西沢貯金箱館の夏展示：　キャラクター　　Nishizawa Piggy Bank's Summer Display: Characters

June 2, 2011: その他 Miscellaneous
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Characters galore -- and all piggy banks!

戸倉上山田温泉にある西沢貯金箱館の８月３１日までの展示会はキャラクターの貯金箱です。館内を見させて頂きましたが、キャラクターの展示会として面白いし、全部が貯金箱だという事を考えれば、凄いです。

とにかく、西沢さんは本当にこれだけのキャラクターをよく揃いました。私にはなじみやすいスター・ウォーズやスタートレックとか、子供のころに見ていたアニメのフリントストーンズやスピーディー・ゴンザレス。日本のンキャラクターももちろんたっぷり展示してあります：明治時代からの土びなのからバルトン星人まで。

大人も子供大喜び。

なおかつ、全部は貯金箱ですよ。驚きます。

一個一個は説明がちゃんとついていますし、展示がうんと上手です。この夏は是非、西沢貯金箱館を楽しんでください。

The Nishizawa Piggy Bank Museum here in Togura Kamiyamada Onsen is displaying a wide assortment of popular character-based piggy banks now through August 31st. I had the chance to view the display, and was pleasantly surprised at how fun it was to see all the characters.

Some of the piggy banks were of characters near and dear to my heart, like Star Wars and Star Trek as well as some cartoon characters I enjoyed as a kid: the Flintstones, Speedy Gonzales and so many more. Then there are the hundreds of Japanese-based characters. Everything from clay piggy banks dating back to the Meiji era to ones of space alien Baruton, Ultraman's traditional foe. And that's not to mention all of the 'cute' characters Japan is so famous for.

And each one is labeled with detailed information and displayed in a very professional style.

Just enjoying the characters as characters is fun, but it's amazing to think that each and every one is a piggy bank.

This summer, come and enjoy Japan's fascination with characters through piggy banks!

西沢貯金箱館のＨＰはこちら Click here for Nishizawa Piggy Bank Museum's website.





芸術家から見る日本旅館 An Artist's View of Japanese Ryokans

June 1, 2011: 亀清旅館 Kamesei Ryokan
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One of Agnes-san's artistic creations

芸術家と温泉。

温泉と芸術家。

つながりはあるかな？つながりを作れるかな?

まだまだ計画中ですが、戸倉上山田温泉と地元の芸術家と連携する案があります。その関係で、今朝は上山田温泉に住んでいる芸術家ご夫婦の若林文夫さん（版画家）とハンガリー人のＡｇｎｅｓさん（陶芸家）の家にお邪魔して、お茶をしました。

お二人、特に文夫さんはこの戸倉上山田温泉との付き合いが長いです。芸術家から見る「温泉」とは、色々と聞かせて頂きました。文夫さんの発言が特に耳に残っています：

「旅館」と「ビジネスホテル」の違いは何?
ホテルはただの箱。
旅館は床の間にオブジェが置いてあって、掛け軸が掛けてある；つまり、「文化」がある。

亀清旅館もそうですが、宿の所々に絵が掛けてあり、芸術的な置物が飾ってある。様々なものがあります。刀師の人間国宝宮入さん書画から私の母親が作ったキルトまで。しかし、良くある事はお客様に「これは何?」と聞かれたら、「分からない；女将社長に聞いてみなきゃ」となった。

それと比較したら、私がものすごく憧れている北信湯田中温泉の「よろづや」。一度、館内ツアーに参加させて頂きました。「これは何?」と聞いたら、「それは明治時代の誰々が作った。ここと京都の何処々の一流美術館にしかない」と。

「えっ、ここに何の説明も無し、ただ普通に置いてある物が、美術館にあっても良い物？！」と聞いたら、「まあ、分かる人は分かって頂いて、分からない人は分からなくても良い」との答え。

まあ、亀清旅館はこのごろ、それなりにストーリのある文化を少しずつ取り入れています。その中で、せっかく地元で立派な芸術家がいらっしゃるから、どんどんと連携を取って行きたいと思っています。

Artists and Onsen.

Onsen and Artists.

Is there a connection? Is it possible to make a connection?

Things are still very much in the planning stages, but I am hoping to put Togura Kamiyamada Onsen together with our local artists. We are fortunate to have a small group of talented artists here in our town. This morning, I had coffee with a husband and wife team of artists: wood block print artist Fumio Wakabayashi and Hungarian-born ceramicist Agnes Husz-san. Both of them, especially Fumio-san, have had many years of ties with Togura Kamiyamada Onsen. I was fortunate to get their perspective on our onsen town and its relation with art.

One of Fumio-san's comments especially struck me:

What is the difference between a business hotel and a ryokan? A hotel is simply a box. A ryokan uses the tokonoma alcove in the rooms to display a piece of art as well as a 'kakejiku' hanging scroll. In other words, the difference is culture.

It made me think about Kamesei. We have an assortment of artwork displayed throughout our inn. Everything from a piece of calligraphy from living national treasure katana-smith Miyairi-san (since deceased) to hand-made quilts from my mom. But a common occurance is for a guest to ask what a particular object is, and for us to say, "I don't know; We'll have to ask the proprietress."

On the other hand is the case of one of the ryokans I most look up to: Yorozuya in Yudanaka Onsen by the snow monkeys. Once I had the privelege of participating in a tour of the inn. When asking about some object, we were told, "Oh, that's from Meiji era. There are only two of them in the world. One is here and the other is in some top class museum in Kyoto."

"Huh, and you have just have it sitting here out in the open with no explanation?"

"Well, if someone knowledgeable sees it and appreciates it, that's great. But if people don't and just walk by, that's fine, too."

We here at Kamesei will never be able to duplicate the level of culture at Yorozuya, but bit by bit we are starting to expand our collection with pieces that have meaningful stories. And connecting with our local artists will be a major part of that.





亀清旅館の客室庭に杏のみ？！ Apricot Fruit in Kamesei Ryokan's Guestroom Garden?

May 31, 2011: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada
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Apricot fruit starting to develop

亀清旅館の「千歳」と言う客間はこの千曲市の森地区「あんずの里」の記念で「杏」と言うテーマに合わせてプッチ改造しています。その一部としてはお部屋の庭に杏の木を庭師の岡田さんに植えてもらいました。今日に見たら、立派な身が出始まりました。さすがあんずの里に近い温泉地と思いました。

ちなみに、本来の杏狩り＠あんずの里は６月２５日（土）～７月１５日（金）頃
で行うそうです。戸倉上山田温泉・千曲市は杏から初めて、サクランボ、ぶどう、梨、そして代表のりんごで次から次へ果実が出てきます。その最初は杏です。楽しみにしていま～す!ご一緒に杏狩りに行きませんか?

For Kamesei Ryokan's guestroom 'Chitose', we are doing a slight make-over around an "Apricot" theme in honor of nearby Mori 'Apricot Village'. We had our gardener, Okada-san, plant an apricot tree in the room's private garden. When I took a look at it today, I was surprised to see it was starting to bear fruit!

Apricot picking will officially take place in Mori from June 25th thru July 15th. Apricots will be followed by cherries, table grapes, pears, and the granddaddy of them all, apples. Togura Kamiyamada has a veritable parade of fruit picking. But first, the apricots. Won't you come and join me for apricot picking?

「あんずの里」杏狩りの詳しくはこちらClick here for info on apricot picking in Mori 'Apricot Village'





観光経済新聞の「よその旅館」：青い眼の若旦那　Kanko Keizai Newspaper's "The Inn Next Door" Featuring the Blue-eyed Innkeeper

May 30, 2011: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada
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The Blue-eyed innkeeper in the press

業界の週刊新聞の観光経済新聞の「よその旅館ホテル」の第６２７回で青い目の若旦那・亀清旅館が紹介されました。

先日は宣伝キャラバンで東京に行った時に、観光経済新聞の事務所にもお邪魔しました。その時に印象が残った様で、後日に連絡が来まして、インタビューされました。

他の旅館経営者に参考になったらうれしいです。内井様、格好良い文章を有難うございまいした!私にとっては思い出になる記事です。

One of Japan's tourism industry newspapers, the Kanko Keizai Shimbun, runs a column that features a different ryokan or hotel owner every week. For the 627th installment, they decided to feature the "Blue-eyed Innkeeper" and Kamesei Ryokan.

A few weeks ago, I stopped in at Kanko Keizai's office in Tokyo during Togura Kamiyamada Onsen's PR annual PR trip. Apparently I left an impression on the staff, because a few days later they contacted me and before I knew it, I was being interviewed.

I hope the article provides some insight for other innkeepers. And I thank Uchii-san for his skilled writing. This is definitely a keepsake article for me!

観光経済新聞の記事はここです。Click here for the article.





この夏は暑さに負けない：　Ｇｏｏｇｉｅｓのフローズンヨーグルト　Beat the Heat this Summer with Googie's Frozen Yogurt

May 29, 2011: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada
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Googie's new summer dessert

この夏はちょっと怖いです。東京の方で節電（及び停電?）で冷房は使えない、すでに平均より暑くなると言う予報…

今は梅雨に入ったばかりでまだ割と涼しいですが、この夏は暑くなりそうで怖いです。

今日は戸倉上山田温泉の近くにアメリカナ風レストラン「グーギーズカフェ千曲店」に行ったら、おニューのデザートがありました：　軽井沢のフローズンヨーグルト。グーギーズカフェのオリジナルの組み合わせフルーツとトッピングで楽しいデザートです。

早速注文してみたので、カラフルで美味しくて、冷たくて、なおかつ、ヘルシーで、子供達も子供達のお父ちゃんも喜びました。

グーギーズカフェはそういう所が好きです：旬のお料理に地元の食材をクリエーティブに使っています。

This summer is going to be a hot one. Not only will airconditioning be limited by electricity restrictions (and black outs?), but the weather service is already predicting a warmer than average summer.

Today I spotted a possible solution: frozen yogurt at our town's local Americana-style restaurant, Googie's Cafe. Using frozen yogurt from Karuizawa and fruit and toppings from their own design, Googie's has created a heat-beating dessert.

The kids and I tried it today after our lunch. Refreshingly cold, yummy, colorful, and healthy! Not only did the kids love it, but their dad did, too!

That's what I like about Googie's -- they are always creating new seasonal menus with imaginative usage of local ingredients.

グーギーズカフェのＨＰはこちらClick here for Googie's Cafe website.







プロの旅行記者によって、戸倉上山田温泉の見直し A Pro Writer's Take on Togura Kamiyamada Onsen

May 28, 2011: その他 Miscellaneous
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Willow tree-lined main street

去年の暮れに千曲市が数人の旅行記者を呼びました。その一人が中尾隆之さんでした。ＪＲで働いている知り合いがそのころの「交通新聞」を持って来てくれて、中尾さんの書いた記事が載っていました：「千曲川沿いの温泉街」。

こうやって戸倉上山田温泉のプロのライターさん達に評価されて、嬉しいです。中尾さんは温泉街の上の荒砥城からの眺めが一番の印象だったようです。「それらの町々にくねくね長い帯のように伸びる千曲川」の姿を見たら、「千曲」と言う市名がやっと納得したと言います。

文章の中でもう１つなイメージは私にとって印象的：「柳並木の温泉中央通りを歩く。足湯や飲泉所…」　正直って、私はこの柳並木をあまり認識していなかった。外から来たくせに、当たり前様に思っていたかもしれない。でも、中尾さんの文書をを呼んで、中央通りの柳の木は千曲川と周辺の山々と並べて、戸倉上山田温泉の全体の「自然」の重要な部分である。中尾さんの記事のお蔭で、自分の温泉街を見直しました。

Last fall, Chikuma City invited a group of travel writers to our town. One of them, Nakao-san, had an article published in a train industry newspaper. A buddy of mine who works for JR recently gave me a copy of the article.

It was encouraging to see a feature article on Togura Kamiyamada Onsen by an industry writer . The article was titled "An Onsen Town Along the Chikuma River". According to the article, Nakao-san was particularly impressed by the birdseye view from Arato-jo, the mountain fortress behind the town, of the town and the meandering Chikuma River that curves back and forth down the middle. 'Chikuma' means 'a thousand bends', and seeing the view from the castle, Nakano-san finally understood where the name comes from.

For me, another image from his article stands out. He talks about going for a walk along Togura Kamiyamada Onsen's main street and enjoying the willow trees that line both sides.

I have to admit, I've been overlooking just how nice those willow trees are. Along with the river and the surrounding mountains, the willow trees provide a strong presence of natural beauty to our town.

旅行記者の中尾隆之さんの詳しくはこちらClick here for Nakao-san's profile.





床に隠れた秘密 Secret Hidden in the Floor

May 27, 2011: 活動 Activities
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A floor with a door

亀清の一番古い建物は中庭の奥にある２階建ての、上が大広間、下は客室と中広間のある建物です。７０年前ぐらいに隣の坂城町の宿場から移築されたそうです。元々は置き屋だったと言われています。

１００年近くの歴史のあ建物、なおかと置き屋だった、きっと色んなストリーがあるでしょう。

今は本当に久しぶりに大広間の建物を取り返っています。床の一部に腐れがあったから私がまた大工さんに変身して、修理しました。

その時に大広間の畳無い床は初めて見ました。いろんな不思議がありました。

２ヶ所に四角い板があって、きっとお茶会の為の釜の跡でしょうと。

もう１ヶ所は取っ手が板の表面にありました。そして、良く見たら、蝶番が近くにあった。何かの扉?明けれるかな?取っ手を手にして、持ち上げてみたら、ちゃんと開けました。何か宝物が隠れているかなと思ったら、空間でした。

私にとってはこの建物実態が宝物です。この宿ののれんを守って行きたいですね。建物のストリーが次の世代に伝われるように。

Kamesei Ryokan's oldest building is the 2-story structure across from the naka-niwa koi pond. The top story houses our big banquet room, and the bottom floor is a guest room and a smaller banquet room. Apparently this building was originally in neighboring Sakaki Town and 70 years was disassembled and relocated here to its present location. And supposedly, the building started out as an 'okiya' geisha house.

You know that as a building that's been around for near a century and has a history of being a geisha house, it must have its share of stories to tell.

Right now we are having the tatami mats in the big banquet room replaced. Part of the subfloor had some rot damage, so I put on my carpenters hat and fixed that section.

This was the first time I've ever seen the subfloor with the tatami mats off. The floor was a patchwork of wood planks, with a few quirks here and there.

In 2 places there were squared-off sections. My guess is that tea ceremonies were held here and this is where the pots were heated by coals.

In another place, there was a handle set in the face of a plank. After a closer look, I realized there were hinges nearby. Hmm, a hatch? Could it open? I lifted the handle and tried pulling the hatch up, and, it opened just as smoothly as could be. I was hoping there would be a hidden treasure underneath, but the space was empty.

In my mind, this whole building is a treasure. I hope I can maintain our inn so the building can tell its stories to the next generation.





今日の東京のテレビ局「ＴＢＳ」に「日本伝統を守っている外国人」

May 26, 2011: 亀清旅館 Kamesei Ryokan
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関東方面の皆様、今日の１８：１５から東京テレビ局「ＴＢＳ」のニュース番組「Ｎスター」での特集は日本伝統を守っている外国人4人が紹介される予定です：

お茶屋のフランス人
おそば屋のアルゼンチン人
熱海の芸子さんのルーマニア人

と

温泉旅館の米国からの若旦那

宜しければ、ご覧になって下さい。宜しくお願い致します。

ＴＢＳのＨＰはこちら





田んぼと北アルプスの日の入り Sunset over the Alps Reflecting in Rice Paddies

May 25, 2011: 温泉タウン戸倉上山田 Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada
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Sun setting over the Alps

この時期は松本の方で、見る角度によって夕方にアルプスの裏に沈む太陽は槍ヶ岳を針の様シルエットになるらしいです。

県旅館組合青年部の会議で松本に行っていまして、帰りは夕日が見れました。角度が違ったからその槍ヶ岳のシルエットは見れなかったけど、田植えされた田んぼに反射していた夕日は綺麗でした。その時に撮った写真を提供します。

At this time of the year, from certain locations in Matsumoto it appears that the setting sun goes down over the Japanese Alps right over Yatsugatake, silhouetting the needle-like mountain.

I was in 'Moto for a meeting of the prefecture's ryokan junior association, and on the way home got to see the sun setting over the Alps. Unfortunately I was in the wrong spot and so didn't get to see the Yatsugatake Alps action. But it was still pretty, especially as the newly planted rice fields reflected the setting sun. Here's a picture I took.




Yatsugatake silhoutte by a much better photographer than I


アカシア花の天ぷらはいかがですか? How about some Acacia Blossom Tempura

May 24, 2011: グルメFoodie
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'Tis Spring! Acacia flowers!

この戸倉上山田温泉の真ん中に千曲画が流れています。堤防の内側に入れば川辺の別な世界になります。今日は我が息子達を連れて、川辺へ冒険しました。アカシアの木は花がちょうど咲いていました。

信州は本当に自然で恵まれて、嬉しいです。

板長がこのアカシアの花を天ぷらでお客様に出すので、少し採ってきました。旬の味できっと美味しいでしょう。

The Chikuma River runs through the center of our onsen town, Togura-Kamiyamada. If you cross over the levee and enter the river 'zone', it feels like a separate universe. With the rustling sound of the wind through the reeds and gurgling sound of the river, you can easily forget the hussle and bussle of the surrounding town.

Yesterday I took our sons down to the river. The acacia trees are in bloom now and the air was filled with the sweet scent emanating from the white blossoms. We picked a few to take back to our chef here at Kamesei. Acacia flowers taste fabulous served as tempura. Our guests for the next few days are in for a treat!



Acacia trees in bloom with the Chikuma River and Togura Kamiyamada Onsen in the distance