7月 – 2012 – 信州戸倉上山田温泉旅館亀清

白馬連峰：　お父さん登山 Papa's Present: Climbing the Hakuba Range

2012.07.31: 信州の山 Nagano’s Mountains

On top of the World, err, the Japanese Alps, for my birthday with my 2 sons.

12歳のAndy君と9歳のKen君と北アルプスの白馬連峰を登ってきました。家族の夏休みで、子供達はTDLに行きたかった。しかし、お父さん（=私）の誕生日だったので、6月に八方池まで登った思い出があって、是非に子供達と一緒に北アルプスに行きたかった。

せっかくアルプスの近くに住んでいる（戸倉上山田⇔白馬は車で約75分）ので山登りに最適。

ご参考に、私達のコースは下記です:

Our 2 sons (Andy, 12 and Kenny, 9) came with me for a mountain climbing expedition to the Hakuba Range in the northern Japanese Alps. It was our family's summer vacation, and actually the kids wanted to go to Disneyland. But as it was my birthday, and my June trip to Happo Pond had me yearning for the mountains, we went climbing instead.

Actually, our onsen town Togura-Kamiyamada is only 75 minutes by car from Hakuba, so it is so convenient to enjoy Nagano's mountain grandeur.

Of the many trekking possibilities there are in the Hakuba Range, here is the course we took:

一に目Day 1
13:00, 800m 白馬の町からリフトに乗った。
Took the chair lift from down in Hakuba Village.
14:00, 1820m 八方池山荘から登り始まった。
Started climbing from Happo Pond Mountain Hut.
15:00, 2080m 八方池到着。再び登り始まった。
Reached Happo Pond. Started climbing again.
16:30, 2620m 唐松山荘到着。夕食と泊り。
Reached the Karamatsu Mtn. Hut. Dinner and Lodging.
二日目Day 2
04:00, 2620m 唐松山荘にて日の出、朝食。05:30出発。
Sunrise and breakfast at Karamatsu Hut. Dep. 05:30.
06:00, 2696m 唐松岳山頂　Karamatsu Mountain summit
07:00~, 2600m 不帰ノ嶮　'Ridge of No Return'
名前通り、一歩間違えたらおしまい険しい峰。
As the name says, 1 false step and you're a gonner. A very technical series of ridges.
10:00, 2812m 天狗ノ頭山頂　Tengu-no-Atama summit
10:30, 2730m 天狗山荘水場（雪溶け。助かった！）
Tengu Mountain Hut. Watering hole (snow melt -- it was a lifesaver!)
12:00, 2100m　白馬鑓温泉　Hakuba Yari Onsen
着く直前の道が滑りやすくて危ない事！
The descent to the onsen is steep, with the last stretch requiring much caution due to the slippery conditions.
13:00, 2100m お風呂と昼食後、鑓温泉出発
After an onsen soak and lunch, we departed Yari Onsen.
15:30, 1250m 猿倉荘到着 Arrived Sarukura-sou mountain hut.

白馬連峰のリフトなど詳しい事はこちらClick here for more info on climbing the Hakuba Range.

戸倉上山田温泉の初湯巡り　New Onsen-Hopping at Togura-Kamiyamada

2012.07.30: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada

戸倉上山田温泉でおニューの商品が8月1日からスタート：

「かけ流し湯巡り」

亀清旅館を込めて旅館・ホテル16軒はお互いのお風呂をお互いのお客様に提供するとの企画。宿泊者は1000円を払えば自分の泊まっている宿のお風呂以外に2研のお風呂に入れます。
なおかつ、お風呂上りでそれぞれの宿はスイーツか飲み物を提供する。

亀清みたいな小さい宿のお客様が大きい宿の大浴場を楽しめて、逆にホテルタイプの宿のお客様は亀清旅館みたいな手作りの秘湯風な露天風呂に入れます。

取り敢えずは2013年3月末まで実施する予定です。温泉が好きな皆様に戸倉上山田温泉の3倍を楽しめる。是非、この機会を使って、我が温泉の良さを体験して下さい。

Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is introducing a new program for onsen lovers starting August 1st, 2012:

"Kakenagashi Onsen Meguri".

'Kakenagashi' refers to the onsen baths here in our onsen using the hot spring mineral water 100% naturally -- no added water, no re-heating.

'Meguru' means to go around from place to place.

So, 'Kakenagashi Onsen Meguri' basically means Onsen-Hopping. For 1000 yen, guests of the participating 16 ryokans can take an onsen bath in 2 other inns besides the baths in the inn at which they are staying.

In addition to being able to try other onsen baths, each inn will also provide an after-bath drink or dessert, included in the cost of the Onsen Meguri ticket.

For guests who stay at a small inn like ours, Kamesei Ryokan, it means they will also be able to try out one of the giant onsen baths at one of the larger inns. And guests of one of the hotel-like larger places can come and soak in Kamesei's cozy, hand-made outdoor bath.

With Togura-Kamiyamada's new Onsen-Hopping offer, onsen lovers and have triple the onsen enjoyment!

Onsen-Hopping at Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen

西沢さんの語り部体験　商品デビュー Nishizawa-san's Storyteller Time

2012.07.29: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada

Nishizawa-san's Kataribe Night Poster

この戸倉上山田温泉では、「小石の湯」という旅館の宿主、西沢さんは語り部として有名です。戸倉上山田、そして善光寺や上田の昔話を伝えるとの事ですが、その伝え方は面白い訳。内容が分かっても、西沢さんの話し方によって皆さんは感激する。ご本人はもう伝説です。

周りからその語り部をもっと大々的にやって欲しいとの声に従って、この頃は商品化されました。

場所は小石の湯の旅館の宴会所。
時間は夜8時から。　月曜日以外は毎日。　約1時間。
料金は1人500円。
詳しくは亀清旅館のフロントへどうぞ。

戸倉上山田温泉の新たな目玉が生まれました！

In Japan, there is a tradition of storytelling called "Kataribe". It's basically the retelling of childhood stories and local legends. But to watch a skillful Kataribe act, the fun is in the telling. You may already know the story's details, but someone skilled with the Kataribe craft keeps his or her audience enthralled in the story through the telling.

Here in Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen, we are fortunate to have such a storyteller. Nishizawa-san of Koishi no Yu ryokan is a master Kataribe craftsman. He brings alive the many legends of our onsen town as well as Zenkoji Temple, Ueda City and other nearby areas.

Everyone here has been pestering Nishizawa-san to open his act up so anyone can attend. Finally he caved in, and has officially started "Kataribe Night". He will perform his Kataribe every night except Mondays from 8pm at his ryokan's banquet room. Cost is 500 yen per person. For details, feel free to ask here at Kamesei Ryokan. Nishizawa-san's performance is in Japanese, but should be enjoyable to watch just to see his antics.

戸倉上山田温泉　盆踊り大会2012年 Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen's Bon-Odori 2012

2012.07.28: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada

その浴衣を出して、炭坑節を練習しておいて、
戸倉上山田温泉で今年はまた盆踊り大会を開催します。
2012年の盆踊り大会は8月13日（月）、14日（火）と15日（水）で行う予定。
上山田温泉の本通りは歩行者天国になって、私ども商工会青年部は射的や金魚つくい、綿あめ、焼き鳥などの屋台を出して、賑やかになります。
踊り以外は大ビンゴ大会、すいか割り、冠着太鼓の演奏など時間帯によって様々なイベントも予定しています。

本当は私が今年の大会にミスター浴衣・ミス浴衣コンテストを復活したかったけど、説得力が足りず、残念ながら今年はない。まあ、それ無くても地元の皆様及びお盆の間にお越しになるお客様の皆様がご一緒に踊れますので、この夏こそ、盆踊りの良い思い出がきっとできると思います。

Dust off your yukata, practice your Tankobushi (coal miner's dance) moves, and get ready for this year's Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen Bon-Odori festival.

The Bon-Odori dates for 2012 will be August 13th (Monday), 14th (Tuesday) and 15th (Wednesday). Kamiyamada Onsen's main street will be closed to automobiles as the dance will take over the street. Me and the members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce will once again set up food and game booths.

Besides the dancing, the festival also features a giant Bingo contest, a watermelon-splitting contest, a taiko drum performance by our local Kamuriki Taiko troupe, and other fun events.

Actually, I was hoping to reintroduce a Mr. Yukata and Miss Yukata contest, but wasn't successful in persuading the powers that be. But even without a yukata contest, the dancing and other events are sure to make for a memorable O-Bon holiday for locals and visitors alike.

Poster for Togura Kamiyamada Onsen's 2012 Bon Odori Festival

夏の暑さに負けない：　滝シャワーツアー Beat the Summer Heat: Waterfall Shower Tour

2012.07.27: 信州の山 Nagano’s Mountains

Chillin' in Fudo Falls

２０１２年の夏はまた暑～い！その暑さに負けないように、何が良いかと色々と挑戦したら、良い物に当たりました:

滝シャワー！

戸倉上山田温泉の裏にある１２５２mの冠着山の北側に久露滝、南側に不動滝の２つの滝があります。お客様と一緒にその滝にハイキングして、滝の水でシャワーを浴びる事を考えています。

６月は父の日に久露滝に初めて行ってみた。登り口は亀清旅館から車で7.1km（約１５分）、ハイキングは１０～１５分。落差は１５ｍ。

そして、この７月に今度は不動滝に初めて行ってみた。亀清から登り口までは普通の道の4.6km（12分）＋インディージョーンズの世界から出てきそうな凸凹の林道で約2㎞。丸太の橋を渡って、川の横のトレールを登って、約10分。不動滝の水量及び落差は久露滝に負けますが、ワイルド度はかなり高い。

この夏は暑さに負けないで、ご一緒に滝シャワー冒険ツアーに行きましょう！詳しくは亀清旅館へTelを。

Summer 2012 is shaping up to be a hot one! We here at Kamesei Ryokan are thinking up ways to beat the heat, and have come across the perfect solution:

A Waterfall Shower!

1252-meter Kamuriki Mtn. towers over our onsen town, Togura-Kamiyamada. On its north side is Kuro Falls, and on its south side is Fudo Falls.

On Father's Day, I took our kids for a walk up to Kuro Falls. The trailhead is a 15 minute, 7.1km drive from our inn, and the hike is a fairly steep 10-15 minute endeavor. The falls offer plenty of water fall for a shower from their 15-meter drop.

This July, the kids and I went exploring for Fudo Falls. The drive is a tame 4.6km (12 minute) cruise up the backroads of Kamiyamada, followed by an Indiana Jones - like bumpy ride up a dirt track another 2km. After parking the car (jeep?), you cross the log bridge and walk up the trail adjacent to the creek for approximately 10~15 minutes to the falls. Fudo Falls is a lot smaller and shorter than Kuro, but provides plenty of chill action for a summer heat-beating waterfall shower.

So this summer, come with us for a waterfall shower tour! Feel free to inquire by telephone for details.

亀清旅館Kamesei Ryokan

旅館青年部の褒賞：　戸倉上山田の下降（と現在？） Ryokan Junior Assoc. Awards: Togura Kamiyamada's past (and Present?)

2012.07.26: 青い目のおもてなし This American’s Omotenashi

Awards won in the past by Togura-Kamiyamada's Ryokan Junior Association.

日本全国の旅館・ホテル組合の青年部は２年に一度で全国大会が行う。その時に、それぞれの県や支部の青年部の活動が評価されて、褒賞が与えられる。

聴いたら、この戸倉上山田温泉の青年部は以前に数回で褒賞を与えられた。「牛に引かれて善光寺詣リ」のイベントや、夏祭りで行う「下駄供養」など、今まで続いている事は当時に褒賞を受けた。

私が青年部に入った５，６年前にこの戸倉上山田支部で「芸者サミット」の事で褒賞を与えられた。あれから特に大きい事業はなかった。この２年間は私が支部長でいるので、「温泉塾」と言う勉強・地域連携の事業をやってきたので、申し込んでみた。今期の全国大会は９月に沖縄で行う予定で、褒賞の結果は楽しみだ。戸倉上山田の褒賞の歴史が続くかな？

Once every 2 years the national Ryokan Junior Association holds its national convention. At the convention, awards are handed out for the top activities by the various local associations.

Togura Kamiyamada has won several awards over the years. Events that have won in the past such as the "Pulled by an Ox to Zenkoji" and the Geta Offering ceremony done at the summer festival are still being continued today.

During my tenure as our local chapter's leader, I have had our group working on a series of community-building study sessions dubbed "Onsen Jook", and used that to apply for this year's award. The convention will take place in September in Okinawa. We'll see if Togura-Kamiyamada's history of success will continue.

ロンドン五輪に間に合った：　亀清の庭に撫子が咲いてきた Just in time for the London Olympics: 'Nadeshiko' blooming in Kamesei's garden

2012.07.25: 季節 Seasons

亀清旅館の客間「松風」の庭にこの橙色の花が咲いています。撫子の仲間だそうです。今週末からちょうどなでしこジャパン、日本の女子サッカーチームがロンドン五輪に参加する予定、亀清旅館の庭もエールを送っています！

Currently in the garden of Kamesei's "Matsukaze" guestoom, this little orange flower is blooming. It is related to 'Nadeshiko' (Dianthus superbus L. var. longicalycinus, commonly known as "Fringed Pink").

Japan's women's soccer team is nicknamed 'Nadeshiko', named after this flower. With the team in London for the summer Olympics starting this weekend, our flower is blooming just in time!

戸倉上山田の宣伝を東京へ Taking the Togura-Kamiyamada Message to Tokyo

2012.07.24: 青い目のおもてなし This American’s Omotenashi

Nishizawa-san and I in Tokyo

戸倉上山田温泉旅館組合は当温泉の新しい企画の宣伝の為に東京へ行ってきました。今回は旅館ホテル１０社が５班に分けて、旅行会社と業界のメディア―を回りました。

我が亀清旅館は小さくて、旅行会社と契約はないため、私がメディア―の方を担当しました。初めてリーダーに任せてもらって、小石の湯の西澤社長と４件にお邪魔しました。

写真は旬刊旅行新聞に行ったときです。（古沢さん、有難うございました！）

何とか戸倉上山田の認識度アップを目指して、頑張っています！

10 members (including me) of the Togura Kamiyamada Ryokan Association took the Shinkansen into Tokyo for a whirlwind sales trip. We split up into 5 groups and visited travel agents and industry-related media outlets. As our inn, Kamesei, is too small to be contracted with a travel agent, I got to go on the media visitations part.

This picture is from when fellow innkeeper Nishizawa-san and I visited The Ryoko Shimbun office. (Special thanks to Furusawasa-san for the picture)

Hopefully our efforts to spread the word about our onsen town Togura-Kamiyamada will pay off.

旬刊旅行新聞に取り上がりました Featured in the Ryoko Shimbun

2012.07.23: メディア Media

Great article on the Nagano Inbound Conference. Pictured in the article is the Expedia.com table.

先月に松本で開催した長野県旅館組合インバウンド商談会が７月２１日号の旬刊旅行新聞に取り上がりました。記者の飯塚さんの記事内容は素晴らしいし、写真２枚も付くてくれました。

今回の企画ではインバウンド送客１５社を招いて、長野県のホテル・旅館経営者・予約担当約７０人が集まりました。なかなか珍しい企画だった（全国では事例がないぐらい）のでその意味で旅行新聞が来てくれて、嬉しかった。

商談会の前に私の「欧米人の求めているおもてなし」の講演がありました。飯塚さんは講演内容もきちんと書いてくれました。良くお聞きになっていました！

こうやって長野県の旅館活動が広めて、嬉しいです。

Last months Inbound seminar and trade conference that I put on in Matsumoto last month got featured in this week's edition of the Ryoko Shimbun trade newspaper. The Nagano Ryokan Association's Inbound Committee sponsored the event where we invited 15 organizations that work to send foreigners to Japan. Approximately 70 ryokan and hotel owners / reservation staff members attended and met with the various organizations to get an explanation of their operations. We also allowed time for one-on-one consultation where some inns entered into new contracts right then and there.

The reporter for the Ryoko Shimbun aptly described the conference and added a couple of color pictures to the article, too. Before the conference there was a keynote speech by, Yours Truly, on what Westerners expect when they come to Japan. Iizuka-san covered the main points of that speech in her article, too.

I am glad Nagano's ryokan association efforts on inbound are getting this publicity!

貸切露天「しなの風呂」の夏・秋はなマップ Summer/Fall Flower Map for Kamesei's Private Onsen "Shinano-buro"

2012.07.22: 亀清旅館 Kamesei Ryokan

亀清旅館の新しい貸切露天「しなの風呂」の庭に様々な花と植物、木が植えてあって、何が何かわかる様に庭師の岡田さんが花マップを作ってくれました。今度は夏・秋バージョンが出来た。

このマップのお蔭でどの花が咲いているか分かる。例えば、今はちょうど紫の花の植物は２つが咲いている:
タムラソウ　と　アサマフウロ

どうぞ、亀清旅館の新しい貸切露天「しなの風呂」と庭を楽しんでください。

Kamesei Ryokan's new private onsen bath "Shinano-buro" has a garden that features a wide variety of flowering plants and trees. Our gardener, Okada-san, made a flower map of the garden so our guests can keep track of what flowers when.

The Summer / Fall version just arrived, and just in time. Two plants with purple flowers are in bloom now:
Serratula coronata var. insularis
and
Geraniumu soboliferum

So come and enjoy Kamesei's brand new outdoor bath and its colorful garden this summer.