お客さんと一緒に渡り廊下を渡っていた途中で、お客さんが「その花は絵みたい！」と。中庭のピンクの牡丹と城壁のコントラストは目が喜ばれる絵になっていました。
春は花の時期なので亀清旅館の玄関、中庭、所々の坪庭、露天風呂の庭、離れ風の客室の庭、それぞれの庭は絵になっています。冬の雪景色、夏の深い緑色、秋のもみじやイチョウの赤と黄色、それぞれの四季は魅力があるけど、春の新緑と花の亀清が一番良いかな？

While crossing the "watari-roka" passageway with a guest, the guest stopped and commented, "That flower is like a painting!" She was referring to the pink peonies contrasting with the white wall here in Kamesei Ryokan's naka-niwa garden. It did indeed look like a painting. A pleasure for the eyes.
The various gardens here at Kamesei, at the entrance, the naka-niwa central garden with its koi pond, the tsubo-niwa pocket gardens, the garden around our outdoor bath, as well as the private gardens for the detached rooms are all coming alive in color, all like individual paintings. This is perhaps Kamesei's most beautiful season.

このにぎやかなゴールデンウィークで今日のお昼はちょっと時間があったから子供たちを連れて、上山田のりんご農園に行きました。春風が顔に当たりながら、りんごの花を楽しみました。

実は、その宮下農園さんから紅玉の木を頂く事になっています。去年は宮下さん達の為に看板を作ってあげました。その代わりじゃないけど、亀清の「紅玉」と言うテーマで改造している客室の為に紅玉の木は一本、作ってくれました。今日はその下見を合わせて、りんごの花見してきました。

リンゴの花とは言え、太陽の光に春の風と言え、久しぶりのリンゴ畑は気持ちよかった！

Despite this being our busy season with the Golden Week Holiday, we had a couple of hours free this afternoon, so I took the kids out for lunch and a short drive to one of our apple orchards here in Kamiyamada. The pretty flowers combined with the fresh spring air made for a pleasant experience.

Actually, I had an ulterior motive for going to the orchard. Last year I had made a new sign for one of the growers, Miyashita Orchard. In return, they grafted a kogyoku apple tree start for us. We are renovating one of our guestrooms around a kogyoku theme, in honor of this local heirloom variety apple. I wanted to get an idea of how much room we'll need in the garden for this start.

The combination of apple blossoms, fresh spring air and sunlight made for a refreshing trip to the apple orchard!

杏の花

それから桜

今度は真ッピンクの桃の花。

長野市の川中島地区は桃の産地で有名です。今日、車で通ったら、あちらこちらにピンクの花が咲いていて、綺麗でした。雨の日で空が曇っていて、暗い日の中で桃の花がなお明るく見えました。

First the apricot blossoms.

Then the cherry trees.

Now the peach trees are in bloom, with their bright pink flowers.

Nagano's Kawanakajima district is a major peach growing area. Today I drove through it and was treated to a colorful show of pink blossoms. It was a rainy, grey day so the pink flowers showed up even more brilliantly than normal.

このごろは花を見回っているお客さんが多いです。最近までは森「杏の里」のあんずまつり関係でしたが、最近は桜関係です。桜と言えば、亀清の裏の中央公園や、戸倉駅の上の天狗公園、上田城など桜の木が沢山ある所のファンが多いです。しかし、その中で「一本桜」ファンが増えてきました。

一本桜って、南信州が有名だそうです。実は、長野県の公式外国語観光ＨＰの英語訳は私の訳です。その作業をした時に、南信の一本桜の文章がありました。翻訳した時に、「桜の木は一本だけって、何が面白いだろう？」と疑問に思っていました。その楽しみ方が分からなかった。

そして、先日に泊まったお客様、小森谷さんがこの千曲市の近辺の「一本桜」を見てきたと言っていました。その場所を教えて頂きました。日曜日はちょっと時間を取れましたので、我が子供たちを連れて1つのすすめてくれた木を見に行きました：松代の明徳寺のシダレ桜。何百年の歴史な木で立派でした。感動しました。

小森谷さんによると、こういう「一本桜」の由来は大体3タイプがあるそうです。一つは私達が見に行った木のように、お寺さんにあるタイプ。お寺さんに棒地がよくあるので、先祖は毎年に花が飾る為に植えられたという説。もう一つは畑や田んぼに一本が植えたあるタイプ。桜が咲く時期は田植えを準備する時期を示してくれると言う説。最後は有名な侍が峠を越えた時に植えて、その後に通る度に休憩して、馬をその木に結ぶと言うちょっと妖しい説もある。

と言う事で、小森谷さんのおすすめの北信・東信の一本桜はご紹介いたします：

長野市・須坂市　戸倉上山田の桜より6～7日送れ（2010年は4月18日がベスト）
＊明徳寺のシダレ桜　松代（県道35号）
＊延命寺のシダレ桜　保科小学校の手前の道に入る　（県道34号）
＊蓮大事のシダレ桜　大室　（北野美術館の近く）
＊弁天様のシダレ桜　須坂　（米子不動里宮の下）

高山村　戸倉上山田温泉の桜より10日遅い
＊水中シダレ桜　（県道54号）
＊黒部のエドヒガン桜　（一茶ゆかりの里近辺）
＊坪井のシダレ桜　（中野市へ行く途中の県道54号）

塩田平・立科町　戸倉上山田の桜より6～7日送れ
＊大円寺のシダレ桜　塩田平（県道65号）
＊無量寺のシダレ桜　立科・茂田井間の宿（国道142号）
＊長久保のシダレ桜　長和町松尾神社近辺　（国道142号）
＊福王寺のシダレ桜　佐久市
＊五本木の咲き分け桜　佐久市・道の駅ほっとぱ～く浅科（国道142号）

This time of year, many of our guests stay here at Kamesei Ryokan as they drive around Nagano enjoying the flowering trees. First the apricot blossoms in nearby Mori's "Apricot Village", and lately, the cherry blossoms. Most come to see the cherry trees at Ueda Castle, or our local spots such as the Tengu Park above Togura Station, or even Chuo Park behind our inn here in Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. However, lately, a few guest mentioned they are on crusades to see "Ippon sakura", or singular cherry trees.

When I did the translating work for Nagano Prefecture's official foreign language tourism site, there was a passage on these singular cherry trees in southern Nagano:
http://www.go-nagano.net/modules/contents07/index.php?id=1&mode=disdetailsisetu&cityid=5&junleid=1&indexid=7&kubuncode=1
To be honest, while writing the description in English, I was wondering what the attraction would be in seeing just one, individual tree blooming.

One of our guests, Komoriya-san, gave me a list of "Ippon sakura" in northern and eastern Nagano. I had a bit of extra time on Sunday, so I took our kids to check out one of them in Matsushiro, the weeping willow type sakura tree at Myotoku-ji temple. Seeing the hundreds-of-years old tree made me understand the majesty of the blossoms on such an ancient tree.

Komoriyama-san explained the 3 main reasons for "Ippon Sakura". One is that many are located at a temple. More specifically, by the graveyard of a temple. People plant them so their ancestors can enjoy the annual cherry blossom show. Another is that the trees are located in the middle of a rice field area. The blossoms come on around the same time as the fields need to be prepared for planting. So farmers judge the rice planting timing around when the tree's flowers bloom. Finally (and this one is a bit harder to believe), some famous samurai plant trees when they cross over a mountain pass. Then whenever they go over the pass again, they can tie their horses up to the tree. Hmmm.

Anyways, here is Komoriyama-san's list of suggested "Ippon Sakura" in Northern and Eastern Nagano:

Nagano City / Suzaka
(trees bloom 6-7 days later than Togura Kamiyamada. 2010's peak should be 18-April)
*Myotoku-ji's shidare (Matsushiro, Pref. Rt. 35)
*Enmei-ji's shidare (Pref. Rt. 34 before Hoshina Elem. School)
*Endai-ji's shidare (Omuro)
*Benten-sama's shidare (Suzaka, below Yonago Fudo Shrine)

Takayama Village (10 days later than Togura Kamiyamada)
*Mizunaka's shidare (Pref. Rt. 54 in town)
*Kurobe's edohigan (near the Issa Hall in town)
*Tsuboi's shidare (Pref. Rt. 54 on the way to Nakano)

Ueda/Tateshina/Saku (6-7 days later than Togura Kamiyamada)
*Daien-ji's shidare (Ueda's Shioda Plain, Pref. Rt. 65)
*Nagahisaho's shidare (Nagawa Town, Matsuo Shrine)
*Muryou-ji's shidare (Saku City, Motoima Post Town, Rt. 142)
*Fukuo-ji's shidare (Saku City, south of above)
*Gohongi's sakiwake (Saku City, Hot Park Asashina Rest Area, Rt. 142)

NOTE ON SAKURA TYPES
Shidare: Prunus pendula f. pendula
Edo Higan: Prunus pendula
Sakiwake: ??? (pinkish and white blossoms on the same tree?)

今朝、起きたら外が真っ白で吃驚しました。桜が咲いているのに、雪？40年ぶりだそうです。
長野マラソンに走る為にシンガポールから来たお客さんが困っていました。暖かい国から来て、可愛いそうでした。
暖かい国でいえば、沖縄からのお客様の週末にいました。雪は生まれてから初めてだと言っていました。そして、亀清の風呂場に湯たんぽはお客様用で置いてあります。不思議に見ていました。信州の冬に湯たんぽは便利ですが、沖縄に必要がないよね。
When I woke up this morning, I was shocked to see everything outside was white. Even though the cherry blossoms are out, it snowed! Apparently this was the first time in 40 years for that to happen. We had some guests from Singapore here to run in the Nagano Marathon. Coming from a warm country, they weren't used to the cold temperatures.
Speaking of warm countries, we had some other guests from Okinawa. It was the first time in their lives to see snow. One other thing they were surprised with was the "yutanpo" bottles we provide for our guests. You fill them up with hot onsen water, and stick them in your futon at night to keep your feet warm. Here in Nagano's winter, they come in handy, but apparently you don't need them in Okinawa!

信州の冬は長いです。寒い日々永遠に続くような感じ。でも、我慢すれば、杏そして桜の花が見えて、我慢する価値があったように思われる。昨日は常連のお客さんを戸倉駅に連れて行った途中で、駅の上の天狗公園によった。千曲市の桜の花見スポットの1つ。前日の雨のお陰で、空気が澄んでいて、遠い北アルプスは綺麗に見えた。青空と桜の花との合わせを見て、この為に冬を我慢したと思った。

千曲市の森「杏の里」の上の方はまだ咲いていて、そして今度は桜も咲いてきました。亀清旅館の裏の中央公園の桜は夜にライトアップされるし、戸倉駅の上の天狗公園の桜も見事だ。今は信州に来るとして、いいタイミング！

Nagano's winters are long and cold. But enduring those cold days is worth it when the apricot and cherry trees start to bloom in the spring. Yesterday, on the way to taking one of our regular guests back to Togura Station, we stopped to see the cherry blossoms at Tengu Park above the station. It was a perfect day, as the rains the previous night had cleared out the air, and you could see the snow-capped Japanese Alps in the distance. Seeing the beautiful mountains along with the blue sky and pretty cherry blossoms made surviving the winter worthwhile.

Chikuma City's famous apricot blossoms in Mori "Apricot Vilage" are on their way out, replaced by cherry blossom in various areas throughout the town. The cherry trees in Chuo Park behind our inn here at Kamesei are lit up at night, and the cherry trees in Tengu Park above Togura Station are spectacular, too. Now is the perfect time to come to Nagano.

千曲市の代表のイベント：森「杏の里」のあんずまつりに、若女将と二人でデートで行って来ました。花が綺麗に咲いていました。この週末、４月１０日・１１日は花のピークだと思います。今週末にどっかに花のドライブに行こうと思っていたら、森の杏がお勧めです。そして、ついでに亀清にも寄ってください。戸倉上山田温泉は森から車で約２０分です。

Chikuma City's signature event, the apricot blossoms in Mori "Apricot Village", is going strong. Today I took Mari for a drive to see the flowers, and they were in full bloom. This weekend, April 10th and 11th, should be perfect timing to see the blossoms in full glory. So if you were looking for somewhere to go and see spring flowers this weekend, I highly suggest Mori and the apricot blossoms. And if you go to Mori, be sure to stop by Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, too. We are only 20 minutes away by car.

千曲市の代表イベント、森「杏の里」のあんずまつりは4月2日から始まったけれど、花の方はどうですか？咲くのは間に合っていますでしょうか？３日に行ったお客さんは「まだまだ」とがっかりしました。5日の観光協会の情報で「2部」と言う報告になっていました。夕べは自分の目で見てきました。そして、結果は？

ばらばらですけど、綺麗！

まだまだつぼみだけの木が多い（特に、谷の上の方）けど、日当たりの良い所は満開に近い。つまり、見に行く価値がずいぶんあります。今日は天気が良いし（２０℃になる予想！）、花は段々と咲いてくるでしょう。森の農村の雰囲気はまた落ち着かせるし。そして、杏のアイスも忘れないでね。

今年から戸倉上山田温泉から朝8：50発の連結バスが走っていますので亀清旅館から交通便がとってもいいです。

是非、この機会で日本一杏の里を見においでやす。

あんずまつりは4月16日まで。詳しくは千曲市観光協会のＨＰへ。

Chikuma City's signature event, the Apricot Festival in Mori's "Apricot Village" officially started on April 2nd. But how about the apricot blossoms? Have they showed up on time for their own party? Some of our guests that went on the 2nd came back disappointed, saying that the trees weren't in bloom yet. However, our town's Tourism Association website said as of the 5th that the blossoms were at 20% (whatever that means!).

Last evening, I went to see with my own eyes how Mori's famous apricot trees were doing. And the result?

Mixed, but worth seeing!

The majority of the trees, especially in the upper reaches of the valley, were still just in bud stage. However, several of the trees, especially ones in sunnier spots, were already in full bloom. So I would say it is definitely worth seeing now. And with today's nice weather (the high temperature is predicted to be 63F), more and more of the trees will start to bloom.

For me, the real draw for Mori's apricot festival is the quiet, pastoral setting of the valley. It has a quaint, rural feel to it that is especially enhanced this time of year with the soft pink, delicate apricot blossoms. And, of course, don't miss the apricot ice cream!

New this year is a connector bus from Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, leaving every morning at 8:50am. So if you stay the night at Kamesei, you'll have easy access to the apricot blossoms the next day.

So don't pass up this chance to see Japan's largest number of apricot trees in bloom at Mori's "Apricot Village".

Mori's Apricot Festival will run through April 16th. Updated information on the Chikuma City Tourism Assoc. website (in Japanese only).

毎年のこの時期の楽しみは森「杏の里」の花です。そして、毎年のこの時期の悩みは、杏の花はいつ咲くか？今日、状況を見に行きました。まだつぼみの状態でした。これからの天気は物凄くアップ・ダウンですから、私が思うのにあんずまつりの予定、4月2日（金）～4月16日（金）で恐らく合っているかもしれません。

この「青い目の若旦那」ブログでなるべく花状況の知らせはしますが、詳しい事及びライブ映像は千曲市観光協会ＨＰにて。

Every year around this time, we get excited about the apricot blossoms in Mori "Apricot Village". We also get nervous about when exactly the flowers will bloom. Today I went to check out the progress in person -- the buds were starting to form. With the weather forecasted to be a little irregular -- warm, cold, warm, and cold again -- for the next week, I have a feeling the blossoms will be according to the official festival dates: 02-April thru 16-April. Will keep you posted here!　Also, Live Camera at the Chikuma City Tourism Assoc. website.

森「杏の里」は戸倉上山田温泉から車で約30分。又は、しなの鉄道屋代駅から臨時バスもあんずまつり期間中で出ています。
なお、今年は戸倉上山田温泉から屋代駅までの特別便もあります。午前8：50分発、片道500円となります。

Mori "Apricot Village" is approx. 30 minutes by car from Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. There are shuttle busses from Yashiro Station during the Festival period.
New this year is a special connector bus from Kamiyamada Onsen to Yashiro Station, departing 8:50am. 500 yen one way.

セツブンソウ。小さな白い花。中心に綺麗な紫と奇異色い部分。小さくて可愛いらしい花。そして、とっても珍しい花。

戸倉駅の上の天狗公園にセツブンソウの群があります。態々育つボランティア会があります。道を整備したり、いのししから祈ったりしています。そのお陰で、大々的に咲いています。ごついカメラを持って、一生懸命写真を撮るファンが毎年に多くなっています。

今日はうちの子供たちを連れて行ってみました。天気は晴れていましたが、空気がまだ冬のよう。車を取れて、軽トラ様な道は2～300メーターぐらい登ります。道はどろどろで靴がぐちゃぐちゃになっちゃったけど、子供たちは大喜び。セツブンソウのところはつい最近まで雪でかぶされたが、雪が解けて花は可愛く咲いていました。

子供たちはその花を見て、喜んでくれるかなと心配しましたが、息子達が先に着いたので、「ダダ、見て！」と嬉しそうな声で花を見せてくれました。美咲ちゃんも自分の目線の近くに可愛い花があって、喜んでいた。

戸倉駅の上の天狗の里のセツブンソウは3月21,22日の連休まで割き続く見込みなので機会があれば、是非行って見てください。

Setsubunsou is a tiny little wildflower with pretty white petals and a colorful yellow and purple center. Not only is it preciously cute and small, but it is a rare flower as well.

Above nearby Togura Station, there is a park that has a patch of setsubunsou. A volunteer group maintains a path and keeps the wildboars away, so camera enthusiasts and flower fans can come and take pictures and enjoy the pretty little flowers.

Today I took our kids to go see the Tengu Park setsubunsou. Although it was clear today, there was a definite winter chill in the air. The hillside where the flowers are was covered by snow even just a couple of days ago, but the snow was gone and the flowers were in bloom. After climbing the path a half mile or so (and getting nice and muddy in the process - the kids loved that!), we reached the spot. I was worried that the kids wouldn't appreciate the flowers, but our sons, who reached their first, greeted Misaki and I excitedly, "Daddy, look at the flowers!"

The Togura setsubunsou flowers are expected to continue blooming through the March 21st/ 22nd holiday weekend, so if you are in the area, come and check them out!