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Nagano Prefecture
Japanese : 長野県 Nagano-ken
Capital	Nagano
Region	Chūbu
Island	Honshū
Governor	Jin Murai
Area (rank)	13,585.22 km² (4th)
- % water	0.2%
Population  (March 1, 2003)
- Population	2,215,973 (16th)
- Density	163 /km²
Districts	14
Municipalities	81
ISO 3166-2	JP-20
Website	www.pref.nagano.jp/ english/indexe.htm
Prefectural Symbols
- Flower	Gentian (Gentiana scabra var. buergeri)
- Tree	White birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica)
- Bird	Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus)
Symbol of Nagano Prefecture
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Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken^?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.

[edit] History

Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano, and was divided among many local daimyo during the Sengoku period.

Nagano was host to the 1998 Winter Olympics, which gained the prefecture international recognition as well as gaining the prefecture a Shinkansen line to Tokyo.

Map of Nagano Prefecture.

[edit] Geography

Nine of the twelve highest mountains in Japan can be found in this inland prefecture. Nagano is also the prefecture which is bordered by the highest number of other prefectures in Japan and it contains the location which is the furthest point from the ocean anywhere in Japan. Lakes featured within the region include Lake Kizaki, a beach resort popular for its water attractions and games.

The province's mountains have made it relatively isolated, and many people come for its mountain resorts and hot springs.

[edit] Cities

Nineteen cities are located in Nagano Prefecture:

[edit] Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district:

[edit] Mergers

Main article: List of mergers in Nagano Prefecture

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Railway

• East Japan Railway Company
  • Nagano Shinkansen
  • Shin'etsu Main Line
  • Chūō Main Line (east line)
  • Shinonoi Line
  • Ōito Line (from Matsumoto to Minami-Otari)
  • Koumi Line
• Central Japan Railway Company
  • Chūō Main Line (west line)
  • Iida Line
• West Japan Railway Company
  • Ōito Line (from Minami-Otari to Itoigawa)
• Shinano Railway
  • Shinano Railway Line

[edit] Airport

• Matsumoto Airport

[edit] Demographics

[edit] Culture

[edit] Tourism

Zenkō-ji

• Lake Kizaki
• Lake Suwa
• Mount Kirigamine
• Suwa Taisha, one of the oldest shrine in Japan
• Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan's national treasures.
• One of the world's highest geysers (about 40 to 50 meters) in Suwa.
• Zenkō-ji temple in Nagano city

[edit] Prefectural symbols

• Siberian Silver Birch
• Gentian
• Ptarmigan
• Japanese Serow
• Shinano no Kuni (prefecture song)

[edit] Media

[edit] Television

• Shin-etsu Broadcasting(SBC)
• Nagano Broadcasting Systems(NBS)
• TV. Shinshu(TSB)
• Asahi Broadcasting Nagano(abn)

[edit] Miscellaneous topics

• Nagano's former governor, Yasuo Tanaka, is an independent who has made a reputation internationally for attacking Japan's status quo. Among other issues, he has refused national government money for construction projects that he deems unnecessary, such as dams, and has overhauled (locally) the press club system that is blamed for limiting government access to journalists who give favorable coverage. Tanaka was voted out from office on August 6, 2006 and was replaced by Jin Murai.
• Sasuke competitor Shinji Kobayashi, who works as a garbage man, is from Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nagano Prefecture

• Nagano Prefecture official homepage
• Nagano (prefecture) travel guide from Wikitravel

Nagano Prefecture
Cities
Azumino | Chikuma | Chino | Iida | Iiyama | Ina | Komagane | Komoro | Matsumoto | Nagano | Nakano | Okaya | Omachi | Saku | Shiojiri | Suwa | Suzaka | Tomi | Ueda
Districts
Chiisagata | Hanishina | Higashichikuma | Kamiina | Kamiminochi | Kamitakai | Kiso | Kitaazumi | Kitasaku | Minamisaku | Shimoina | Shimominochi | Shimotakai | Suwa
See also: Towns and villages by district edit

Coordinates: 36°15′N 138°6′E / 36.25, 138.1