They held a Joukamachi (castletown) Festival in Komoro 19-23 this months
This is Komoro station.In June many swallows come to the nests under the roof.

Coming out of Komoro station you turn left and you will find Honjin building where some exhibitions are held.One of them was exhibition of kimono made of old cloths.At the entrance they arrange wild flowers in the area.What most impressed me was that Ms Nakazawa collected old cloths and made them into Furisode(long sleeved kimono) and she said it took 15 years to do so.

Ms Nakazawa.Please enjoy her

beautiful kimono and obi (belt) all in different style.

After kimono I visited Sake brewer and bought a Sobachoko.Sobachoko is dip container for soba.(japanese typical noodle and Nagano prefecture is well known for good soba).This is Sobachoko I bought.Surprisingly he is from Karuizawa and a sort of sake connaissurer.Loving sake and choko (for sake) he now opened a shop in Karuizawa. Interesting!Regret I don’t drink alcohol.

Young people exhibit their works and run cafe.

When I was looking at the map thinking where to go next I was spoken to see the old house open only for the day.The house was built in Edo era(17-18 century).I was interested in the skylight and it was installed in Edo era did they possibly get glasses? As I wondered skylight was installed later and they became popular in the area.There were houses of three stories and these houses have tower like skylight to reach the roof of three storied house.

This is Soba restaurant built also in Edo period.

I finished my day trip by having Unagi kabayaki don(eel).　to Japanese

Onsen, that’s everybody loves both foreigners and Japanese.When they learn Onsen and pronounce Onsen they may be nearer to Japanese culture.Here is Onsen, Kusatsu is one of three Onsen in Japan.Right in centre of the town hot water spurs and you will be surprised with its amount.

Pity I missmed several shots including Ryokan-Japanese style hotel. We spent a couple of hours in the centre of the town and then from Kusatsu station hotel’s shuttle bus sent us to the hotel.Where I stayed called TOKINONIWA-季の庭 was the most favourite hotel for the year in Kusatsu.Before I knew that this hotel is favoured,I could see that their way of OMOTENASHI – hospitality differs from other we stayed.They do not select guests but they seemed to know what will please guests.This is very important point. Many hotels think they offer luxurious rooms, amenities and … They knew how guests can relux and enjoy. It’s including small surprises!!This is extremely distinguishable of this hotel management.

Moss in the garden

Part of the garden.ROOM:On entering guest room area which is divided by sliding dorrs we can select Yukata-cotton kimono & Obi-wide belt and even pillows.Each room provides Samue-room wear which mostly priests wear and Dotera-kimono style gown.Our room consists of 1 living room(tatami), 1 bed room (tatami & matress),tiny garden leads to open air bath. TV is hidden behind small rood/paper made sliding doors.BATH: They say there are 23 different baths.BeforeI go to the bath my daughter who already finished taking a bath advised that there are free ice candies.So good! Here are their OMOTENASHI(hospitality) : 1.free ice candies.2.free some Japanese/Chinese refreshment such as Niramannjuuニラ饅頭,Nikumann肉まん and Misodennraku.味噌田楽。This start17:30 to 18:30pm.First dinner start at 17.50 we missed them. Next time! Then 3.surprisingly at 10 o’clock they offer Ramen, of course free ramen.We like Ramen and now its popularity is becoming worldwide.You can eat as many ramens as you like between 10:00 to 11:30 pm. In Japan there are many who finish drinking alcohol with having ramen. After alcohol ramen taste so good. When they offer ramen at 10:00 pm menas that people can happily go to bed.I was really impressed and more impressed when I see guests enjoy eating ramen.Wakuwaku Dokidoki  Now MEALS: Dining room is divided by partition like private room so we do not have to see others.This is very good to keep privacy.

      This is starters

.Cup of soup.It is season of wisteria, in Gumma and Nagano area you will see lots of wild wisteria.SashimiEggplant etc

Main dish of beef steak.You can select as you like among 4 menuRolled cabbage,quite soft and tasty.Of course there was desset but I did not take photoBreakfast for startBits of bits

Plain omelet, you can also select among menu

All of us really enjoyed and we will be back again in the near future! Recommendable hotel for foreigners as well.

Lake new town modeled lakes in Switzerland.Along the lake there used to be a department store and swan shape boats on the lake but now all renovated matching to the landscape.Once you enter the gate it is Swiss village.

 Houses in sober colour.

Lakes in rain      Backside of the

sober houses facing the lake.

It was 18th April I visited　the garden and they have just finished transplant roses.Very well arranged and I could imagine these roses at their best in June.DaffodilsLotus roots in water.

Shops far end of the lake which really made me feel I am in Switzerland. Wooden bridge looks a bit slipperly but protectedLow headges.View just entered the gate.I went to Lakenewtown again in May and found roses have grown so much.I will be there again in June to enjoy roses.I will report you again.

10th May is Mothers Day.These flowers are given to me from my daughter.

　A few days ago I heard that cherry blossoms just started to bloom in Kushiro, Hokkaido. Kushiro is located very north so you can imagine that most cherry blossoms are gone by this time in Japan. However, there were drooping cherry blossoms in Karuizawa, Nagano pref and five of them are drooping their branches to the ground. They reminded me of some kind of dog.

 You can see a few trees behind.

 If I went there a week before they surely look more beautiful.

In this space there are variety of cherry trees and therefore you can enjoy them for quite some time.This is a spot I found in Karuizawa. Even during Golden week there were noone there.

 Dandelions’ yellow are matching to..