越後湯沢拠点旅：松之山温泉（新潟）の新緑/Fresh Green in Matsunoyama Spa, Niigata
松之山温泉（新潟）の新緑
（アイスランドのモスグリーンとの対比）
少し前の話になりますが、自分がいつも通っている新潟県南魚沼郡のトピックを紹介したいと思います。前項のアイスランド旅行③で、当地の“郷土色”と言えそうな「モスグリーン」の話をしましたが、同時に思い出したのが松之山温泉でみた「新緑」です。
Fresh Green in Matsunoyama Spa, Niigata
（Contrast with Moss Green in Iceland）
Although this was a few years ago, I here like to introduce the place in Niigata, Japan. I have described “Moss Green” in Iceland. This Icelandic local color reminded me of “Fresh Green” in Matsunoyama Spa., Niigata, Japan.
(English text continues to the latter part of the page)
これは新潟県十日町市の外れにあるブナの原生林「美人林」を5月初めに訪れたときのもの。光り輝くような新緑が生い茂っています。その横は池に写った新緑。
この写真は数年前に同じ場所で同じ時期に撮ったもの。この年は大雪の年だっただけに、5月初めまで雪が残り、新緑と残雪と言う奇跡のようなコンビネーションになっています。
アイスランドで見た「モスグリーン」は厳しい自然環境下で溶岩台地の表面にへばりついた苔が織りなす何百年も不変の色ですが、日本の「新緑」は長い冬から目覚めて盛夏に向かっていく木々が見せる若い緑の色、いわば穏やかな四季の変化を見せる日本で毎年繰り返す風景になります。アイスランドの「モスグリーン」も美しかったけど、同時にこの日本の「新緑」模様も思い出す結果になりました。
ちなみにこの美人林のある松之山温泉は「日本三大薬湯」のひとつ。他の二つ（有馬温泉、草津温泉）に比べて知名度は低いんですが、非常に“濃い”温泉が観光地化されていない素朴な温泉街で楽しめます。ぜひ一度お試しください。
Fresh Green in Matsunoyama Spa, Niigata
（Contrast with Moss Green in Iceland）
Although this was a few years ago, I here like to introduce the place in Niigata, Japan. I have described “Moss Green” in Iceland. This Icelandic local color reminded me of “Fresh Green” in Matsunoyama Spa., Niigata, Japan.
2 photos above are the native forest of beech trees named “Bijin bayashi(Forest of beauty)” in Matsunoyama Spa., Niigata. In early May, trees are showing full grown fresh green leaves. 2nd photo is so-called “Mirror pond” which reflects green leaves .
This photo was taken at same place in same season but several years before the first one. That year had a so much snow that the photo was the combination of Fresh Green and remaining snow. It’s almost a miracle.
The Moss Green I saw in Iceland was the presence of invariant. It was made by moss which hold fast on lava plateau for hundreds of years. On the contrary Japanese Fresh Green is something which visits every year. After severe winter leaves are growing fast ahead to summer peak, which is characteristic process of 4 seasons cycle. I was strongly impressed with Moss Green in Iceland but it also reminded me of Fresh Green at my home.
And this place, Matsunoyama is one of “3 best medicinal hot springs in Japan”. It is not so much known as other 2 that you can enjoy perfect thick spa in simple and not too much touristy town. Have a try once!