若女将with新しい箸袋
この間、亀清旅館の夕食用の箸袋を新しくしました。亀清の亀のロゴ及び英語を足しました。今日のお客様が記念として1つを持って帰りたいと言ってくれました。ちょっと嬉しかったです。
A few weeks ago, we had new sleeves printed for our dinner chopsticks. We added Kamesei's turtle logo as well as some English. One of our guests today asked for one to take home as a momento. Maybe our chopsticks sleeves are becoming collectors items?
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
亀清旅館のロビーに去年、薪ストーブを設置しました。その時に、煙突は後ろから出して、外を通りました。効率(と見た目)をアップする為に中を通しなおしておきました。今日は曇りで温度が低いから今晩は今年の発火（？）する予定です。今晩のお客様は火の温もりを楽しんで頂きます。
Last year we put a wood burning stove in our lobby. We ran the chimney pipe out the back and along the outside of the inn. However, to increase the performance (and improve the appearance) we had the pipe re-worked to come out the top and exit straight up. Today is overcast and a bit chilly, so we are planning on lighting the fire in the stove for the first time this season. I'm sure our guests tonight will enjoy the warmth of the flame.
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
ストーブ販売のヤマショーやましょStove Dealer Yamasho
Stove with Turtle Mosaic in Background
亀清旅館の中庭の池に亀は4匹がいます。今日は日中の晴れで一匹が太陽の光を浴びに出てきました。置物の亀の近くの石の上で寝ていました。どちらが本物か、どちらが置物か分からなくなってしまうようです。
In Kamesei Ryokan's naka-niwa garden, we have 4 live turtles in the koi pond. As "kame" means turtle in Japanese, we look at them as our signature animals. One of them came up for some sun in today's warm Autumn afternoon. He laid out on a rock nearby our stone turtle and is such similar size, for a moment I couldn't figure out which one was real and which was fake!
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
Little Stargazers/bathers
旅館の仕事は朝早くから、夜遅くまで、休みが少ない仕事ですが、その代わりに毎日温泉に入れます。夕べも子供達と去年造った露天風呂に入りました。夜空が綺麗で子供と「秋の四辺形」や色んな星座を見ながら、ゆっくり入れました。
Working at a ryokan entails early mornings and late nights, with little time for relaxing. However, it also means being able to take a bath in the hot spring mineral baths every night. Last night, the kids and I enjoyed soaking in the outdoor bath that I made last year. It was a clear night, so we had fun picking out the 'Autumn Square' and other constellations, all while soaking in the onsen.
親戚のみどりさんが戸隠からこの綺麗なFlower arrangementを持って来てくれました。立派のお花、有難うございました！お客様もきっと喜ぶと思います。
Cousin Midori-san brought us back this flower arrangement from Togakushi Mountain, giving us a little of touch of Togakushi's Autumn here in Kamesei's lobby. I'm sure our guests will enjoy the wonderful flowers.
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
The Moon over Kamesei
今晩のお月様がうんと綺麗でした。あと１週間ぐらいで満月：中秋の名月。この辺では大事な時期です。今週末（９月１３日から１５日まで）は姨捨の観月際です。「田毎の月」で有名な姨捨で俳句大会等行う予定です。今年は特に楽しみです。先日の日経新聞｢トップ１０月見スポット」として一番に選ばれました。
（姨捨は亀清から車で１０分です。）
Tonight's moon was so bright and clear. Almost a full moon; the Harvest Moon. Around here, that has special meaning. Obasute will hold their annual 'Kangetsusai' (Moon Viewing Festival) this weekend from September 13th thru 15th. Obasute is famous for it's 'Tagoto-no-Tsuki' terraced rice paddies and a haiku contest will be held as part of the festival. This year is especially celebratory, as Nikkei Newspaper recently selected Obasute as the best place in the country for 'tsukimi' (Moon Viewing).
Obasute is located 10 minutes by car from Kamesei.
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
姨捨観月際の情報はこちらObasute 'Kangetsusai' Info Here
Kamesei Lobby Jazz
先月にシカゴのJazzの二人が泊まってくれました。ジェムスさんとカロラインさんからこの写真が来ました。信州の旅を楽しんでいただいたようです。
Last month, a couple of jazz musicians from Chicago stayed at Kamesei. They sent back these pictures. Judging by these pic's, I'd say they enjoyed their stay in Nagano.
亀清旅館のHPはこちらclick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
シカゴジャズのHPはこちらClick here for James' and Caroline's Chicago Jazz website
Okagura Jazz
Snow Monkey Jazz
Tofu Steak Jazz (?)
Misaki pulling her favorite toy dino
今日はまた雨です。千曲が大分上がってきました。ニュースを見れば、あちらこちらで洪水だそうです。でも、若若女将の黄色ブーツを見れば気分が明るくなる。
Today is another rainy day. Chikuma River's water level is on the rise. The news is showing scenes of flooding all over the country. But one look at Misaki and her yellow rain boots raises one's spirits.
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
Rainbow over Kamesei
日本は今日、全国的に雨だそうです。この戸倉上山田温泉で、夕日のお蔭で虹が見えてきました。大雨のところの皆様が無事にいられるようにお祈りしております。
All of Japan is getting rainy weather today. Here in Togura Kamiyamda Onsen, the sun came out this evening and made this pretty rainbow.
Our prayers go out to those experiencing heavy rain and flooding.
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
Peaches for Sale!
遠い親戚の北山さんが川中島から桃を売りに来ました。裏の駐車場に臨時的な屋台を開きました。私の地元のワシントン州も桃の産地ですが、川中島の桃が負けない！今はちょうどピークです。Juicyで美味しいです。
Our distant relative Kitayama-san came by today with several crates of peaches from the Kawanakajima growing district. He set up a mini-shop in our back parking lot. My home state of Washington is also a major peach producer, but the peaches from Kawanakajima sure can't be beat for taste -- they're so nice and juicy! And right now they're in their peak!
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
