愛情付きの川中島桃 Kawanakajima Peaches, Grown with Love

August 8, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Grown with these hands.

このおじさんが親戚の北山さんです。長野市の川中島地区で農家さんです。川中島と言えば、桃が一番有名です。そして、今はちょうど桃のピークです。今年は北山さんが自分で育った桃をまた亀清旅館に持ってきてくれました。そのジューシーで美味しい事!北山さんと交渉しましたので我が宿の売店様で数カートンを持って来てくれました。この夏休みで、県外からのお客様が多いです。ジューシーで美味しい桃をお土産で買えて、喜んで頂いております。信州の旬のプレゼントになります。

(北山さんの育った桃は種類によりますが、3kgパックで1,000円~1,500円になります。)

This fella is Kitayama-san, a distant relative of ours. He hails from the Kawanakajima district of Nagano City, where he and his wife operate a fruit orchard. Around here, Kawanakajima is known for peaches, and right now is peak peach season. Kitayama-san brought a bunch of his peaches for us to eat. They were so juicy and delicious! We talked him into supplying us with a few boxes of peaches to offer for sale to our guests. With this being summer vacation time, we have a lot of guests visiting from Tokyo and other prefectures. The peaches have been a hit with the guests, many of whom have been looking for just the perfect seasonal "Nagano" gift to take back to their friends and family.

(3kg boxes of fresh Kawanakajima peaches are 1,000 ~ 1,500 yen depending on the variety.)



Mmmm! Juicy!


朝6:20のラジオ体操はこんなに人気? Are 6:20am radio exercises this popular?

August 5, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Andy and Kenny, you have 200 pairs of eyes watching you!

夏休みに入ったら、うちの息子たちは毎朝、6時20分に亀清旅館の裏の中央公園で集まって、温泉に住んでいる小学生の皆と一緒にラジオ体操をやっています。

(どうして夏休みなのにこんなに早く起きなきゃいけないのか?子供たちは可愛いそう!まあ、それは別として…)

今朝はいつも集まる数十人の上に、中学生は200人もいました。どこかの宿で部活の皆が泊まっています。いつもより賑やかでした。

私はいつもうちの宿に泊まるお客さんにも誘います。「朝は良かったら、ご一緒にラジオ体操に行きますか?地元の子供たちと交流ができるし」。しかし、朝6時20分だと言ったら、皆が断る。なかなか売りにくい体験ですね。

Ever since our kids' summer vacation started, they've been getting up at 6:20 in the morning to gather at the park behind Kamesei Ryokan with the other school kids living in the onsen to do the NHK Radio Exercises.

(Why the poor kids have to get up so early during their summer vacation is beyond me! There's no way you'd get kids in America to do this.)

This morning, in addition to the normal 20 or 30 local kids, there were 200 middle school kids, too. Apparently they are members of various athletic teams that are staying at one of the area inns.

I always try to invite our guests to go with us. They like the idea of mingling with the local school kids, but don't like the idea of getting up so early. I haven't managed to get any guests to go with us yet.





Annabelle Magic アンナベルの魅力

July 9, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Annabelle blossoms in one of the tsubo niwa pocket gardens

亀清旅館の庭師、岡田さんの作った坪庭はどちらかというと、アートです。それぞれの時期に違う魅力さな顔をしてくれるので、お客さんが既に楽しんで頂いております。

今は白い花が目立つアンナベルというアジサイが綺麗に咲いています。我が宿の庭はまだまだ直さなければならないところが沢山ありますが、100年風呂の庭を始め、この坪庭と去年作ってくれた2つの客室の庭という良いスタートができています。

これからも楽しみです。





まだちょっと酸っぱいけど、杏狩り楽しみ Still a bit Tart, but Fun Nonetheless -- Picking Apricots

June 27, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Andy picking Apricots

昨日は午後から雨の予想(鮎釣りの解禁なのに・・・ 釣りの皆さんがかわいいそうでした)だったので、午前中は子供達と一緒に自転車で出かけて、親戚の杏の木に行って杏狩りしました。まだ尼酸っぱいけど、一部は柔らかくて甘かった。とにかく、子供達に果実はスーパーで育っているのではなくて、太陽の下で木から出る事は認識させたかった。実際の杏の木へ行って、自分の手で取って、その場で食べてみるのは一番良いんだ。
この千曲市の森地区は杏で有名です。「あんずの里」とも呼ばれています。杏の木の本数は日本一だそうです。杏狩りはもちろん、そしてピック下杏は今度ジャム作りや缶詰の体験もできます。詳しくは千曲市観光協会のHPへ。

Yesterday the weatherman called for rain in the afternoon (despite it being the first day of ayu fishing season -- all those guys out there fishing on the Chikuma River probably felt lousy), so in the morning I grabbed the kids and we went for a short bike ride over to a couple of apricot trees that some relatives own. The fruit was still a bit tart, but there were a few that were soft and juicy. Besides, I think it's important that our kids understand that fruit doesn't grow on supermarket shelves, but out in the sun on trees. Going to an actual tree, picking the fruit yourself and eating it then and there -- that's the best way!
Here in Chikuma City, the Mori district is famous for apricots. Nicknamed the "Apricot Village", it supposedly has the most apricot trees in one spot of anywhere in Japan. That's the best place to go for U-Pick apricots. In addition, there are also places to can or make jam with the fruit that you pick. For more info, check out the Chikuma City Tourism Assoc. website (in Japanese only).




上山田のもう1つの宝物:サクランボウ Another Kamiyamada Treasure: Cherries

June 24, 2010: 季節 Seasons

上山田にサクランボウの農家があるって噂を前から聞いていました。最近にどこの農家か、わかりました。まさか私の上山田神楽保存会の仲間の渡島さんだと思いませんでした。昨日はシンガポールからの客さんを連れて、渡島さんの農場に行ってみました。サクランボウが沢山あって、びっくりしました!シンガポール人が喜んでいました。「シンガポールで桜の実の木はまず見えない。我々シンガポール人がこういう果実の農場を見るのが好きだ」と仰いました。すみませんけど、果実農場で喜ぶのはシンガポール人だけじゃないですよ。我々欧米人も大好きです。特に、サクランボウ!この上山田にもあるって、嬉しいです。
ただし、1つなバッドニュースがあります。渡島さんのサクランボウがこの頃人気になってきて、今年の分のサクランボウ狩りは既にキャンセル待ちになっています。来年の楽しみだね。
I had heard rumours that some farmer was growing cherries in Kamiyamada. Just recently I found out who -- my fellow okagura lion dance buddy Watashima-san. Yesterday I took some guests from Singapore to go see the cherry orchard. They were so excited to see the fruit on the trees. "In Singapore, we never get a chance to see this. We Singaporeans love to visit orchards." I hate to tell you, but it's not just Singaporeans -- we Americans love fruit trees, too. Especially cherry trees! I am so excited to find out about Watashima-san's orchard here in Kamiyamada!
However, one piece of bad news: Watashima-san's cherries are so popular, the U-Pick for this season is already booked out. So that just gives us something to look forward to next year.

渡島さんの農場の連絡先は下記です。場所はマップをご参照に。Watashima-san's Contact number is as below. Location is as per the map.




Cherries as far as the eye can see!


Under cover from the rain and inside netting from the birds


Orhcard Envy from Singapore


梅雨の始まりに梅雨らしい花 Flowers Greeting the Start of the Rainy Season

June 15, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Hydrangeas starting to bloom in our naka-niwa garden

梅雨が始まったら、不思議ぐらいな良いタイミングで亀清旅館の庭のアジサイが咲いてきました。自然の力はすごいですね。ツツジも咲いてきていますし、また町中が花の色でにぎやかになってきました。

With uncanny timing, the hydrangea in Kamesei Ryokan's gardens started to bloom yesterday, which was the official start of the "tsuyu" rainy season. The hydrangeas joined the azaleas which had started blooming a week ago. Now Togura Kamiyamada is awash in colors from all the hydrangea and azalea blossoms.



Azaleas at our entrance


今の花:薔薇と蓮  これからの楽しみ:杏狩りと千曲川鮎つり Roses and Lotus Flowers in Bloom; Apricot Picking and Chikuma River Ayu Fishing Coming Soon

June 10, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Last year's Sakaki Rose Fest

長野の楽しみは次から次へ続いています。戸倉上山田温泉の近辺で、隣の坂城町のバラまつりが6月20まで行います。6月の頭に千曲サイクリングクラブの皆さんと一緒に行きましたが、その時につぼみが多かった。今頃は花がちょうどピークだと思います。詳しいこと及び最新の写真はここ
北信で一番大きいバラ祭りは中野市です。この祭りも6月20まで続いています。
そして、この千曲市の八幡地区にある大雲寺は蓮の花で有名です。周辺の蓮が咲き始まっていますので大雲寺さんのもきっときれいでしょう。8月まで続きます。詳しくはここ

続いてはこれからの楽しみ。まずは千曲市の森地区の杏狩りです。4月の頭に森「杏の里」は花見でにぎやかでした。その同じ杏の里はこれから杏狩りで忙しくなります。4箇所の農園で6月23日から7月11日まで(予定)、一人800円で杏食べ放題+1kgお土産お持ち帰りで出来ます。杏ジャム作り体験などもあります。詳しくはこちら

最後になりますが、千曲市といえば、千曲川;千曲川と言えば鮎つり。今年の解禁は6月26日(土)午前5時です。鮎塩焼きは楽しみに!漁業組合のHPはこちら

戸倉上山田温泉の6月はイベントが沢山あります。ぜひ、遊びにおいで!

All kinds of fun events are happening in Nagano in June. Flowers are in bloom all over, notably roses and lotus flowers. Neighboring Sakaki Town is holding its Rose Festival through June 20th. I went with the Chikuma Cycling Club earlier in June, and the flowers were just starting to bloom. So now should be perfect timing.
Lotus flowers are just starting to bloom now around town. Daiunji Temple in Chikuma City's Yawata district is probably the most famous spot for lotus flowers in the area. The blooms should continue through August.

A couple of upcoming events are apricot picking in nearby Mori "Apricot Village". For 800 yen, you can pick and eat all you want, and take home a 1kg bag of apricots to enjoy later. There are also apricot jam making and canning lessons going on, too.

And finally, here in Chikuma Ciy, for our namesake Chikuma River, ayu fishing is a major deal. This year's season will open on Saturday 26-June at 5am. I'm already looking forward to eating salt-rubbed fresh grilled ayu.

For information on flowers, apricots, fishing and more, feel free to contact us here at Kamesei Ryokan.

信州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.



Juicy Apricots


田植え後の日の入り絵 Picture-Perfect Sunset after the rice planting

June 8, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Rice field reflecting the sunset and Kamuriki Mtn.

田植えの作業は大変ですが、私はその終わった後の苗の模様が好きです。苗と田んぼの合わせが絵のようになると思います。先週あたりは戸倉上山田温泉の周辺の田んぼの田植えが終わって、どこを見ても綺麗な田んぼが見れます。私の好きな時期です。

夕べは日の入りのお陰で特に綺麗な絵になっていて、この写真を撮りました。温泉から車で5分の所です。手前はお水がはらってある田んぼに模様になっている苗、奥が温泉のネオンと冠着山(別名「姨捨山」)、そして田んぼの水で山と空が反射していて、こういうために長野にかましたと思いました。

Planting the rice fields is a lot of work, but I love the look of the fields once the planting is finished. The patterns of the rice seedlings in the surface of the water-filled paddies makes for such a beautiful, natural design. The rice fields in the vicinity of Togura Kamiyamada were planted last weekend, so everywhere you turn you can see the beautiful scenery of the newly planted fields. There is something so relaxing and peaceful about seeing the graceful lines of rice seedlings gently blowing in the wind.

Last night, I was treated to an extra special site as the sunset added a dynamic colorful element to the picture. This location is about 5 minutes south of our onsen town. Kamurikiyama Mountain and the neon of our town is reflected in the surface of rice paddy, along with the beautiful colors of the sunset. Upon seeing this, I thought to myself, this is another reason I came to Nagano.





雨の日だからこそ、花が綺麗 Flowers seem even prettier in the rain

May 23, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Lavendar blossoms at Kamesei's entrance

今年の梅雨が早く来たような感じです。今日は一日雨だし、これからもずっと雨の予想です。
雨の多いシアトルから来た私には、逆に落ち着きます。晴れている日の強い太陽の光より、雨の日のやわらかい光の方で、庭の花が綺麗です。亀清旅館は玄関にも、中庭にもそれぞれの坪庭や客室の庭に雨だからこそ綺麗に見える花が沢山あります。目立たないかもしれませんが、ゆっくり見れば楽しめる。
まあ、旅館はゆっくりする為の所なので、雨の日でも上山田の温泉らしいお湯に入って、Chef武井の手をかけたを料理も召し上がって、そして庭の花をゆっくり見て楽しめる所です。

It's been raining all day today, and the weather forecast shows rain, rain and more rain for the foreseeable future. Japan's official "rainy season" has yet to start, but if you ask me, it's already here.
Coming from rainy Seattle, I actually find rainy days like this to be relaxing. On a clear day, the sunlight can be too harsh, while on rainy days like this, the softer colors of the flowers in the garden really come alive.
Here at Kamesei Ryokan, we have gardens at our entrance, around the central koi pond, pocket gardens here and there, as well as private gardens for many of our guestrooms. Throughout these, there are so many lovely flowers in bloom now. They may not stand out as much, but if you take the time to enjoy them their soft, muted colors will delight.
And an onsen ryokan is the perfect place to slow down and take time to appreciate the garden, as well as to soak in the onsen baths and enjoy our chef's gourmet meals.



Purple Flowers in Chitose's Pocket Garden


新緑の姨捨山 Obasute Mountain with Spring Green

May 16, 2010: 季節 Seasons

Obasute Mountain with New Spring Growth

このブログを書いている中で、楽しい部分の一つはネタ探しです。海外に住むと、毎日が刺激のようです。お客様に良く「慣れましたか?」と聞かれますが、慣れたくないです。と言うのは、その毎日の刺激がある事に寄って、毎日が新鮮で楽しいです。そして、その刺激がこのブログを通じて、形になってくる訳です。
今日は良い例です。お客様の送迎で姨捨駅へ行ってきました。慣れちゃったら、周りを多分見ないでしょう。ただ、運転するだけ。でも、慣れないようにしている私は運転しながら、既に周りを見ています。姨捨の棚田を見て「あっ、田植えの為に水が払ってある田んぼがまた増えましたね」とか、善光寺平の向こうにある高妻山を見て、「雪がまだまだ残っているな」とか、今日は特に感動したのはこの写真のように千曲市の代表の山、冠着山(別名:姨捨山)でした。冬の雪景色が終わって、春先の所々の白い山桜の景色も終わって、落葉樹の新緑と一年中濃い緑色の松の色合いがきれいの模様になっていました。その美しさを見て、ほっとしました。(まあ、運転中でしたからほっとし過ぎて事故になったら困るけどね・・・)
この様に私にとって新鮮な感動をこのブログで通じて、皆様に自然で恵まれている信州にお越しになる興味を引くと良いですね。

One thing I like about writing this blog is it keeps me aware of new things to write about in my surroundings here. Oftentimes, our guests at our inn ask me if I have become accustomed to life in Nagano. I actually am trying NOT to become too accustomed. Living in a foreign country often means having new experiences every day, making every day fun and exciting. If I got used to living here, I'd lose that sense of freshness.
Today was a perfect example. I had to take a guest up to Obasute Station. On the way, rather than just simply driving, I enjoyed the scenery. Looking at the Obasute terraced rice fields, I noticed that more of the paddies are filled with water in preparation for planting. Looking across the Zenkoji Plain, I saw that far off Takatsuma Mountain still is covered in snow. And what impressed me the most was our local mountain, Kamuriki (aka: Obasute Mountain of the legend about old people being thrown away). It's snow is gone, and it's early spring patches of white from mountain cherry trees are gone; now the deciduous trees are flush with their new growth leaves. The light green color of the new leaves makes for a beautiful contrast with the dark green color of the pine trees, creating a beautiful pattern of light and dark green across the mountain.

It is my hope that by sharing such inspirations, it will pique the interest of everyone to come and visit Nagano to see the beautiful natural scenery themselves!