mergers result in efficiencies allowing for a reduced total number of city workers. However, the number has actually grown! No corporate M&A would allow that to happen. There isn't enough accountability!
Listening to Hattori-san makes me wonder if a Singapore-like city / country manager system wouldn't be more effective...




信州の「人」 Nagano "People"

2010.06.29: メディア Media

Daddy's in the paper again!

今日の信濃毎日新聞にどこかで見た事がある顔が写っていました。この秋は私が亀清旅館の後継ぎとして戻ってきて5年間になるのでその間の活動についての記事です。インバウンドの事、祭りの事、戸倉上山田温泉の他の若旦那達との努力、などなど。どうぞ、今日の信毎で読んで御覧なさい。

岡田さん、良い記事を有難うございました!

Today's Shinano Mainichi daily newspaper had a familiar face in it. This fall will make 5 years since I moved here to take over Kamesei Ryokan. Shinmai's local reporter wrote a feature article on my achievements since then. Inbound, festivals, working with the other innkeepers of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, etc., etc. Pick up a copy of today's Shinmai and check it out!

Okada-san, thank you for a well-written article!





旅館若旦那達は偶に休まなきゃ Us innkeepers need an occasional play day

2010.06.28: 青い目のおもてなし This American’s Omotenashi

Catch that ball!

旅館の経営者は本当に休みが少ない。24時間働いちゃう。これは確かに健康に良くない。しかし、長野県の旅館青年部が新潟、群馬、栃木と茨城の県青年部をホストして、キックベース大会をやるって聞いた時に、旅館の方で直す所が沢山あるし、仕事がたまっていて、誰が遊ぶ暇があるか?!とブブ文句を言いながら、今日は青木村へ行って、大会に参加しました。
そしたら、良く分かりました。時々は布団引き以外な運動も必要だと。今のこの北関東ブロック長(akaブロック王、さらにaka「オッ」)がカリスマの人で、彼の強い意志で私みたいな頭の固い若旦那の皆を引っ張って、こうやって大会を行います。有難い事で。

Running a ryokan can become a 24-7 job. It's easy to become lost in the work -- which can't be good for one's health. But when the Nagano Junior Ryokan Association announced they would be hosting a kickball tournament, I thought, "Who has the time to goof off like that? There are so many things that need fixing here at the inn, and so much work that has piled up!" So, grudgingly I went to Aoki Village to play in the tournament.
It was a good thing I went. I realized that it's important to occasionally get some exercise other than futon flipping! The Northern Kanto Block leader (or "king" as he likes to be called) is the very charismatic guy that willed this event to take place. I am very thankful!




Kicking Tochigi's butt


Team Nagano


King with his Mad Max Interceptor


まだちょっと酸っぱいけど、杏狩り楽しみ Still a bit Tart, but Fun Nonetheless -- Picking Apricots

2010.06.27: 季節 Seasons

Andy picking Apricots

昨日は午後から雨の予想(鮎釣りの解禁なのに・・・ 釣りの皆さんがかわいいそうでした)だったので、午前中は子供達と一緒に自転車で出かけて、親戚の杏の木に行って杏狩りしました。まだ尼酸っぱいけど、一部は柔らかくて甘かった。とにかく、子供達に果実はスーパーで育っているのではなくて、太陽の下で木から出る事は認識させたかった。実際の杏の木へ行って、自分の手で取って、その場で食べてみるのは一番良いんだ。
この千曲市の森地区は杏で有名です。「あんずの里」とも呼ばれています。杏の木の本数は日本一だそうです。杏狩りはもちろん、そしてピック下杏は今度ジャム作りや缶詰の体験もできます。詳しくは千曲市観光協会のHPへ。

Yesterday the weatherman called for rain in the afternoon (despite it being the first day of ayu fishing season -- all those guys out there fishing on the Chikuma River probably felt lousy), so in the morning I grabbed the kids and we went for a short bike ride over to a couple of apricot trees that some relatives own. The fruit was still a bit tart, but there were a few that were soft and juicy. Besides, I think it's important that our kids understand that fruit doesn't grow on supermarket shelves, but out in the sun on trees. Going to an actual tree, picking the fruit yourself and eating it then and there -- that's the best way!
Here in Chikuma City, the Mori district is famous for apricots. Nicknamed the "Apricot Village", it supposedly has the most apricot trees in one spot of anywhere in Japan. That's the best place to go for U-Pick apricots. In addition, there are also places to can or make jam with the fruit that you pick. For more info, check out the Chikuma City Tourism Assoc. website (in Japanese only).




いよいよ鮎釣り解禁 Fishing Season Here at Last!

2010.06.26: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada

Entrance to the fish shack left, Alps straight ahead, and the Chikuma River to the right

千曲川の上山田・坂城周辺に今朝5時に花火が上がりました。鮎釣りの解禁です!

昨日は坂城のオトリ小屋「マルケン」に挨拶をしに行きました。今年の解禁は去年より2週間遅らしたのでそのお蔭で鮎の大きさは良さそうです。

鮎釣り解禁に合わせて、亀清旅館のChef武井はこの頃、鮎塩焼きを出しております。旬の味、地元の味、やはり長野はいいね!

Along the Chikuma River here in the Kamiyamada and Sakaki areas, fireworks went off at 5am this morning. They were announcing the start of the Ayu Fishing Season.

Yesterday I paid a visit to one of the fish shacks, Maruken in Sakaki. This year's start was delayed by 2 weeks to allow the ayu to size up, and according to the Maruken guys, it was worth the wait.

Here at Kamesei Ryokan, Chef Takei is marking the start of the season by serving salt rubbed grilled ayu to our dinner guests. 'Tis the taste of the season, and our region. Ahh, it's so nice to be here in Nagano!

千曲川鮎釣り漁業組合のHPはこちらClick here for the Chikuma River Ayu Fishing Association website.





First Fishers


Practice for NInJA練習

2010.06.25: 活動 Activities

Tourism Survey and ... Ninjas!

以前にも書きましたが、我々NInJAプロジェクトの仲間が有志で民間レベルでこの長野地方に来る海外からの旅行者にアンケートを実施するようになっています。アンケートが出来上がりましたので協力してくれる清泉女学学院の生徒達と今日、練習しました。メンバーの宮下さんが本物の戸隠忍者で忍術の演奏もしてくれました。新聞の記者も地元のテレビも来てくれて、段々と進んでいます。

As previously mentioned, the NInJA Project group of volunteers that I belong to is preparing to do a survey of foreign travellers coming to the Nagano City area. The survey has been completed, and yesterday we held a practice with the Seisen Women's College students that will be assisting us with the survey.
Miyashita-san, an actual Togakushi ninja and a fellow member of the Project, did a ninjutsu performance for the class, and a couple of newspaper reporters as well as a local TV crew came, too. We are getting closer and closer to making the survey a reality!

Click here for the website of NInJA ProjectのHPはこちら







上山田のもう1つの宝物:サクランボウ Another Kamiyamada Treasure: Cherries

2010.06.24: 季節 Seasons

上山田にサクランボウの農家があるって噂を前から聞いていました。最近にどこの農家か、わかりました。まさか私の上山田神楽保存会の仲間の渡島さんだと思いませんでした。昨日はシンガポールからの客さんを連れて、渡島さんの農場に行ってみました。サクランボウが沢山あって、びっくりしました!シンガポール人が喜んでいました。「シンガポールで桜の実の木はまず見えない。我々シンガポール人がこういう果実の農場を見るのが好きだ」と仰いました。すみませんけど、果実農場で喜ぶのはシンガポール人だけじゃないですよ。我々欧米人も大好きです。特に、サクランボウ!この上山田にもあるって、嬉しいです。
ただし、1つなバッドニュースがあります。渡島さんのサクランボウがこの頃人気になってきて、今年の分のサクランボウ狩りは既にキャンセル待ちになっています。来年の楽しみだね。
I had heard rumours that some farmer was growing cherries in Kamiyamada. Just recently I found out who -- my fellow okagura lion dance buddy Watashima-san. Yesterday I took some guests from Singapore to go see the cherry orchard. They were so excited to see the fruit on the trees. "In Singapore, we never get a chance to see this. We Singaporeans love to visit orchards." I hate to tell you, but it's not just Singaporeans -- we Americans love fruit trees, too. Especially cherry trees! I am so excited to find out about Watashima-san's orchard here in Kamiyamada!
However, one piece of bad news: Watashima-san's cherries are so popular, the U-Pick for this season is already booked out. So that just gives us something to look forward to next year.

渡島さんの農場の連絡先は下記です。場所はマップをご参照に。Watashima-san's Contact number is as below. Location is as per the map.




Cherries as far as the eye can see!


Under cover from the rain and inside netting from the birds


Orhcard Envy from Singapore


What a day! にぎやかな一日

2010.06.23: 青い目のおもてなし This American’s Omotenashi

Today was quite a day. Not all of my days here at Kamesei Ryokan are this busy, but on the other hand, it wasn't all that unusual either.
The day started at 5am, with taking Pauline and her classmate from Keio U. to zazen meditation. Then we came back to the inn, and I cooked pancakes for the kids' breakfast. After that I flipped futons and sent off our guests from the previous night, including a family from Singapore. We stopped at a cherry orchard on the way to the station -- more on that in a later post. Then the director of the city's Economic Development office came to discuss the English walking map / restaurant guide I am making. Next I drove up to Obasute Station, parked the K-Truck and hopped on a train to Matsumoto. There I gave a talk to the Prefectural Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting. (That was a bit daunting to be lecturing to the lectors...) I had a bit of time to kill before the next train back, so I hooked up with my buddy Tom working at a think-tank in 'Moto for a late lunch bowl of ramen. Then it was back to Obasute Station and to Kamesei, where one of our new regular guests was waiting. Itogawa-sensei had been intrigued by one of the statues on display in our inn, and had researched all about it for me. After flipping futons for tonight's guests, it was off to Okagura practice at the town's main park. Somewhere in there was a phone call from NHK, the national broadcaster requesting to do feature TV show on Kamesei.
5am zazen, okagura practice, speeches ... nothing new. But all in one day -- that was a first. Also, at the zazen room, the monk was away so I had to lead the meditation. That was also a first. And at the okagura practice, I put my flute down for one dance and tried my hand at being the rear person in the lion -- another new experience.
All in all, a very full day!
今日は長い一日でした。朝五時から始まった。フランスからの留学生のポリーンさんとの友達を連れて、座禅に行きました。戻ったら、我が子供たちにパンケーキを焼いて、お客さんの布団を上げて見送りして(内、シンガポールのご家族を駅までの送迎の途中で、サクランボ農園にも寄って)、市役所の商工労政係長が作成中の英語マップの打ち合わせで来てくれて、それから電車乗って松本へ行きました。県商工会指導員研修会で講演を頼まれました。指導者の前で立つのは非常につらかったけど、なんとかできました。帰りの電車まで時間があったので松本のシンクタンクで働いているTomさんのラーメンを食った。亀清の戻ったら、常連のお客さんが気になっていた床の間の飾り物を調べてくれて、その結果を説明してくれた。お客さんの布団を引いてから、今度はお神楽の練習。その間のどこかでNHK教育から取材の問い合わせの電話もありました。
とにかく、特ににぎやかな一日でした!




リンゴプロジェクトの試食会 Sampling Party for the Apple Project

2010.06.22: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada

Two types of apple dessert

上山田はお湯も果実も、ダブル宝物があります。しかし、意外にお互いの連携がない。これからはその境を越えるプロジェクトが始まります。有志で我が亀清旅館ともう2つの旅館がリンゴ農園の4か所と話し合って、両方の魅力ををどうやって生かせばいいか考えていきます。リンゴ園曰く、「上山田の宿はデザートで美味しいリンゴが近くで取れるのに、どうしてみかんを出すの?」というクレーム。宿側の板長達の悩みはリンゴがすぐ変色するし、もっと工夫した料理を出したいと。
今夜は私の先輩の宿、滝の湯で集まって、リンゴのアイディア料理を旅館関係、農家関係、市役所関係約10人が集まって、試食会を開きました。滝の湯のリンゴで甘みを取るすき焼きとか、農家の自然に乾燥したリンゴスライスとか、亀清のChef武井のベークドアップルなど、お互いにいい刺激になりました。これからは我々宿側がリンゴ料理プランを作って、農家がヤブキ林檎を提供して、上山田温泉の新たな魅力を作っていきます!

Here in Kamiyamada, we have both an outstanding onsen as well as outstanding fruit orchards. However, for some reason the two don't have many areas in common. Along with two other inns, Kamesei Ryokan is working with a handful of forward-thinking fruit farmers to combine the best of both and provide guests even more enjoyment.
We've had some great discussions so far. The farmers complain that Kamiyamda's inns serve oranges for dessert despite having delicious apples grown nearby. The chef's on the other hand don't like the fact that fresh sliced apples turn color so soon, and besides they pride themselves on being more creative with the cuisine.
Last night we had a tasting party, attended by people from the inns, the orchards, and even city hall. Host Taki-no-Yu's sukiyaki using apple instead of sugar for the sweetener, one of the farmers' naturally dried apple slices, our Chef Takei's baked apples -- it was a very educational event. Now the inns will make "Apple Cuisine" plans, and the growers will provide some of the 2nd grade apples at low cost, and combining forces we will make a result that our guests will enjoy!



信州風のすきやき


温泉夏祭りの獅子準備 Getting the ShiShi Ready for the Summer Festival

2010.06.21: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada

Working on the Summer Festival ShiShi

上山田温泉夏祭りの獅子の準備は昨日、行われました。今までは私が獅子の中の役でしたが、今年は黒い法被を着て、外に出るようになります。外を倒してやるところから、倒せられる方に。中にいる時に、準備は何も必要なく、当日に精一杯暴れるだけ。外になったら、以前準備は大変だし、当日の責任は重いです。子供から大人になってきたって感じ。また初体験だが、失敗しながら、成長しながら、また上山田温泉を盛り上がるように頑張ります!

Preparation for the huge Shishi lion for the Kamiyamada Onsen Summer Festival took place yesterday. Up until now, I had been inside the lion. This year, my role will be outside the lion, wearing a black happi coat. The guys inside try their hardest to knock over the people on the outside. So this year, I will be one of those people getting knocked around. In addition to the new responsibility on the day of the festival, there is also a lot of prep work involved that I've never had to do before. I'm looking forward to my new role at this year's festival!

上山田温泉夏祭りは毎年の7月の海の日の連休。2010年は7月17日と18日です。The Kamiyamada Onsen Summer Festival takes place every year during the 3-day Marine Day holiday. The dates for 2010 are July 17th and 18th.