One of the
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).
Apricot Trees in Mori already in full bloom
The shuttle bus from Togura-Kamiyamada to Mori
