Fragrant Acacia Flowers
戸倉駅から亀清まで歩いてきたお客様に「千曲川を渡ったときに、とってもいい香りしましたが、どこから着たでしょうか？白い花が沢山あったが、その花から？」と聞かれました。自分で見に行きましたら、吃驚しました。川辺のアカシアの木が伸びて、アカシアの白い花が沢山あった。
今日は夕方に子供たちが学校から帰ってきて、軽トラで川辺へ連れて行きました。我が旅館からたった3，4分でこういうアカシアの花王国に行けて、楽しかった。子供たちも大喜び。川と山で恵まれている戸倉上山田温泉だからこそ出来る楽しみです。
花を少しもらって、亀清にもって帰りました。一部は板長に渡しました。今度はお客様にアカシア花の天ぷらを作ってくれるそうです。残りの花は女湯の露天風呂になんちゃった生け花で飾りました。2，3日しか持たないだろうけど、その間はお客様に楽しんでいただけるかな？
A couple of our guests walked to Kamesei from Togura Station. They asked me, "When we crossed over the Chikuma River, there was a lovely scent in the air. Was it coming from all of those white flowers?" Hmm. What flowers? I went to go check it out, and was surprised to see that the acacia trees along the river bank had grown and where covered in white flowers. Ah ha! That's where the scent is coming from.
After our kids got home from school, I piled them in our "K-Truck" mini pick-up and we went for a drive down to the river bank. It was amazing that a short 3,4 minute drive could take us to such an acacia flower paradise. The kids loved it! This type of fun can only be possible in a place like Togura Kamiyamada Onsen, blessed as it is by the river running down the middle and surrounded by all the green mountains.
I brought a few branches with flowers back to Kamesei. Our chef will use some to make acacia flower tempura for our guests. And I used the rest to make some sort of ikebana arrangement for one of our outdoor baths. Acacia flowers don't keep long, but hopefully our guests will be able to enjoy them for a couple of days.
Acacia Trees with Togura Kamiyamada Onsen across the river
