Nagano Prefecture

Last updated
Nagano Prefecture
長野県
Japanese transcription(s)
   Japanese 長野県
   Rōmaji Nagano-ken
Flag of Nagano Prefecture.svg
Emblem of Nagano Prefecture.svg
Anthem: Shinano no Kuni
Map of Japan with highlight on 20 Nagano prefecture.svg
Country Japan
Region Chūbu (Kōshin'etsu)
Island Honshu
Capital Nagano
Subdivisions Districts: 14, Municipalities: 77
Government
   Governor Shuichi Abe
Area
  Total
13,561.56 km2 (5,236.15 sq mi)
  Rank 4th
Population
 (July 1, 2023)
  Total
2,007,682
  Rank 16th
  Density150/km2 (380/sq mi)
GDP
[1]
  Total JP¥ 8,454 billion
US$ 77.6 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 code JP-20
Website www.pref.nagano.lg.jp
SymbolsofJapan
Bird Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta)
Flower Gentian (Gentiana scabra var. buergeri)
TreeWhite  birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica)
Hasuike Resort on the Shiga Plateau in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture Hasuike03bs4272.jpg
Hasuike Resort on the Shiga Plateau in Yamanouchi Town, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture (長野県, Nagano-ken) is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshū. [2] Nagano Prefecture has a population of 2,007,682 (as of 1 July 2023) and has a geographic area of 13,561.56 square kilometres (5,236.15  sq mi ). Nagano Prefecture borders Niigata Prefecture to the north, Gunma Prefecture to the northeast, Saitama Prefecture to the east, Yamanashi Prefecture to the southeast, Shizuoka Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture to the south, and Gifu Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture to the west.

Contents

Nagano is the capital and largest city of Nagano Prefecture, with other major cities including Matsumoto, Ueda, and Iida. [3] :682 Nagano Prefecture has impressive highland areas of the Japanese Alps, including most of the Hida Mountains, Kiso Mountains, and Akaishi Mountains which extend into the neighbouring prefectures. The area's mountain ranges, natural scenery, and history has gained Nagano Prefecture international recognition as a winter sports tourist destination, and hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. It is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, with direct services to Tokyo, Toyama, and Kanazawa.

History

Geography

Nagano is an inland prefecture and it borders more prefectures than any other in Japan, bordering Gunma Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture, and Shizuoka Prefecture to the east, Niigata Prefecture to the north, Toyama Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture to the west, and Aichi Prefecture to the south. Nagano contains the point furthest from the sea in the whole of Japan—this point lies within the city of Saku. The province's mountains have made it relatively isolated, and many visitors come to Nagano for its mountain resorts and hot springs. Nine of the twelve highest mountains in Japan can be found in Nagano and one of its lakes, Lake Kizaki, is a beach resort popular for its water attractions and games. The climate is predominantly alpine with warm summers, cold snowy winters and less intense humidity than the lower lying coastal areas.

As of 1 April 2014, 21% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as Natural Parks; namely the Chichibu Tama Kai, Chūbu-Sangaku, Jōshin'etsu-kōgen, and Minami Alps National Parks; Myōgi-Arafune-Saku Kōgen, Tenryū-Okumikawa, and Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Parks; and Chūō Alps, Enrei Ōjō, Hijiriyama Kōgen, Mibugawa Suikei, Ontake, and Tenryū Koshibu Suikei Prefectural Natural Parks. [4]

Cities

Physical map of Nagano Prefecture Nagano geolocalisation relief.svg
Physical map of Nagano Prefecture
Political map of Nagano Prefecture
City Town Village Map of Nagano Prefecture Ja.svg
Political map of Nagano Prefecture
     City     Town     Village
Hida Mountains (August 2006) Hakubarenpou.JPG
Hida Mountains (August 2006)
Nagano City View of Nagano City from Mt. Asahiyama.jpg
Nagano City
Chikuma River, from Yashima Bridge, looking downstream toward Murayama Bridge, Nagano (city) Chikuma River Yashima Bridge Nagano.jpg
Chikuma River, from Yashima Bridge, looking downstream toward Murayama Bridge, Nagano (city)
Suwa Takashima dungeon view (4936834001).jpg
Suwa
Komagane Komagane Nagano and Southern Yatsugatake Volcanic Group.jpg
Komagane
Matsumoto Cityscapes of Matsumoto in 2014-8 No,5.JPG
Matsumoto
Nozawaonsen, Nagano Nozawa Onsen 01.jpg
Nozawaonsen, Nagano

Nineteen cities are located in Nagano Prefecture:

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district:

Mergers

Demographics

Nagano prefecture population pyramid in 2020 Nagano prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg
Nagano prefecture population pyramid in 2020
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
18801,000,414    
18901,146,071+1.37%
19031,348,556+1.26%
19131,484,205+0.96%
19201,562,722+0.74%
19251,629,217+0.84%
19301,717,118+1.06%
19351,714,000−0.04%
19401,710,729−0.04%
19452,121,050+4.39%
19502,060,831−0.57%
19552,021,292−0.39%
19601,981,433−0.40%
19651,958,007−0.24%
19701,956,917−0.01%
19752,017,564+0.61%
19802,083,934+0.65%
19852,136,927+0.50%
19902,156,627+0.18%
19952,193,984+0.34%
20002,215,168+0.19%
20052,196,114−0.17%
20102,152,449−0.40%
20152,099,759−0.49%
20202,052,493−0.45%
source: [5]

The life expectancy in Nagano prefecture is the longest nationwide with the average life expectancy of 87.18 years for women and 80.88 years for men. [6]

Transportation

Railway

Road

Expressways

National highways

Airports

Education

Universities

Public

Private

Economy

Nagano Prefecture has a large and diversified economy, with a strong focus on electronics, information technology, precision machinery, agriculture and food products, and tourism, with a total GDP of about ¥8.5 trillion (2017). [7]

Several large Japanese groups have production facilities in Nagano Prefecture, such as Citizen Watch (Citizen Group), MinebeaMitsumi, Seiko Epson and Vaio.

Tourism

Sports

Sunpro Alwin in Matsumoto. ALWIN3.jpg
Sunpro Alwin in Matsumoto.

There are two local J.League clubs: AC Nagano Parceiro and Matsumoto Yamaga FC.[ citation needed ]

Prefectural symbols

Sister regions

Personalities

See also

Notes

  1. "2020年度国民経済計算(2015年基準・2008SNA) : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府". 内閣府ホームページ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  2. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Nagano prefecture" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 682 , p. 682, at Google Books; "Chūbu" at p. 126 , p. 126, at Google Books
  3. Nussbaum, "Nagano" at p. 682 , p. 682, at Google Books
  4. "General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture" (PDF). Ministry of the Environment. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  5. "Statistics Bureau Home Page". www.stat.go.jp.
  6. "Nagano Prefecture has achieved the highest life expectancy in Japan, after long efforts of improving each one's lifestyle (December 9, 2013) | 公益財団法人フォーリン・プレスセンター(FPCJ)". fpcj.jp. 8 December 2013.
  7. "Regional Information: Nagano". Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). Archived from the original on 19 October 2020.
  8. Keith. "GODZILLA MINUS ONE Official Press Release, Trailers and Teaser Posters -- Direct From Toho! North American Theatrical Release December 1!". SciFi Japan. Retrieved 16 July 2023.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matsumoto, Nagano</span> Core city in Nagano, Chūbu, Japan

Matsumoto is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Matsumoto is designated as a core city since 1 April 2021. As of 1 March 2019, the city had a population of 239,466 in 105,207 households and a population density of 240 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 978.47 square kilometres (377.79 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shinano Province</span> Former province of Japan

Shinano Province or Shinshū (信州) is an old province of Japan that is now Nagano Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ōmachi, Nagano</span> City in Chūbu, Japan

Ōmachi is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2019, the city had an estimated population of 27,559 in 11861 households, and a population density of 49 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 565.15 square kilometres (218.21 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Highland (Japan)</span> Inland region on central Honshū, Japan

The Central Highland, or Koshin Region, is an inland region on central Honshū in Japan. It forms the central part of the Chūbu region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minowa, Nagano</span> Town in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Minowa is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the town had an estimated population of 25,051 in 9,737 households, and a population density of 290 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 85.91 square kilometres (33.17 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagiso</span> Town in Chūbu, Japan

Nagiso is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the town had an estimated population of 4,111 in 1751 households, and a population density of 19 persons per km2. The total area of the town was 215.93 square kilometres (83.37 sq mi). Nagiso is listed as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azumino</span> City in Chūbu, Japan

Azumino is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 March 2019, the city had an estimated population of 97,761 in 39744 households. and a population density of 290 persons per km2. Its total area is 331.78 square kilometres (128.10 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagano (city)</span> Core city in Chūbu, Japan

Nagano is the capital and largest city of Nagano Prefecture, located in the Nagano Basin in the central Chūbu region of Japan. Nagano is categorized as a core city of Japan. Nagano City is the highest prefectural capital in Japan, with an altitude of 371.4 meters (1,219 ft). The city is surrounded by mountains, the highest of which is Mount Takatsuma (2,353 m), and it is near the confluence of the Chikuma River—the longest and widest river in Japan—and the Sai River. As of 1 July 2023, the city had an estimated population of 365,296 in 160,625 households, and a population density of 438 persons per km². The total area of the city is 834.81 square kilometres (322.32 sq mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asahi Broadcasting Nagano</span> Television station in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Asahi Broadcasting Nagano Co., Ltd., also known as abn, is a Japanese broadcast network affiliated with the ANN. Their headquarters are located in Nagano Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shin-etsu Broadcasting</span> Television station in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Shin-etsu Broadcasting Co., Ltd., also known as SBC, is a Japanese broadcast network affiliated with the Japan News Network (JNN) for TV and JRN/NRN for radio. Their headquarters are located in Nagano Prefecture.

<i>Azusa</i> (train) Train service in Japan

The Azusa is a limited express service operated by the East Japan Railway Company, which mainly run between Shinjuku and Matsumoto via the Chūō Main Line and Shinonoi Line. The name Azusa is taken from the Azusa River in Matsumoto, Nagano. On the Chūō Main Line, limited express Kaiji also runs between Tokyo / Shinjuku, and Kōfu / Ryūō.

Chūō Kōsoku Bus is a group of Japanese highway bus lines managed by Keio Bus. It connects Tokyo with the areas along the Chūō Expressway, especially Yamanashi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suwa Bus</span>

Suwa Bus (諏訪バス) had been a bus company in Suwa area Nagano Prefecture, Japan until March 2011 because the company has been be taken over by Alpico Kotsu. After merging to Alpico Kotsu, Suwa Bus is a nickname which Alpico Kotsu Group operates on Suwa area.

National Route 19 is a national highway connecting Nagoya and Nagano in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shinano Railway</span> Japanese railway company

The Shinano Railway Co., Ltd. is a Japanese third-sector railway operating company established in 1996 to operate passenger railway services on the section of the JR East Shinetsu Main Line within Nagano Prefecture when it was separated from the JR East network in October 1997, coinciding with the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen from Takasaki to Nagano. The company was founded on May 1, 1996, and has its headquarters in Ueda, Nagano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagano Station</span> Railway station in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Nagano Station is a railway station in the city of Nagano in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The station is operated by East Japan Railway Company and the private railway operator Nagano Electric Railway (Nagaden).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ōito Line</span> Railway line in Japan

The Ōito Line is a railway line in Japan which connects Matsumoto Station in Nagano Prefecture with Itoigawa Station in Niigata Prefecture. There are two operators on the line: East Japan Railway Company and West Japan Railway Company. Minami-Otari is the boundary for the two companies. The section of the line operated by JR East, between Minami-Otari and Matsumoto, is electrified and trains are fairly regular along this section. The JR West section from Minami-Otari to Itoigawa, however, is not electrified and sees less use. Trains operate less frequently along this section.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ueda Station (Nagano)</span> Railway station in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 Winter Olympics torch relay</span>

The 1998 Winter Olympics torch relay was run from December 19, 1997 until February 7, 1998 prior to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. The route covered around 1,612 kilometres (1,002 mi) and involved over 6,916 torchbearers. Midori Ito lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony.

References

36°15′N138°6′E / 36.250°N 138.100°E / 36.250; 138.100