千曲市の稲荷山地区はイメージの問題がある。千曲市の観光課は森の杏、姨捨の棚田と戸倉上山田の温泉に並べて「蔵の町」として売ろうとしている。観光客がかなり期待して、実際に行ってみればがっかりして、文句を言う事が多い。何故なら、ちゃんと整備されている蔵はちょっとしかないから。
蔵の土壁が崩れてきて、又はアルミサイディングが貼ってあって、又は蔵が撤去されて代わりに輸入住宅が建てられたとか。
その歴史的の街並みを守ろうとする稲荷山町並み委員会は今日、「街中ウォッチング」と言うイベントを行った。稲荷山じゅく会長の泉さんが私達３０人を案内して、町の歴史、残っている蔵の守るべきな部分を説明してくれました。壊れてきている・壊されている中で、味のあるのは所々にあります。特に浦の小道を通れば、見れる。
地元の方は「こういう動きは２０年前からやるべきだった」と。
Chikuma City's Inariyama district has an image problem. The city's Tourism Department is trying to sell Inariyama as a "kura" (historical warehouse) neighborhood on par with Mori's apricots, Obasute's rice fields, and Togura-Kamiyamada's onsen. However, tourists who go see Inariyama are inevitably disappointed because there are so few kura left in good shape. A lot of the earthen walls are disentegrating, or getting covered up by aluminum siding, or getting torn down entirely and replaced by Western-style housing.
Today, the Inariyama Town Preservation Group held an event called "Inariyama Watching". Izumi-san from Inariyama Juku Kai led about 30 of us on a walking tour, pointing out the neighborhood's history and the remaining classical kura spots. Amongst the dilapedation are some very impressive examples of kura architecture. Especially on some of the narrow side streets.
One of the older residents remarked he wished this type of effort had started 20 years ago.

上山田温泉の代表のイベント、温泉夏祭りはあと４週間弱。７月１８日と１９日の海の日の連休です。温泉中で皆が準備で段々と盛り上がってきています。私も昨日で４回目の寄付集めで回りました。亀清の若女将は民踊連の今年の「長」です。４５０人の踊りやの管理が大変だけど、本人は頑張る気。子供を育ちながら、旅館の若女将の仕事をしながら、私は感心している。でも、それが祭りだ。祭典取締の１人、大黒屋の夏目さんはレストランを休みしながらやっている。自分の店を町の為に一ヶ月間犠牲するなんて、すごい！祭りが終わってからにんたれカツを食べに行こう！
ちなみに、自分は当日、土曜日にお神楽で獅子笛、日曜日は祭りのでかい獅子に入る予定です。
上山田温泉の夏祭りはかなり迫力のある祭りで一回見ればまた見たくなる。海外からの常連の客さんもいるぐらい。皆さんに是非、見てもらいたいので今年の上山田温泉夏祭りにおいでやす！

Togura Kamiyamada Onsen's biggest event of the year, the Kamiyamada Onsen Summer Festival, is less than 4 weeks away. It will be held on the July 18th & 19th "Umi-no-hi" holiday weekend. This type of festival really brings the community together. Kamesei's "waka-okami", Mari, is this year's person in charge of the Minyoren dance -- 450 people in an organized procession dancing to 3 different traditional songs. She's busy handling all the preparations for that along with raising our kids and doing her regular duties here at the inn. That's "matsuri" (festival) for you. One of the leaders of the organizing committee, Natsume-san from Daikoku-ya, is having to close his restaurant for the duration of the preparations. He deserves an award for dedicating so much time to the town. Let's all go eat the garlic sauce pork cutlets at his restaurant after the festival is over!
As for me, I will be doing the flute with the Okagura guys on Saturday, and you'll see my long legs sticking out of the huge festival lion on Sunday.
Once you see Kamiyamada's energy-filled summer festival, you'll want to see it again. We have one guest who will be coming from Denmark for his 3rd festival this year. Don't miss it!

祭りの詳しくはこちらClick here for details on the festival.

これはただの石に見えますか？どこの石でしょうか？実は、ここが戸倉上山田温泉のど真ん中です。千曲川の石です。堤防の中に入れば、別な世界になる。自然な川辺の世界。
私は子供のころから良く川で遊んでいた。地元のシアトルの近くで家族の別荘があった。山のふもとの川沿いだった。こういう石でよく冒険、探検した。この千曲川に石を見れば、浅間山から噴火された石もあり、ざらざらの石、すべすべの石、色々ある。今日は子供たちと一緒に遊びに来て、千曲川の石辺から日の入りを見ました。
Do these look like just a bunch of rocks? Where are these rocks? Actually, this place is in the middle of Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. These are rocks of the Chikuma River's banks. Once you descend inside the levees, you enter this separate world -- a world of river rocks. When I was a kid back in the States, I used to explore and horse around in rivers and with river rocks very similar to this. My parents have a cabin along a river in the foothills above Seattle. So when I see rocks like this, I spot volcanic rocks that spewed from Mt. Asama, rough rocks, smooth rocks, all kinds of unique rocks. This evening I took our sons down here to the Chikuma River rock field to watch the sunset.

このトルコギキョウの花はは息子達のクラスメートのお母さんから頂いた。この戸倉上山田温泉は上山田地区の北端です。南端に「力石」と言う地区があって、そこのハウスのトルコギキョウは業界の中でかなり有名だそうです。そのクラスメートの家はやはりトルコギキョウを育っている。

私の先輩、中央ホテルの小平さんによると、
力石地区の「トルコギキョウ」は日本一です！花作りの方々の研究＆改良で、質の良い花を作る技術の高さは全国的に有名。
オリジナル品種「ちくまのすずみ」「ちくまの初恋」は、質の良い花を作る技術の高さで全国的に有名な産地です。
4月初旬～秋口まで、長期にわたり生産ができます。

We got these lisianthus flowers from the parents of one of our kids' clasmates. Our onsen, Togura-Kamiyamada, is located on the northern edge of the Kamiyamada district; on the southern edge is Chikaraishi. That district has a lot of greenhouses where they grow a lot of these lisianthus (Eustoma russellianum Griseb.) flowers. That classmate's parents grow them, too, and gave us this beautiful bunch.

Apparently, Chikaraishi is well-known in the fresh-cut flower industry. They grow the most lisianthus of anywhere in Japan, and a lot of research is done to come up with better and better varieties. Some of the varieties that have been developed are "Chikuma Suzumi" (Chikuma Cool Breeze) and "Chikuma Hatsukoi" (Chikuma First Love). Chikarishi is supposedly pretty famous for its flower growing technical skill and the improvements they have made in the varieties.

All here in our little Kamiyamada town. I wonder if our sons' classmates realize they are part of something so big? Anyways, knowing all of this makes me appreciate these flowers even more.

この戸倉上山田温泉の旅館青年部の総会は今日、行いました。私が副部長として初めてでした。そして、私が担当しているカラコロにぎわい協議会「エコ＆健康委員会」の現状を発表しなければならなかった。そのために、この簡単なビジュアルを作りました。
旅館青年部の中で、若い連中とOBの間ぐらいに入っていて、責任がどんどんと来ているけど、皆とこの温泉を何とか盛り上がっていきたいですね。

The Ryokan Junior Association (seinenbu) here in Togura Kamiyamada Onsen held its annual meeting today. It was my first as vice-chairman. And as the chairman of the "Kara-Koro" Civic Improvement Organization's Eco and Health Committee, I had to make a presentation on our committee. I went ahead and prepared this little visual to explain to everyone.

I've reached a middle point in the seinenbu where I'm a step above the youngsters, and a step below the "OB". I hope to use my increasing responsibility to give some energy to our town!

戸倉上山田温泉のカラコロにぎわい協議会「エコ＆健康委員会」（会長＝私）は来年秋のJRグループのデスティネーション・キャンペーン：信州（テーマ＝ウォーキング）を向かって、今の内にエコツアー関係の商品を造成しょうとしています。取り敢えず、既に実施しているのノーディック・ウォーキングの商品のついでに、千曲市の３つの団体と商品造成の打ち合わせをしています：
＊楽知会　ボランティアガイド
＊千曲サイクリングクラブ
＊千曲市川西地区振興連絡協議会　（善光寺カイドのウォーキングマップを作成した）

そして、商品造成に当たって、色んな壁があります。壁を越えるヒントを頂くように、「観光カリスマ」の山田桂一郎さんを呼びました。６月２５日午後１時～５時で上山田文化会館で「今、なぜエコツアーが大切なのか！」と言う講座が開催される予定です。エコツアーの企画、商品造成、運営などを実例から教えて頂く予定です。

問い合わせは千曲市観光課の高島さんまで　Tel(026)275-1753

Togura Kamiyamada Onsen's "Kara-Koro" Civic Improvement Organization's Eco and Health Committee (Chairperson: Yours Truly) is working on developing marketable travel options in conjunction with JR Group's special Destination Campaign highlighting Nagano Prefecture for Fall of 2010. The DC's theme is "walking", so we are working on athletic tourism options for Chikuma City.

So far there is already a Nordic Walking tour that has already been established, and we are working with 3 more local groups to develop additional "products":
* Rakuchi-kai volunteer guides,
* Chikuma Cycling Club
* Chikuma City West Bank, who put together a walking map for the city's west side.

In developing new products, there are numerous obstacles. In order to get some hints for overcoming those obstacles, we have requested Mr. "Charisma Tourism", Yamada Keiichiro-san from Zermatt to come. He will give a lecture entitled, "Why is Eco-Tourism Important Today?" He will give real-life examples of planning, developing and running eco-related tours.

The lecture is scheduled for 25-June (Thurs) from 1pm to 5pm at the Kamiyamada Bunkakaikan. For more info, pls contact the city's Tourism Department, Takashima-san, Tel(026)275-1753.

千曲市の「森」地区に長野県立歴史間が有り、常設展示室の動くナウマン像が印象的。今日は学校が休みなので「長野県立歴史館へ行こうか」って聞いたら、「いや、ナウマン像を見たい」と言われた。同じところじゃないですか？

と言うことで、歴史館へ行って見ました。そうすると、駐車場がいっぱいで吃驚しました。こんなに人気あるかと考えながら、良く聞いたら太鼓の音があった。太鼓を見に行ったら歴史館の横に縄文時代な「科野のムラ」があって、村の田んぼに田植え祭りが行われていた。江戸時代の格好の娘達が手作業で田植えをやっていました。その応援（エンタテインメント？）で屋代の太鼓グループが演奏していました。田植え体験コーナーもあった。

偶然で見れた田植え祭りで盛り上がって、その後は歴史館に入ったけど例の像の写真を撮り忘れた。また行かんとあかん。今度は田んぼの収穫の時かな？１１月３にここでまた祭りがあるのでこの田んぼから取れたお米の料理が出るそうです。お楽しみに。

歴史館は戸倉上山田温泉から車で約２５分。しなの鉄道屋代駅から歩いて２５分（バスも有り）。HPはwww.npmh.net

Here in Chikuma City there is the Nagano Prefectural Museum of History. At the entrance to their Regular Collection display is a dynamic moving statue of a pre-historic Nauman Elephant. The kids were off from school, so I asked them if they wanted to go the History Museum. They said, "Nah, we want to see the elephant statue." It's the same place!

So anyways, we drove over to the museum, and were surprised to see the parking lot was so full. As I was thinking to myself, "Is this place that popular?" we heard the beats of taiko drums. Hmmm. We went to see what was going on, and there in the mock-up of a Jomon-era village next to the museum, a "Ta-ue" (Rice Planting) Festival was taking place in the "village" rice fields.

Some highschool girls were dressed up in Edo-era traditional clothes and planting rice to the entertainment(?) of the taiko drums. There was even a field where festival participants could try doing ta-ue.

We were so impressed by the festival we happened upon, that when we finally made it over to the museum, I totally forgot to take a picture of the elephant. We'll have to again -- maybe this time in the fall when they harvest these rice paddies. Apparently on 03-November, there will be another festival featuring rice dishes made from the "village" rice.

Nagano Prefectural Museum of History is located about 25 minutes by car from Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, or 25 minutes by walking from Yashiro Station on the Shinano Railroad line (busses also available). Website is www.npmh.net.

戸倉上山田温泉から約１kmに千曲川沿いにこんな綺麗なラベンダー畑があります。昨日は子供たちを自転車で連れて行って、ラベンダー畑の隣でピックニックをしました。ラベンダーの香り、川辺のそよ風、小鳥の可愛い泣き声とウシガエルの可愛くない（？）泣き声、楽しいピックニックでした。

About 1km from Togura Kamiyamada Onsen along the Chikuma River is this pretty lavender field. Yesterday I took the kids for a bike ride there and we had a little picnic. The fragrant scent of the lavender, the light breeze from the Chikuma River, the sounds of birds chirping and bullfrogs belching made for a lovely picnic. (Well, the bullfrog belching wasn't exactly lovely...)

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.

夕べは戸倉駅の上の天狗公園に寄りました。ちょうど日の入りの時だったので、写真家が好きそうな光の中で千曲川や周辺の山がとっても綺麗でした。そして、天狗の像がいつもより感動的でした。
連れて行ったお客さんに「どうして天狗は葉っぱを持っているの？」と聞かれました。恥ずかしい事で、私が勉強不足で知りませんでした。調べたら、天狗はその葉っぱで風をいじれるそうです。なるほど。色々と調べたら、天狗の山伏の関係や、天狗の仏教・神道関係とか、天狗の世界はかなり奥深いので勉強になりました。
鼻の大きさは日・米では違う感想があるそうです。日本の「鼻が高い」＝「プライドがあり過ぎ」と違って、欧米では、ピノッキオのように「嘘吐き」のイメージになる。

Last night I took some guests up to the Tengu Park above Togura Station, right at sunset. The soft light of the setting sun created a surreal scene of the Chikuma River and the surrounding mountains -- it was strikingly beautiful. The huge Tengu statue was even more impressive than normal lit up by the setting sun.
One of the guests asked why the Tengu is holding a leaf. I was embarrassed to admit that I didn't know. I did some research when I got back, and found out the Tengu uses the leaf to control the wind. Apparently they can create hurricanes with it.
There's a really good description about Tengu on the Obakemono Project website. I was surprised to learn just how complex the mystical legends are about the Tengu. Besides the supernatural power to control the wind, I was fascinated to learn that the evolution of the Tengu is related to the conflict between Buddhism that was imported from China and Japan's domestic, animistic Shinto religion. There's also an interesting explanation on the background to the pom-pom's on his coat, as well as mention that it was the Tengu that taught the ninjas their art. Now I'll have much more appreciation of our Tengu the next time I see him above Togura Station!

戸倉上山田温泉の隣の坂城町で５月３０日から６月１４日までバラ祭りが行っています。場所はさかき千曲川薔薇園です。今日は亀清旅館の若女将と２人でデートでその祭りに行って着ました。花より団子じゃないですけど、私にとっては薔薇より坂城の名物「鼠大根」のおしぼりうどんを楽しみにしていた。でも、薔薇は綺麗でしたし、風で流れてきた香りも良かったです。そして、植えたばかりの薔薇はこれから毎年段々と大きくなり、更に綺麗になるでしょう。

デートスポットとして如何でしょうか？坂城の薔薇園。

テクノ坂城駅から約１km。

注：長野市の北側の信州中野市にも薔薇祭りがあります。「一本木公園」でのバラまつりはは６月２１日まで行っています。詳しくこちら。

Sakaki is the town next door to Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. Their Rose Festival is going on from 30-May to 14-June this year. Today my wife and I went on a little date to go see the roses at the garden alongside the Chikuma River.

To be honest, I was more interested in the Oshibori Udon noodles we ate for lunch -- they use Sakaki's specialty "nezumi daikon" radish that packs quite a spicy kick for the dipping sauce. But the roses were beautiful, and their lovely fragrance wafted on the breeze to be enjoyed by our noses. Ahh, how romantic.

As a date spot, the Sakaki Rose Festival makes for a lovely afternoon. The location is approximately 1km from Tekuno Sakaki Station on the local Shinano Railroad line.