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Togura-Kamiyamada has historically been the onsen resort town that people stay at after a pilgrimage to the Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City. Guests come to soak in the onsen baths and throw a big banquet, call in some geisha and have an exciting night before returning to their normal lives. Today, various organizations that hold their banquets here have the geisha come to liven things up. Normally the geisha come for a minimum of 2 hours with most of the time spent chitchatting and pouring drinks for the guests. With this 30-minute Geisha Show, the geisha will perform some songs such as our area's traditional love song Kamiyamada Ko-uta, teach the group how to dance to the 'Tanko-bushi' (Coal-Miner) or similar song and have the guests join in dancing around the room. Then the geisha will challenge everyone to Konpira Funafuna or other geisha parlor games, followed by time for pictures with the geisha.

戸倉上山田の温泉街を「クールジャパン」として海外に紹介する事業が始まりました。その中で芸者さん達と話し合ってみた結果：　着物着付けwith戸倉上山田温泉芸寮組合

芸者さん達とお話ししたら、着物はとにかく沢山ある！そして、皆さんがその着物文化に誇りを持っていて、海外の皆様にも提供したいと。
この着物着付け体験と言う商品が生まれました！

この間はモデルのＪさんがボランティアーしてくれて、テスト的に着物着付けを行いました。アメリカから来たＪさんは着物に憧れて、実者の芸妓さん達三人係りで豪華の着物を着て、夢の様だったと本人が仰った。
これからはどんどんと戸倉上山田温泉のクールを磨いて、海外に売り込みます！

New Activity for onsen town Togura-Kamiyamada: Kimono Wearing by the Geisha.

Onsen Town Togura-Kamiyamada is proud of its geisha heritage. Today there are around 20 active geisha that provide dancing and musical entertainment for guests at banquets at the many onsen inns and hotels. One thing the geisha often mention is the pride they have in the kimonos that they wear, and love sharing the experience of wearing their elegant kimonos with guests. You, too, can try on a real-life geisha kimono with assistance by actual geisha.

Many locations in Japan offer kimono-wearing experiences, but Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen is likely the only place where you can try on an actual geisha kimono with real geisha assisting. The intricate layering, wearing the 'katsura' wig, the decorative tying of the obi ... the whole process will amaze you and interacting with the geisha each step of the way is certain to be a memorably joy. At the end, the geisha will help you strike a captivating pose for a once-in-a-lifetime picture.

戸倉上山田温泉の上の山城「荒砥城」は年に一度に無料で開放され、祭りが開催される。２０１３年の荒砥城祭りは１０月２０日(日)に行われます。戦国時代と触れ合える体験は様々あり、特に子供達が侍スプリットになれる。

普段は荒砥城祭りが戸倉上山田のハロウィーンパーティーと重なるので、ハロウィーンの実行委員長としてなかなか荒砥城まで上がれない。しかし、今年はハロウィーンの開催日がずれたお蔭で、私がお城の方で手伝いが出来そう。

従って、一生に行きましょう、荒砥城祭りへ！

Above our onsen town Togura-Kamiyamada stands the mountain fortress Arato-jo. Once a year the castle is opened for free to the public for the Arato-jo Festival. For 2013, the festival will be held on Sunday 20-October. There will be plenty of activities especially for kids to experience what samurai life was like.

Normally the Arato-jo Festival and the Togura-Kamiyamada Onsen Halloween Party are held on the same day, and as I always running the Halloween deal, I can never participate up at the castle. However, this year Halloween's being moved a different date, freeing me up to help at the castle.

So come and join my for this year's Arato-jo Festival!

荒砥城 Arato-jo Fort

雑誌の写真撮影があり、ついでに取りました：
亀清旅館・Chef武井の９月後半会席料理。メニューは下記です。
A couple of photographers came to do a photo shoot for a magazine. I got to sneak in this picture using the pro lighting of Kamesei Ryokan's Chef Takei Kaiseki Dinner Menu for late September. Menu description as below:

旬の物　焼き茄子 Baked Eggplant
酢の物　佐久鯉南蛮漬け　Spicy Nanban-seasoned Saku Carp
サラダ　生湯葉サラダ　Salad with Yuba (tofu skin)
蒸し物　Big栗（吃驚）茶碗　Surprise Chawan egg custard
つくり　かじき、甘海老、蛸　Kajiki Tuna, Shrimp, Octopus
焼き物　鮎塩焼き　Salt-rubbed Grilled Ayu Sweetfish
台の物　4種類の茸鍋 Hot Pot with 4 Varieties of local Mushrooms
別皿　　味噌漬け豆腐と松茸のホイル焼き　Foil-baked Tofu seasoned with miso, Unagi (eel) seasoned with white miso and Matsutake mushrooms
揚げ物　信州サーモン唐揚げ風 Shinshu Salmon Fried, Topped with Onion Sauce
お椀　　松茸汁 Matsutake Mushroom Soup
香の物　野沢菜　Nozawana and assorted Pickled Vegetables
水皿　　3食の地どり葡萄 Tri-color Local Grapes