Editor-in-Chief Ishii's ``A Splendid Life of Extraneous Thoughts''

I want to do that, I want to do this. I want to enjoy life even more! Based on such greedy thoughts, we will deliver the daily life of editor-in-chief Ishii, who enjoys life full of distractions. This time, I would like to talk about the Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa, which I visited at the end of last year. We participated in the hotel's farewell gala, which will be a short farewell until we resolve issues such as the earthquake-resistant structure and see it in a new form in 2024.

The NOEL LEON event at the end of last year was a huge success! I still have fresh memories of being moved to tears by Tetsuya Komuro's performance and DJ, but the best part was being able to feel everyone's power once again. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much. And the next day. I went to Karuizawa on my last business trip in 2022. We visited Mampei Hotel, one of the classic hotels that Japan is proud of.

The first Western-style hotel was built in Karuizawa in 1894 (Meiji 27) through a friendship with Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw, who is said to be the founder of Karuizawa's revival. The name at the time was Kameya Hotel. It was two years after the hotel opened that it was named the Mampei Hotel, named after the founder. Since then, we have overcome many difficulties and renovations to reach our current status, with the motto "Hospitality is the heart. The hotel is the people." The historic Mampei Hotel has recently closed temporarily for renovation. A farewell gala was held with guests from all over Japan gathering to witness the finale. And as soon as I arrived at the last seat.

The farewell gala started with a recital by Mao Fujita, one of Japan's leading pianists. He won 2nd place at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in June 2019 and was highly praised in THE TIMES. His piano performance filled the Mampei Hotel with a whirlwind of applause, and then it was time for dinner.

Dinners lined with so much silver may be rare these days. We enjoyed Mampei Hotel's ``culmination of food'' focusing on local Nagano ingredients and wine. The rich flavor of ``Consommé Soup Royale'', which was loved by the imperial family, still lingers on the tip of your tongue.

At the end of the dinner, we were greeted by all the hotel staff. ``I hope to see you again soon...'' The manager's emotional greeting made even Ishii cry.

As it was the last time, I paid a courtesy visit to the main bar, "The Bar." As I drank whiskey and listened to the memories of people who used to stay at the Mampei Hotel, I realized once again that the history that the hotel has carved out is not just a mere facade...

The new Mampei Hotel will be open in 2024, which will mark the 130th anniversary since its opening. I'll be sure to visit you then! I bowed and left the hotel.