戸倉在住のPeter Ninnesさんはまたやってしまいました：新しい「長野県ウォーキング・ハイキング・サイクリングガイド」を出版しました。今回は軽井沢と周辺です。千曲市番と上田市番に続いて、これで３つ目の本です。

外国人は日本で町歩きや山登りをしたくても、情報が少ない。Peterさんは長野の町の歴史や山の自然が大好きで、回りながらそのうんちくを調べて、そして自分で本を作って、出版しています。

これで長野に来る外国人がより深く信州を楽しめると思います。

Aussie expat and fellow Go-Nagano ambassador has been at it again. He just published his 3rd book in his Hiking, Walking & Biking Nagano Guide -- the Karuizawa edition. Joining the Chikuma City and Ueda City editions, Peter's guide gives detailed information on lots of well-researched courses from walks around town to vigourous hikes in the nearby mountains.

Karuizawa is perhaps best known nowadays for its outlet shopping mall. But what drew people here originally is the beautiful natural scenery, such as graceful Shiraito-taki waterfall and awe-inspiring Mt. Asama volcano. Western missionaries from Tokyo started coming here to escape the heat of summer and Karuizawa gradually developed into a resort town here among the mountains of Nagano.

Peter's 16 courses for Karuizawa and surrounds will help you explore the area's natural wonders as well as take you through the history of the town's origins. Many of the courses are well-suited for bicycling, and you'll find many rental cycle shops in Karuizawa.

Get a copy of Peter's Karuizawa Guide (now available in electronic form for downloading to your smartphone or tablet) and use it to gain a deeper understanding of this popular corner of Nagano Prefecture. And be sure to check out the Chikuma City and Ueda City guides as well!

Peter Ninnes' Walking, Hiking & Biking Guide to Karuizawa

人形アートの高橋まゆみからハガキを頂きました。

恐らく、ご本人からではなく人形館のスタッフからでしょ。しかし、手書きの挨拶があって、その努力に頭を下げます。

定期的にこういうハガキが届きます。今回は今年度後半の展示会の案内です：

9/26（木）～3/25（火）
「人形ができるまで」
まゆみさんの独特の人形の作り方と技方が分かる様な展示だそうです…が、
真似したいから見る事だけ、止めましょ。人形の魅力は単純にそのままで楽しんでください。作り方が分かれば、まゆみさんはどれだけ才能があるか更に深く理解すれば良いと思います。(すみません、余計なこと…)

他の秋のイベント：
ギャラリートーク　１１月６日(水)

そして、通年は真由美さんご本人の来館は毎月１５日の１０：００-１２：００です。

北信の新しい観光名所、高橋まゆみ人形館に、この秋こそ、見に行こう♪

We received a postcard from doll making artist Mayumi Takahashi. Probably not from the artist herself, but one of the staff from her museum. But it included a hand-written message -- I take my hat off to their hard effort.

The museum regularly sends us postcards announcing their seasonal shows. The one for this autumn and winter runs through 25-March, 2014 and features an exhibit depicting the process that goes into making the dolls.

高橋まゆみ人形館Mayumi Takahashi Museum of Doll Art

駒ヶ根市周辺に独特な工場見学はいくつかがある。以前はマルスウィスキーと南信州ビール工場の事を書いた。マルスウィスキーは世界レベルで注目されているので、お勧めです。

しかし、もっともっと「信州らしい」のは養命酒の駒ヶ根工場。

薬用養命酒は14種類の生薬で作られて、その一部はこの中央アルプスの自然から来る。工場の周りの敷地は36万m2、その約70％が森林だそうです。この自然から生まれた養命酒の瓶詰と梱包の見学が出来、薬酒の造り方の説明動画も見えます。

それだけで十分価値がある所、その上に記念館とカフェ「ヒーリングテラス」となっている改造した酒蔵もあり、森林の中の散策コースもいくつかあり、そしてこの土地で発見された縄文・弥生・平安時代の遺跡に記念して、それぞれの時代の復元された建物もある。

養命酒駒ヶ根工場はただの工場だけじゃないです。信州の自然・大昔の人々の生活を物語ります。

Komagane City is home to Yomeishu, the medicinal liqueur. This herbal tonic is made from 14 natural medicinal ingredients, many of which are found here at the base of the Central Japanese Alps. In fact, the plant's grounds cover over 360,000m2 of which 70% are natural forest.

Factory tours start by driving to the plant's entrance gate, where guests are directed to the visitors parking lot. A short walk takes you to the main entrance building and its elegant lobby. Walk up the stairs where a greeter takes your name and address, and guides you to the theater room for a 10 minute video presentation (with English subtitles) about the history and manufacturing process of Yomeishu. After that, the guide takes visitors across to the bottling plant where you can see the automated bottling and packing lines. (Explanatory signs in English.) The tour finishes with a sampling of Yomeishu (except for designated drivers -- they get a bottle of mineral water that also comes from the plant.)

The tour in and of itself is worthwhile, but that is not all. There are 4 nature walks to enjoy the forested grounds, a restored sake storehouse that serves as a museum (which holds classes on natural herbs and medicinal Chinese cooking) and cafe, and 3 restored prehistoric dwellings representing artifacts found on the site from 3 separate ancient eras: the Jomon, Yayoi and Heian periods.

A factory tour of the Yomeishu Komagane Plant will give you a deeper understanding of Nagano's rich natural environment and its connection to the people here from times past to the present.

養命酒 Yomeishu

長野県らしい体験を海外に紹介する「ユニーク長野」の事業で駒ヶ根シルクミュージアムを視察してきました。日本の「シルクロード」はこの伊那谷から始まって横浜港まで続いて、世界へ輸出されました。

きっと私の自家のシアトル港へ運ばれたでしょう。私にとっては生まれた町と新しいホーム、長野との嬉しいつながり。

最寄の駅からは遠いし、体験の「まゆクラフト」とかは子供っぽいとの心配でした。しかし行ってみれば、個人的に興味深い内容ばかりで館長の関さんと体験工房の矢島さんのご丁寧なご案内で2時間もいました。シルクの世界歴史や信州でのルーツに興味のある方にはお勧め！

As part of the Unique Nagano project to introduce Nagano's unique activities and cultural experiences to the world, I took a tour of the Komagane Silk Museum.

Japan's historical silk road originated here in Komagane and the Ina Valley and extended to Yokohama Port where the silk was exported to the world. The Komagane Silk Museum not only describes that history, but that of the the role of silk throughout the world as well as throughout the ages. It is a working museum, with a research lab where silkworms are actually grown for their cocoons. It boasts a full workshop where visitors can do everything from making cocoon-based crafts to dyeing silk fabric or weaving a silk tapestry at a real loom.

To be honest, at first I was dubious about the Komagane Silk Museum, with its location far from public transport and some of the crafts struck me as being a bit childish. However, the curator, Seki-san, very kindly gave me a tour of the museum and workshop, leaving me amazed at how fascinating the history and complexity of how silk is made and used. Curious about how many cocoons it takes to make a kimono? See the glass cannister filled with cocoons. Want to know where the indigo dye for the silk dyeing comes from? There are indigo plants right outside of the workshop. Ever seen a real-life silkworm? Check out the lab where you can see the larvae munching away at mulberry leaves. (By the way, cocoons used in the workshop are grown in the museum's lab, and the indigo dye is hand-made on-site from the indigo plants growin in the museum's garden.)

Yajima-san, the workshop attendant, sat me down to make a tanuki raccoon dog out of cocoons. It turned out to be a very educational experience getting to work with real silk cocoons with my very own hands, feeling and getting accustomed to their physical properties. Then Yajima-san pointed out some of the intricate silk craftwork on display, everything from silk flowers to samurai dolls made from cocoons. Obviously, working with silk for crafts is not just for children!

There is very little English explanation at the museum other than a brief description reproduced (with editing by me) below. But the workshop activities are all hands-on enough that verbal explanation wouldn't be necessary.

The facility's location is in a hard-to-find spot quite far from the nearest train station, Komagane on the JR Iida Line. It's 10 minutes by taxi, and I do recommend taxi as the driver would likely be able to navigate the backcountry roads to get to the museum with no problem. The taxi fare would be approx. 2000 yen, well worth it for the indepth silk experience the Komagane Silk Museum provides.

KOMAGANE SILK MUSEUM

A working museum featuring a wide range of sericulture activities from silk-reeling history to the latest silkworm research.

1F EXHIBITION ROOM

*Restored Seri Culturist's Farm House (dates back to 1920-1940)

*History of Silk
Explains the origin of sericulture and fabric making in China from 420-479AC, as well as silk making developments in Japan during the Edo era. Includes ukiyoe woodblock prints circa 1600 depicting various scenes of silk making.

*Japanese Silk Manufacturers Trademark Emblems
From the era when Japan was the world's largest silk exporter.

*Sericulture in Developing Countries (Nepal, India, Brazil, China, etc.)
Maps and videos of the history of the Silk Road across Asia, as well as Japan's own silk road from the Ina Valley to the port of Yokohama.

*Sericulture at the Imperial Household
Her Majesty the Empress Michiko working with silk making.

*History of Local Silk Manufacturing Unions
The Ryusuisha and Kamiinasha silk reeling unions, with actual automatic silk reeling machines, seriplan testing utensils, etc.)

*Silk Making Equipment
Various tools and utensils used in the silk making process.

*Characteristics of Silk
Explanation about the properties and structure of silk as well as its use in clothes (e.g. silk stockings).

*Uses of Silk
Domestic silk products, "Ina Tsumugi" - the local style of silk weaving, silk used in traditional clothing from around the world, etc.

*Alternative Uses of Silk
Handmade cocoon dolls, artificial flowers and more.

*Silkworm Lifecycle
Visual aids to explain the incredible growth stages (30-times the original size!) of the silk worm. Includes a rotating model of the silkworm's inner structure, microscopic views of silkworm tissues, and cocoon samples from different varieties of silkworms.

*Silkworm Growing Lab
Actual silkworms being raised for study and cocoon making.

*Mini Theater
Video presentations on the lifecycle of silkworms as well as the biotechnology and uses of silk.

*Special Exhibit Room
Silk-related special exhibits are held throughout the year. Since the opening of the museum, several dozens of exhibits have been held over the years, with reference books issued in conjunction with the exhibitions.

1F WORKSHOP
Visitors can try their hand at a variety of silk-related activities, including:
Cocoon Craft
Loom Weaving
Dyeing
Activities can be enjoyed by children as well as adults. They can take anywhere from 30 minutes for making a small doll out of cocoons or weaving a drink coaster, to thorough lessons on more elaborate silk creations.

2F SHOPS & RESTAURANTS
Farmers Market, Museum Shop, All-you-can-eat lunch buffet restaurant "NANA-chan".

駒ヶ根シルクミュージアム Komagane Silk Museum

去年までは松本市ゲストハウス（バックパッカー用の相部屋宿泊施設）は1軒だけでした。

今は5件もある！

その内の話題の松本BackPackersに顔を出してきました。BrianさんとShukoさんの努力を見て、感心しました。

以前に紹介させて頂いた長野市の1166 backpackersや須坂市のゲストハウスKURAをやはり仲間で、保健所との申請とかいろいろでお互いに支えているそうです。

ゲストハウスは最近に増えてきている。安売り現象という正直な心配がありながら、最低限の予算で旅しているバックパッカー達は主流の宿泊施設にあまり泊まらない。従って、私ども旅館には悪い（=安売り）影響はあまりない。逆に、ゲストハウスがある事によって客層が増える。尚且つ、空き家や建物の活動にもなるし、バックパッカー達が当地の生活の体験ができるし、メリットは多いのではないかと思いました。

信州でゲストハウスが増えて、その分でバックパッカーも増えて、信州ファンもきっと増えると思います！

Last year, Matsumoto City had only 1 guesthouse for backpackers. This year, there are 5! I paid a visit at one new one that is gaining a lot of local recognition, Matsumoto Backpackers.

The owners, Brian-san and Shuko-san, quit their jobs and are putting 100% of their effort into running 'Moto BP. And that effort shows, with attention to detail in the conveniences they provide to their guests as well as giving as much of an authentic Japanese experience as possible.

In past entries, I have featured Nagano City's 1166 backpackers and Guesthouse KURA in Suzaka City. They are all associates of Brian and Shuko and advise each other on the process of registering their lodging establishments with the Board of Health and other areas of running a guesthouse.

With this increase of low-priced lodging, there is sure to be a backlash amongst the established inns and hotels afraid of downward pressure on prices. But guesthouses tend to attract budget travelers who wouldn't otherwise stay in 'normally' priced places. Plus they make good use of otherwise empty storefronts and houses so less impact on the environment. Guests also get to experience more of a typical, non-tourist lifestyle at these places, too. So the recent surge in the number of guesthouses has a lot of benefits.

Hopefully the likes of Matsumoto BackPackers will increase the range of visitors to Nagano, and thus increase the number of fans of this great prefecture!

松本Matsumoto BackPackers

先日は世界遺産を見ました。中央アルプスの駒ヶ岳ロープウィーに乗って、千畳敷カールから南アルプスの上に出ていました。もう、「富士山」と言わなくなった。「世界遺産」と呼ぶようになった。

富士山が世界遺産に選ばれてから更に注目されるようになり、色んな所で記念イベントや展示が行われている。

その一つは長野市の北野カルチャーセンターです。9月28日までは日本画家の富士山の絵を展示している。日本人に最も関心深い山は当然、日本画家にも愛されて、絵の主人子になります。

Japan's Mount Fuji was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site on June 22, 2013. Already deeply infused into the hearts and minds of the Japanese people, this new designation means an even more hightened awareness of the mountain. This has resulted in numerous Fuji-themed promotions throughout the country this summer.

One such event is a temporary exhibit at Nagano City's Kitano Cultural Center of paintings of Mount Fuji by Japan's greatest artists. The show runs through September 28th. So on your trip to Nagano City to see the esteemed Zenkoji Temple, you can get your World Heritage fix, too!

北野カルチャーセンター・富士山の絵

先日の聖湖への出掛のついでに同じ麻績村のシェーンガルテンおみでお風呂を頂きました。

シェーンガルテンおみはホテルの建物が大きい割りにお風呂が意外に狭かった。しかし、露天風呂から眺める北アルプスは絶景です。近くの大岡温泉も北アルプスの眺めで有名ですが、ここはまた違った角度で感動的。湯質について、沸かし湯だし循環だし、あまり期待しない方が良いですが、シェーンガルテンおみの一番の魅力はその庭です。

「シェーンガルテン」はドイツ語で「美しい庭」だそうです。私達がお風呂から上がってからその庭を散策しました。
「虹のガーデン」
「花色の庭」
「パステル色の丘」
「雪山色の道」
「トルコ石色の池」
など、７エリアからなるドイツ庭園となっている。

庭の写真を撮るのが好きな私にはガーデンメッカです。

そんな庭を散策し、ついでにアルプスを眺める露天風呂に入りたい方にお勧め！

After our recent trip to Hijiri Lake, we stopped at the nearby Schongarten Omi for a soak in their onsen bath.

For quite a large hotel, the bath was surprisingly small. But the outdoor bath had an impressive view of the Northern Alps. The bath at Ooka Onsen has a similar view but from a slightly different angle, so it was a treat to see this one, too. Schongarten Omi's onsen water is not very special, but that's okay because the real claim-to-fame here is the German stroll garden on the hotel's grounds.

After our bath, our family took a walk on the paths through the "Beautiful Garden" (the meaning of the German name). It is divided into 7 areas, such as

Rainbow Garden,
Garden of Colorful Flowers,
Pastel Color Hill,
White-capped Mountainview Lane,
Turquoise-blue Pond

I personally love taking landscape photographs in gardens, and really enjoyed how this one was laid out.

So if you're in the mood for a stroll through a beautiful German-style garden to go with your soak in an onsen bath with a view of the Japanese Alps, then Schongarten Omi is for you!

シェーンガルテンおみSchongarten Omi

聖湖の側にある聖博物館は去年に改造されました。
それまでは博物館実態が博物館だったって年数を感じられたところ。
去年の改造で更新された展示は新鮮に感じて、博物館らしいスペースとなりました。
現在の主の展示は：
＊信濃三十三漢音礼所めぐり
＊麻績宿及び善光寺街道
＊シルク造り　←臨時展示

それぞれの内容は今まで他の歴史観・博物館であった展示より詳しいかと思いますが、私には興味深い内容ばかりでもっと詳しい説明が欲しかったな。受付のおばさんは細かい事が知らなかったし、英語の文章は当然なかったし、
以前よりは百倍ぐらい良い博物館となったが、一般の観光客にお勧めが出来るかどうかという疑問が残っています。もちろん、信濃三十三漢音礼所めぐりや麻績宿及び善光寺街道に興味があれば行くべきですが、一般の方は興味があるのかな？

聖博物館 Hijiri Museum

私達家族の気に入り夏のお出かけ：

車で聖湖まで（亀清旅館から県道77号・国道403号で約30分）

レストラン聖レークサイド館で昼食（湖を眺めながらスパゲティーや豚カツ）

アヒルの漕げるペダルボートに乗って、湖を一周する。

三峰山のリフトに乗って、スライダーで下る。

聖湖は標高1000mで370mの戸倉上山田温泉より温度は大体5堂ぐらい低い。尚且つ、夏休みの最中でも混まない穴場的な場所。

この夏は暑さから逃げて、
渋滞から逃げて、
聖高原で一緒に遊ぼう♪

Our family's favorite summer get-a-way: Hijiri Lake.

We drive up from our onsen town Togura-Kamiyamada (approx. 30 minutes),
Have lunch at the Lakeside Restaurant (spaghetti and tonkatsu while enjoying thea view of the lake),
Then go for a ride around the lake in the duck pedal boats,
And move over to the other side of the lake to take the chairlift up to the top of Mitsumine Mtn. and ride the "Slider" toboggan sleds down.

Hijiri Lake's elevation is approximately 1000 meters, quite a bit higher than Togura Kamiyamada's 370 meters. So the temperature is always a few degrees cooler than down here. And even in the middle of the summer, Hijiri Lake is far enough off the beaten path to not get crowded.

So this summer,
Escape the heat from down below,
Escape the crowds of the city,
and come play at Hijiri Lake with us!

聖湖 Hijiri Lake

穴場的な所の全てが良しに限られていない事が分かりました。先日の駒ヶ根旅の帰りで辰野町を通っていたら「日本中心のゼロポイント」という看板を見た。興味津々でその細い道に入って、更に細い林道を通って、更に細い凸凹の林道で山の中に入って、今度は歩きで更に細い1.1kmの道を長男と走って（息子はトレールランニングが好きとの事で）、

やっと辿り着きました、ゼロポイントに。

結局、北緯36度と東経138度が０分００秒で交差する「ゼロポイント」だけでした。高さ2mの標柱とちょっとした台があったぐらい。眺めが綺麗って訳でもなく、ただ森の中の標柱。よっぽど緯3と経が好きじゃない限りで行かなくても良い穴場です。

まあ、信州の魅力的な穴場を一生懸命探している私には偶にこういう失敗例もあります。

I have to admit, I am a sucker for off-the-beaten-track places. On our way back from our family's trip to Komagane, we passed through Tatsuno Town and saw a sign for the "Center of Japan Zero Point". Curiosity got the better of me, so we took off on the narrow road the sign pointed to. It lead to an even narrower forest road, which connected to an even narrower dirt track. From the end of the road, our oldest son Andy and I jogged down the 1.1m hiking trail and finally reached:

a sign post that marks the location where East Longitude 138 and North Latitude 36 intersect.

Unless you are really, really interested in longitude and latitude, I highly suggest giving this particular off-the-beaten-path location a pass.

辰野町のゼロポイント Tatsuno Town's Zero Point