初生け　あやめ会＠亀清 First Ikebana: Ayame-Kai at Kamesei

February 3, 2010: Uncategorized
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初生け

先日にＳＢＣラジオで俳句の東福寺先生に「初鏡」など、日本のお正月の習慣は色々と教えて頂きました。今日はあやめ会という生け花の仲間が亀清旅館で新年会を行いました。お部屋の床の間にメンバーの皆で作った生け花を飾りました。「初生け」と仰っていました。なるほど。
こうやって、客室の床の間に生け花があれば、季節感も感じれるし、その空間が物凄く新鮮になります。毎週火曜日にその北村先生が教えているから来れば？と誘っていただきました。悩んじゃいました。本当は亀清旅館は客室の床の間に生け花がある様なレベルに持って行きたい。現状の生活では趣味を増やすのは・・・　でも、生け花は憧れていますのでいつかは習いたいです。

Last week, thanks to SBC Radio, I got a lesson in haiku poetry by Tofukuji-sensei. One thing he taught me about Japan's New Years traditions are all the "firsts", like "first time to look in a mirror".
Today we had some guests from the Ayame-kai ikebana circle. During their stay, they made a ikebana decoration for the tokonoma alcove. The flowers make such a difference by bringing in a sense of the season, as well as brightening up the space. Apparently their teacher, Kitamura-sensei, holds lessons every Tuesday, and they invited me to join.
Hmmmm. I really appreciate ikebana, and would love to learn how to do it. But I already have too much on my plate now... Someday!





雪は上と下がある？Snow has an up and down?

February 2, 2010: Uncategorized
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上雪

夕べは志賀高原から降りて、南向けで戸倉上山田温泉に戻ったら驚きました：温泉の方は雪が積もっていました。普段は長野市より北、そして山の方に雪が降ります。聞いたら、今回の雪は上（かみ）雪だった。雪は上と下があるのって、知らなかった。
まあ、この雪のお陰でお客様中庭やそれぞれの部屋の庭に雪景色の提供は出来ました。尚且つ、露天風呂はまた雪見風呂になりました。
お庭に雪が多少に残りそうですが、道の方はすぐ解けましたので運転はご安心して、信州の雪景色を見に来てください！

Yesterday as I was coming down from Shiga Kogen Heights and returning south to Togura Kamiyamada, I was surprised to find our onsen town covered in snow. Usually the areas to the north of Nagano, especially the mountains, get more snow than here in Togura Kamiyamada. However, today's snow was "Kami" snow. Kami means up, referring to the direction of Tokyo. Snow coming from the opposite direction is called "Shimo" snow.
Regardless of which direction it came from, the snow sure made our koi pond and tsubo-niwa gardens pretty. It also turned our outdoor bath into a snow-viewing bath. Our guests today enjoyed the beautiful scenes.
The snow will probably stick around in the gardens for a while, but it has already melted from the roads, so driving is fine. Come up and see our winter scenery!





Flair@上田のアニバーサリー Flair Cocktails at Anniversary in Ueda

February 1, 2010: Uncategorized
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Shino-san's Flair

夕べは家族での夕食の為にどっかで楽しいレストランを探したら、友人のＧｏ！さんの紹介で上田のアニバーサリーと言うお店に行きました。ラウンジに真赤なランボギーニーがあるのは私にとってポイントが高い。それより格好いい事はないと思ったら、素晴らしい人物と出会いました：ＦｌａｉｒカクテルのチャンピオンのＳｈｉｎｏさん。
子供達の為にＦｌａｉｒカクテルを頼んだら、Ｓｈｉｎｏさんが準備したら皆がバーで集まって、お店の光が暗くなって、Ｓｈｉｎｏさんにスポットライト、そしてダンス音楽、それでＳｈｉｎｏさんのＦｌａｉｒカクテルショーが始まりました。音楽に合わせてＳｈｉｎｏさんは瓶1本、2本、今度３本も飛ばしたり、手のひらにキャッチしたり、色々踊りながらパフォーマンスしてくれました。そして、グランフィナーレで一気に３人子供の為に色別などリンクが出来上がれ！
皆が感動しました！
Ｆｌａｉｒカクテルショーは私が初めて見ましたが、Ｓｈｉｎｏさんがチャンピオンって事、納得です。その笑顔、そのカリスマ、そしてパフォーマンス、最高でした。有難うございました！

Last night, our family was looking for a place for dinner, and our friend Go! introduced us to a restaurant in Ueda called Anniversary. In their lounge was a bright red Lamborghini. That won points with me right away. I thought, "What could be cooler than that?" I soon found out -- Shino-san!
Shino-san is a Flair Cocktail champion. We ordered one for our kids, and wasn't quite sure what to expect. After Shino-san was ready, we gathered down by the bar. The restaurant lights were dimmed, a spotlight shown down on Shino-san as the dance music was turned up, and Shino-san proceeded to give us her Flair Cocktail Show. Dancing to the music, she twirled and spun around with the bottles, first one in the air, then a second, then 3 bottles flying around simultaneously, with Shino-san catching them on the palm of her hand and doing all kinds of funky tricks. Then the grand finale -- with one quick move she made 3 drinks of separate colors for our 3 kids, all instantaneously. It was incredible!
I can see how Shino-san was able to win the Flair Cocktail championship -- not just the moves, but her smile and charisma really won us over.

アニバーサリーは上田中心から上がって、浅間サンラインになる道の途中にある。第２店舗は上田の中心街の海野町にも出来たそうです。両方ともは亀清から車で約３０分です。
Anniversary is located in Ueda along the way to the Asama Sun Line road to Karuizawa. They opened up a 2nd store in Unnomachi, Ueda's main shopping street.

Dining&Cafe Anniversary website



Ogling the Lambo


志賀高原地ビール工場見学 Shiga Kogen Microbrewery

February 1, 2010: Uncategorized
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A Proud Brewer

今日は山の内町の渋・湯田中温泉に呼ばれまして、アポの前に湯田中美湯ホテルのＳｈａｗさんにツアーして頂きました。地獄谷野猿公苑へのトレールを見せて頂いて（今はスタートが階段作りの工事中の為に臨時的に少し離れた所に移られている）、そして渋湯田中のＳｈａｗさん曰くのスピリチュアルの道を通りました。スピリチュアルと言うのは、作り酒屋があるからだそうです。実は、その酒屋、玉村さんは地ビールも作っています。亀清旅館でも扱っている志賀高原ビールです。今日は社長に会えて、嬉しかったです。あっ、この方がその美味しいビールを作ってくれているのだと。本に会えて、良かった！社長も元気で、明日からまた作るということで、工場を案内してくれました。今度はベルギー風のビールも作るらしいです。楽しみにしていま～す！

One of my fellow innkeepers requested I come to his inn in Shibu-Yudanaka Onsen to instruct his staff on dealing with foreigners. Hmm. I had thought I was finished with teaching English. But this particular innkeeper is the highest on the Nagano ryokan totem pole, so I couldn't say no.
Anyways, I arrived a bit early, and my buddy Craig from Yudanaka Biyu Hotel gave me a quick tour. We checked out the construction on the Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park trailhead at Kambayashi. A nifty stairway is being built there which will be a huge improvement on the previous slippery approach. Then Craig drove me down what he calls the "spiritual" street, so named because of the sake brewery there. Ahh yes, those spirits! We stopped in at the Tamamura Brewery where they also make Shiga Kogen Beer, the microbrews that we offer our guests here at Kamesei Ryokan. I got to meet the owner, the man behind these delectable beverages. He was happy to meet one of his supporters, and took us over to see the brewing equipment. He wanted me to come back tomorrow to see the next batch get made -- apparently he's going to attempt a Belgian style beer this time. I can't wait to taste the results!

玉村本店のＨＰはこちらClick here for the website of Shiga Kogen Beer.

湯田中美湯ホテル（Ｓｈａｗさんの所）のＨＰはこちらClick here for the website of Yudanaka Biyu Hotel (Craig's place)






上からの戸倉上山田温泉の光り　Togura Kamiyamada Onsen's Lights from Above

January 31, 2010: Uncategorized
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今回の満月が特に綺麗なので、戸倉上山田の温泉街はと月様の光でどんな感じかなと思って、お客さんを連れて町の裏の城山に連れて行きました。坂を上る価値がありました！善光寺別院のお寺からの眺めが最高でした。温泉のネオン街やそれぞれの旅館、真ん中は千曲川が流れて、お月様の光で川の向こう側の五里ヶ峰のシルエット、とにかく素敵でした。
姨捨からの善光寺平の夜景も綺麗ですが、城山から見る戸倉上山田温泉の夜景も真下のようで、また感動的です。戸倉上山田温泉にお泊りになれば、城山も上ってみて下さい。

With this month's full moon being so pretty, I wanted to see what our onsen town of Togura Kamiyamada looked like from above. So I took a couple of guests and drove up to the Zenkoji Branch Temple on Jyo-Yama, the hill behind our town. With the neon light district, the lights of the ryokan buildings, the Chikuma River running through the middle, and the hills on the far side silhouted by the moonlight, it was a spectacular scene.





作務衣でボーリング？ Bowling in a samue?

January 31, 2010: Uncategorized
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What kind of idiot wears a samue bowling? At least they had 30cm shoes!

家族で遊びにお出かけして来ました。上田市でボーリングしてきました。急いで行ったから作務衣から着替える暇もなくて、最初は作務衣ののままで始まりました。あんまりにも変で、すぐに普段着に着替えました。（まあ、私の場合は普段着＝作務衣・・・）

Our family went out for some fun today -- bowling in nearby Ueda City. We were in such a rush to take off, that I didn't get time to change out of my samue, the traditional Japanese working clothes that I usually wear. After bowling a frame in the samue, I realized how weird it looked and changed into street clothes. (In my case, though, most days my street clothes ARE the samue...)



本気のＫｅｎちゃん


Mari helping Misaki with her 1st Bowling


大月の月見風呂 Big Moon Viewing Bath

January 30, 2010: Uncategorized
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Andy and Kenny enjoying our moonviewing bath

今回の満月は一年間の月と地球の最低距離だそうです。夜はちょうど晴れていて、今晩の露天風呂はただの月見風呂じゃなくて、「大月」の月見風呂でした。お客様が大喜びでした。この「百年風呂」露天風呂を作った時に、屋根を付けた方が良いかどうか悩みました。この様に温泉に入りながらお月様の光も浴びれる時に、屋根をつけなくて正解だと分かります。

This month is when the earth and the moon are their closest, so tonight's full moon was extra large and bright. Our guests were delighted to be able to soak in our outdoor bath while bathing in the moonlight.
When I built this outdoor bath, the "100-Year Bath", I debated on whether or not to build a roof for it. On nights like this, with the moonlight streaming in, I realize that I made the right decision to leave the bath open to the sky!

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 for Kamesei Ryokan in Nagano.





一日のインターン One-Day Intern

January 29, 2010: Uncategorized
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Mr. Immersion -- Tom-san.

日本語を習っているＴｏｍさんはＵＫから来て、野沢温泉でスキーしたり、妻籠・馬込の間の中山道を歩いたりするために長野にお越しになりました。亀清に二泊もお泊りになった。その開いている一日にどうするか、色々なアドバイスをしながら、彼の要望を聞きながら、彼がとにかくこの一日は遠く行かないで、この町と触れ合いたいと。そこで、りんご農園をやっている英語を喋れる友人に連絡を取って、一日のインターンを手配しました。農家の飛田さんは作業に手伝ってもらえて、国際交流も出来て、嬉しかったし、Ｔｏｍさんはこの日本の田舎の生活をたっぷり味わえて、嬉しかったです。夜は私抜きでお神楽の練習にも行かれて、そこでも盛り上がったようです。私は会議があって、参加が出来なかった。あとで、お神楽の会長さんに「大丈夫でしたか？」と聞いたら、皆が外国じんにもう慣れたから、楽しかったと。（それは私にとっては重要なポイントです。亀清旅館もそうだし、お神楽もそうですし、この戸倉上山田温泉のインバウンドもそうです：タイラーより大きくなって欲しいです。）

まあ、Ｔｏｍさんほど熱心でこの地に入りたい人はめったにしかいないと思うからこういう一日インターンは頻繁に出来ないだろうけど、要望があれば喜んで対応は出来まっせ！

Tom came from to Nagano from the UK, to go skiing at Nozawa Onsen as well as to walk to Nakasendo road from Tsumago to Magome. In between, he spent 2 nights here at Kamesei Ryokan. For that middle day, he and I discussed various options. As I listened to him, I realized he was tired of trains and travelling, and wanted to connect with the local town here. So I called up my buddy Tobita-san who runs a local apple orchard and speaks a bit of English, and set up a 1-day internship for Tom. Tobita-san was grateful to have the help, and he enjoyed the cross-cultural sharing. Tom-san told me he thoroughly enjoyed immersing himself in the local culture. That night, the two of them even went to the okagura lion dance practice together. Due a meeting, I couldn't attend. Later I asked the troupe leader if things went okay without me, and he said everyone is used to foreigners, and that they all had a blast. (That's actually key for me. It is my desire that Kamesei Ryokan as well as the lion dance guys and Togura Kamiyamada's "Inbound" efforts are bigger than just me!)
I doubt we'll have very many guests that are as keen as Tom was for connecting with the locals, but should the occasion arise, I'll be happy to set up another 1-day Intern for anyone else in the future!





隠れ三味線 Shamisen Behind The Screen

January 28, 2010: Uncategorized
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長野県旅館組合青年部
新年会
若旦那40人。
つまり、「和」のプロ40人。
40人ともは松本のＨｉｋａｒｉｙａの和に感心しました。
和のプロを和で驚かせる秘密は？

写真を良く見て下さい。

ただの屏風。屏風の奥から三味線の音楽が流れてくる。「あっ、ＣＤでＢＧＭを流している」と思った。しかし、よく見たら、右側の影が動いている。着物と三味線の棒の動き。「生演奏だ！」と気付きました。

多分、私達だったら、態々人を呼んで、態々三味線を弾いてもらったら、せっかくだから舞台か何かの上で、皆が見れるようなところでやってもらう。

屏風の奥で隠すなんって、私達が感心しました。渋い！

長野県で業界で最も憧れている明神館の斉藤さん達が松本城の近くに去年にオープンしたＨｉｋａｒｉｙａ。東館が日本食、西館がフレンチ。古き名門商家が生まれ変わって、こんなにお洒落なお店になりました。

長野県の宝物の1つ。

我々旅館若旦那の皆が納得しました。

What does it take to impress 40 ryokan proprietors? Myself and the other members of Nagano's ryokan junior association found out during our annual New Year dinner today. We are arguably professionals when it comes to "traditional Japan". However, every one of us was mesmerized by the restaurant where we gathered, Matsumoto's Hikariya.

When we walked in to the banquet room, we noticed a traditional folding screen in one corner, with the melodious sounds of shamisen coming from behind it. We initially assumed there was a CD player behind it playing background music. But upon closer inspection, on the right side we could make out a shadow moving on the wall, the shadow from a kimono sleeve and the end of a shamisen. It was a live performance, hidden behind the screen!

Man, if I were to go to the trouble of arranging for a musician to come and play shamisen live, you could bet your bottom dollar I'd have her on a stage for everyone to see. So we were so impressed by Hikariya's subtle style.

The restaurant is in a renovated merchant's house, with the east wing being Japanese cuisine, and the west French.

Hikariya is one of Nagano's treasures! Us ryokan proprietors can certainly attest!

Click here for the website of HikariyaのＨＰはこちら



Hikariya's tokonoma decoration


駐車場案内看板＋(遊び心の)アルファ　A Parking Sign + (a little fun) Alpha

January 27, 2010: Uncategorized
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亀清旅館の宿の前に駐車場があります。でも、なぜか、お客さんに「駐車場はどこか?」とよく聞かれます。考えたら、駐車場の案内看板が無いのはいけないのかと。そのきかけで、息子達と看板作りという工作が始まりました。
ただの駐車場案内看板だけじゃつまらないから、ちょっと遊び心を書けました。まず、亀清の前に通る道は「公園通り」ですが、その名前があまり知られていないそうです。町の道看板を真似して、「公園通り」という看板も作りました。
次は、私の地元のシアトルのＦｒｅｍｏｎｔというご近状に面白い看板があるのでそれも真似してみました。その近状は宇宙の中心だと勝手に決めました。「Fremont Center of the Universe」って画像検索をすれば分かると思います「海は何メーター」、「パリーは何キロメーター」などの印がある。それを真似して、亀清の駐車場看板に「カラコロ足湯は２００ｍ」や「善光寺は３０ｋｍ」、「シアトルは７９８０ｋｍ」も。楽しい作品が出来ました。
亀清の前を通れば、是非見てください!

Even though we park our guests cars right in front of the entrance to our inn here at Kamesei Ryokan, often guests ask "Where's the parking lot?" I realized, perhaps the problem is we don't have a "P" (Parking) sign. So the boys and I started a little craft project: a Parking sign. And not just any ol' Parking sign -- one with a bit of flair.

First of all, the road that passes in front of Kamesei is technically called Koen Dori (=Park Road). But not many people seem to know its name. So we made a "Koen Dori" street sign, patterned after the city's official ones.

Next, we took some inspiration from the Fremont neighborhood of my home town, Seattle. The people there decided they were the center of the entire universe. If you do an images search for "Fremont Center of the Universe", you'll see the sign they made, with direction arrows to Paris, Timbuktu, and so on. We copied that idea, and made arrows to such places as the Foot Bath (200m), Zenkoji Temple (30km), as well as Seattle (7,980km).
So if you pass in front of Kamesei, please see our new sign. And hopefully our guests will know where the parking is (as well as how far Seattle is!).