A Black Flamenco Shawl in the Gardens of Karuizawa

4 days ago

4 min read

Historical note: this recollection was published in May 2026. The venue and its hospitality are described from my personal experience that day.

Sometimes flamenco arrives without making a sound.

It walks slowly in among trees, gardens and silence.

— ◆ —

There are days when you feel you are working.

And there are other days when you feel you are living through something that will stay with you forever.

What I experienced a few days earlier in Karuizawa was one of those moments.

After several hours on the road from Tokyo, mountains, enormous trees and a green landscape that reminded me so much of Spain began to appear. At one point, I felt something I could hardly explain. Looking out at the scenery from the car, tears came to my eyes.

The venue seemed to belong to another time.

Antique furniture, enormous lamps, dark wood, elegant sofas and a refined European atmosphere that was also calm and deeply human.

And something that really stayed with me was the unassuming warmth of the welcome I received.

— ◆ —

That was why I decided to adapt the whole performance to the space.

I did not want to come in with flamenco that was too forceful or break the beautiful silence of that place. I felt the surroundings called for a different energy.

The first part began inside the lounge, with castanets and Spanish classical music. Little by little, I moved closer to the people, walking between the sofas and letting the music breathe within the room.

Then came one of the most special moments I have experienced while dancing in Japan.

The performance slowly moved out into the garden.

Outside, the lake, the greenery of Karuizawa and the clean mountain air were waiting.

That was where the black shawl appeared.

To the sound of contemporary flamenco guitar, I began to dance surrounded by trees and silence. I did not try to fill the space with too many steps. I simply wanted movement, air and music to live alongside the landscape.

And I think the garden did the rest.

A pond surrounded by green trees beneath a blue sky.

— ◆ —

Afterwards, we shared a meal outdoors at a beautiful table surrounded by flowers and nature. Every last detail had been cared for. The tableware, the light, the colours, the unhurried rhythm of the conversation...

At that moment, a very personal thought came to me.

For many years, I had felt that perhaps I did not belong in places like this. That I was simply a flamenco dancer living quietly in Japan, teaching flamenco every day in my little studio.

But that afternoon, I felt something different.

Not because of the luxury.

Nor because of the place itself.

But because I felt that my way of understanding flamenco could live naturally alongside the elegance, silence and sensitivity of that space.

And perhaps that was the most beautiful thing of all.

— ◆ —

After the event, I also experienced one of those moments that stay with you forever.

Menú personalizado
Menú personalizado
Menú personalizado

I was able to get to know a deeply human part of Japanese culture, sharing conversations, stories and objects rich in history and feeling. More than a work meeting, it felt like a moment of real trust and sincere cultural connection.

Some experiences are unforgettable because they come from the heart, rather than from self-interest.

And that was exactly what Karuizawa was for me.

A garden.

A black shawl.

Music sounding among the trees.

And the feeling of having experienced something deeply human.

— ◆ —

Among the trees of Karuizawa, I found a place whose character lay not only in its beauty, but in the care given to every detail.

The lounge, the garden, the light, the table, the flowers and the team's care created a very special atmosphere: elegant, peaceful and deeply human.

To me, it was more than a hotel.

It was a space where time seemed to slow down, and where every moment could become an unforgettable experience.

For anyone looking for a special place in Karuizawa, surrounded by nature, sensitivity and a carefully considered European aesthetic, I would recommend this hotel on the strength of that visit. I found something there that is hard to come by: silence, beauty and true hospitality.

— ◆ —

To keep discovering how flamenco continues to grow and change in Japan, you can follow the daily life of BG Flamenco Academy and Benito García through our social media and official channels.