亀清の手作りの露天風呂Kamesei's handbuilt outdoor bath
湯気が多いせいか、雨が降ったあとの露天風呂はなんとなくいつもより「温泉らしい」様な雰囲気です。
Maybe it's because of the extra steam coming off of the bath, but our outdoor bath has an extra special feel after the rain falls.
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
The Snow Monkeys taking their onsen bath
Most of the guests from overseas that stay at Kamesei come to Nagano to see the snow monkeys (www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp). We couldn't let the guests have all the fun, so today, our family made the trek. The monkeys were so entertaining! I took loads of pictures, some of which are here, as a companion to my article in Naga-Know (http://www.nagaknow.com/snowmonkeys.shtml). We also got to meet Hagiwara-san, the park manager, and bought his new book, 'Monkey Kingdom', which features his award winning photos.
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website
Trailhead from Kanbayashi Onsen
On the trail through the cedar forest
Why it's called Hell Valley
Park Entrance
The 'rustic' inn across the river from the park
Enjoying 'chimaki' at the inn
Half poofy, and half slicked-back
夜景ツアーポスター
以前に報告した様に、私が個人でお客さんに提供していた姨捨夜景・伝説ツアーが千曲市観光協会に取り上がれて、毎週土曜日にちゃんとした（有料）のツアーになりました。今日はせっかくポスターも作ったし、お客さんをリクルートしたのに、申し込んだら「人数が集まらなかった為に中止だ」と言われてしまいました。仕方が無い、私の無料ツアーが行いますので宜しくお願いします！
As previously mentioned, the Obasute Night View Tour that I often give as service to our guests has been taken over by the town's Tourism Bureau and has been turned into an official (for-pay) tour every Saturday night. Today, I went through all the effort of making a poster and recruiting a couple of guests, but when I called to make the reservation I was told tonight's tour has been canceled due to lack of guests. So, I will just have to do my regular (free) tour instead!
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
シルビーさんと講演 Speaking Engagement together with Sylvie
戸隠の観光協会に呼ばれて、「欧米人はどのおもてなしを認めているか」と言う講演を致しました。一緒にお話したのはシルビー・ジャコさんでした。シルビーさんの本も読んでいるし、彼女の事は良く聞いていましたが、実際に会うのは初めてでした。そうすると、お話がすごく合って、とっても良かったです。講演も「為になった」と言われましたし、私がさらに戸隠ファンになりました。
The Togakushi Tourism Bureau invited me to give a talk on what Westerners are looking for when they come to Japan. The co-speaker was Sylvie Jacquot, a 'long-termer' from France living in Togakushi. I had heard so much about Sylvie, and am reading her book, so I was excited to get the opportunity to meet her. It turns out we have a lot in common, especially our love of Nagano and desire to share the beauty of Nagano with people overseas.
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
来年の冬の薪ストーブ用
来冬の為の薪集まりが続いています。今度は上山田の宮下農園さんからりんごの剪定物を頂き。（息子がヘルプしてくれました。）りんご屋さんは剪定物が沢山出て困るし、亀清みたいな薪ストーブのあるところは薪が欲しくて困るから、ちょうどお互いさんです。
The wood collecting for next winter continues. Today it was apple tree trimmings. (Our son Andy assisting.) The orchardists always end up with way more trimmings than they can possibly burn, and wood stove owners like Kamesei need as much wood as possible, so it's a perfect symbiotic relationship.
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらclick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
初春（？）の亀
毎日雪が続いている中で冬がまだ終わりそうでもない。。。と思ったら亀清の中庭の池を見たら、亀清の看板動物の亀が太陽を浴びに上がっていました。この写真じゃ見えないと思いますが、許して下さい。もっと近く撮りに行ったら亀が逃げちゃうから。自分自身でどうぞ、見に来てください。:)
With snow still falling every day, the end of winter is nowhere in sight... Until now! This morning, the turtles in our Nakaniwa garden's pond were coming out of their winter sleep to poke their heads up and catch some sun rays. You can't really see them in this picture, but I couldn't get a closer one because the turtles swim away if you approach them. So if you want a closer look, you'll have to come and see them in person! 🙂
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
亀清のひな人形
亀清旅館の女性達が人形遊びで盛り上がっています。特に、事は１１ヶ月の美咲ちゃんもいます。しかし、私が思いますが、美咲ちゃんより大人の女性の方が楽しんでいるかもしれません。まあ、とにかく、ハッピーひな祭り。
All the ladies of Kamesei Ryokan are having fun playing with dolls, in the honor of the Hina Festival. This year is special as it's the first one for our daughter, Misaki. I have a hunch, though, that the adult women are enjoying this more than Misaki... Anyways, I wish everyone a Happy Hina Festival.
年数の建物と松 Classic building and pine tree
戸倉駅前に立派な萱葺きの屋根の建物があります。通る度に「凄いな」といつも感動します。こょうは我が僕達を連れて、見学しました。坂井銘醸「酒造コレクション」と言う酒屋の博物館です。詳しくはhttp://sakagura.co.jp
In front of Togura Station is a huge building with a classic thatched roof. Every time I drive by it, I think, 'Wow -- this has to be hundreds of years old.' Today I took our 2 sons for a tour. It's called Sakai Meijyou 'Shuzou (Sake Brewery) Collection', and inside is a museum of sake brewing.
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
酒造の博物館
「萱」と言うそば屋さんも
Popcorn Makers and Eaters!
島崎さん達の子供にデザートを作る約束しました。夕食後、皆さんが亀清のロビーの薪ストーブで集まって、アメリカ風の機械でポップコーンを焼きました。子供さん達は機械のハンドルをぐるぐると回したりして手伝いながら、楽しんで頂きました。良い思い出ができたかな？機会があれば、是非また起こし下さい。
島崎様から頂いたコメント：「楽しいひと時を過ごさせて頂きました。食事も美味しく、部屋も綺麗でししたので、大変満足でした。我が家は、畑でポップコーン用のもろこしを栽培するくらいのポップコーン好きなのです。なので、デザートのポップコーンは子供たちにとっては何よりうれしかったと思います。」
I promised to make a dessert for the Shimazaki Family kids after their dinner tonight, so I had them gather around the lobby wood stove, and brought out our old-fashioned popcorn maker, and popped them a bunch of popcorn. The kids took turns cranking the handle and helping make the popcorn, too. We all had a lot of fun!
亀清旅館のＨＰはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
年数を感じさせる知識時
常連のお客様の依頼で上山田の知識時というお寺に連れて行きました。天気は晴れていましたし、周りの山がうんと綺麗で、そしてこのお寺の門と本館の作り、特に屋根、で歴史の素晴らしさを感じました。今度はちゃんとした写真機を持って、写真を沢山撮りたいと思いました。
A couple of regular customers asked us to take them to Chishikiji Temple. With the blue sky and the snow-covered mountains in the distance, the setting was spectacular. The temple itself, with its thatched roof main building and gate, is impressive with the sense of history and time. Such a photographic little temple!
亀清旅館のHPはこちらClick here for Kamesei Ryokan website.
大わらじ付きの門
門の屋根の内側
