Nagano, Nagano
Encyclopedia
, the capital city
of Nagano Prefecture
, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence
of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japan
ese island of Honshū
.
As of April 1, 2011 the city has a population of 387,146. The total land area is 834.85 km².
Within hours after a major earthquake
and resulting tsunami
hit northeastern Japan near Sendai (see 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
), a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit Nagano Prefecture
on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 3:59am local time. There were no reports of damage or casualties.
, a 7th century Buddhist
temple which overlooks the city. A million tourists visit Nagano annually, the gateway to a variety of sightseeing spots. Nagano was originally a small town in Kamiminochi District
built around the hilltop temple, the largest wooden building in eastern Japan, but the city now encompasses locations that were within Sarashina
, Hanishina
, and Kamitakai
districts as well.
The prefecture of Nagano is in a hilly area.
, although its location in a sheltered inland valley means it receives less precipitation than any part of Japan outside Hokkaidō. The city still receives heavy winter snow totalling 2.57 metres (101 in) over four months from December to March, but it is less gloomy during these cold months than the coast from Hagi
to Wakkanai
.
and Paralympics
, the second Winter Olympics to be held in Japan after the 1972 Winter Olympics
were held in Sapporo, Hokkaidō
(the first Winter Games ever held in Asia). As of 2010, Nagano is the southernmost host of the Winter Olympic Games. The Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon
has been held every year since in remembrance of the event.
Nagano also hosted the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games
, marking the first time the Special Olympics World Games
had been held in Asia.
The historic site of the Battles of Kawanakajima
has been retained as parkland, with a municipal museum of the history of the Zenkoji plain.
Matsushiro, the former castle town of the Sanada clan
, is located in the southern part of the city. The town retains an historical atmosphere, preserving many old samurai residences, temples, and gardens of the feudal period, including the remains of the castle and mansion of feudal lord Sanada Jumangoku.
Sporting venues built for the Winter Olympics include the M-Wave
speed-skating arena (with the world's largest wooden suspension roof), Big Hat arena, and the Aqua Wing Arena
.
To north of the city is the village of Iizuna
. A popular destination in both summer and winter, it includes an Olympic ski resort, campsite, onsen
, 10 ponds, and a mountain slide ride.
Northeast of the city is Japan's largest ski resort, Shiga Kogen, with the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park, famous for the wild (Japanese Macaque Japanese Snow Monkeys) often found bathing in its hot springs.
Just south of the downtown core, in Shinano
, Mt. Chausu hosts the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo, an outdoor dinosaur park, botanical garden, and a museum of natural history.
, and the smaller Shinonoi Station
, were expanded for the 1998 Winter Olympics. The Hokuriku Shinkansen
opened in 1997, connecting Nagano to Takasaki, Gunma
. Nagano Station also serves the Shinano Railway Line, Shin'etsu Main Line
, and Iiyama Line
. The JR
Chūō Main Line
connects Nagano to the major city of Nagoya
in Aichi Prefecture
.
The Nagano Electric Railway
also runs the Nagano Line to major sites around Nagano City and its suburbs.
The city is connected by rail south to Matsumoto
via the Shinonoi Line
, which terminates at Shinonoi Station.
Buses for Kawanaka-jima Bus and the Nagano Dentetsu Bus Co. service the city, and depart both Nagano Station and the Nagano Bus Terminal just west of the station.
The city's nearest domestic airport is Matsumoto Airport
, connected via a 70-minute express bus from Nagano City.
Nagano Nihon University High School has one of the most well-known sports programs in Nagano prefecture. Its track and field club has taken part in a national interscholastic meet. The long distance running team took part in the national high school Ekiden championships in 2003 for the first time. Since then, the team has taken part in the national Ekiden twice, in 2004 and 2005.
In 2009 the team was able to take part in the national Ekiden once again, owning top spots in various events.
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
of Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
, is located in the northern part of the prefecture near the confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
of the Chikuma and the Sai rivers, on the main Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese island of Honshū
Honshu
is the largest island of Japan. The nation's main island, it is south of Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait, north of Shikoku across the Inland Sea, and northeast of Kyushu across the Kanmon Strait...
.
As of April 1, 2011 the city has a population of 387,146. The total land area is 834.85 km².
Within hours after a major earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
and resulting tsunami
Tsunami
A tsunami is a series of water waves caused by the displacement of a large volume of a body of water, typically an ocean or a large lake...
hit northeastern Japan near Sendai (see 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
), a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit Nagano Prefecture
Nagano Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 3:59am local time. There were no reports of damage or casualties.
Description
Nagano is most famous for Zenkō-jiZenko-ji
' is a Buddhist temple located in Nagano, Japan. The temple was built in the 7th century. Nagano City, established in 1897, was originally a town built around the temple. Historically, Zenkō-ji is perhaps most famous for its involvement in the battles between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen in...
, a 7th century Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
temple which overlooks the city. A million tourists visit Nagano annually, the gateway to a variety of sightseeing spots. Nagano was originally a small town in Kamiminochi District
Kamiminochi District, Nagano
is a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,774. As a result of mergers the total area of the district is now 282.65 km².- Towns and villages :*Iizuna*Ogawa*Shinano- Mergers :...
built around the hilltop temple, the largest wooden building in eastern Japan, but the city now encompasses locations that were within Sarashina
Sarashina District, Nagano
Sarashina was a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 1,467 and a density of 31.99 persons per km²...
, Hanishina
Hanishina District, Nagano
Hanishina is a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of December 1, 2005, the district has an estimated population of 16,742...
, and Kamitakai
Kamitakai District, Nagano
Kamitakai is a district located in Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 19,073 and a density of 162.23 persons per km². The total area is 117.57 km².-Towns and villages:*Obuse*Takayama...
districts as well.
The prefecture of Nagano is in a hilly area.
Surrounding municipalities
- All but the city of Myōkō are within Nagano Prefecture.
- North - Towns of ShinanoShinano, Naganois a town located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2005, the town has an estimated population of 9,851 and a density of 65.99 persons per km². The total area is 149.27 km²....
and IizunaIizuna, Naganois a town located in the north side of Nagano City, Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.The town was created through a merger of the villages of Samizu and Mure on October 1, 2005....
and city of Myōkō, Niigata PrefectureNiigata Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :... - East - Cities of NakanoNakano, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan, located in the northern portion of the prefecture.As of April 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 46,114 and the density of 411.51 persons per km². The total area is 112.06 km²....
and SuzakaSuzaka, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan.As of May 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 52,493, with a household number of 18,934 and the density of 350.32 persons per km². The total area is 149.84 km².Fujitsu Corporation has a plant in the city....
and town of ObuseObuse, Naganois a town located in Kamitakai District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 11,317 and a density of 593.45 persons per km². The total area is 19.07 km².... - South - Cities of Ueda and ChikumaChikuma, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan.As of June 1, 2006, the city has an estimated population of 63,829. The total area is 119.84 km².-Description:...
- Southwest - City of ŌmachiOmachi, Naganois a city located in Nagano, Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 31,079 and the population density of 55 persons per km². The total area is 564.99 km²....
and villages of OmiOmi, Naganois a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village had an estimated population of 3,287 and a density of 95.61 people per km². The total area is 34.38 km².-External links:*...
, ChikuhokuChikuhoku, Naganois a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.The village was incorporated on October 11, 2005 by a merger of three villages, namely Honjō, Sakakita, and Sakai....
and IkusakaIkusaka, Naganois a village located in Higashichikuma District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 2,286 and a density of 58.66 persons per km². The total area is 38.97 km². It contains the Ikusaka Dam.-External links:*... - West - Village of OgawaOgawa, Naganois a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan., the village has an estimated population of 3,480 and a density of 59.93 persons per km². The total area is 58.07 km².-External links:*...
- Northwest -Villages of HakubaHakuba, Naganois a village located in Kitaazumi District, Nagano, Japan.-Town:As of 2007, the village has an estimated population of 9,246 and a density of 50.71 persons per km². The total area is 182.34 km²....
and OtariOtari, Naganois a village located in Kitaazumi District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 4,122 and a density of 15.39 persons per km². The total area is 267.91 km².-External links:*... - Northeast -Yamanouchi Area & Village of Yudanaka
- North - Towns of Shinano
Climate
Like most of Honshū, Nagano has a humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
, although its location in a sheltered inland valley means it receives less precipitation than any part of Japan outside Hokkaidō. The city still receives heavy winter snow totalling 2.57 metres (101 in) over four months from December to March, but it is less gloomy during these cold months than the coast from Hagi
Hagi, Yamaguchi
is a city located in Yamaguchi, Japan and was incorporated as a city on July 1, 1932. Formerly part of Abu District.On March 6, 2005, the former city of Hagi merged with the towns of Susa and Tamagawa, and the villages of Asahi, Fukue, Kawakami and Mutsumi to form the new city of Hagi.Iwami Airport...
to Wakkanai
Wakkanai, Hokkaido
is a city located in Sōya, Hokkaidō. It is the capital of Sōya Subprefecture and the northernmost city in Japan. It contains Japan's northernmost point, Cape Soya, from which the Russian island of Sakhalin can be seen....
.
History
- The city is located within Minuchi (水内郡), Takai (高井), Sarashina (更級郡), and Hanishina (埴科郡) Districts in the ancient Shinano ProvinceShinano Provinceor is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture.Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces...
. - Zenkō-jiZenko-ji' is a Buddhist temple located in Nagano, Japan. The temple was built in the 7th century. Nagano City, established in 1897, was originally a town built around the temple. Historically, Zenkō-ji is perhaps most famous for its involvement in the battles between Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen in...
relocated from the current city of IidaIida, Naganois a city located in southern Nagano Prefecture, Japan.Located on the Iida Line, an old local train line that runs through the valley of the Tenryū River in the southern Japan Alps, Iida lies 90 minutes northeast of the major city of Nagoya by automobile via the Chūō Expressway...
. (642). Afterwards, the town of Monzen becomes one of the motel towns of Hokkoku KaidōHokkoku KaidoThe was a highway in Japan during the Edo period. It was a secondary route, ranked below the Edo Five Routes in importance. Because it was developed for travelers going to Zenkō-ji, it was also called Zenkō-ji Kaidō . It stretched from the Nakasendō's Oiwake-juku to the Hokurikudō's Takada-shuku...
. - The Battles of KawanakajimaBattles of KawanakajimaThe ' were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province. The location is in the southern part of the present-day city of Nagano.The five major battles took place in...
were held, where Shigen Takeda (武田信玄) and Kenshin Uesugi (上杉謙信) fought. - Inu-no-Mansui (戌の満水 or 千曲川大洪水) (1742), the water level reached at 6.4m(21 ft) at Akanuma (near the border with the former town Toyono)
- Due to Zenko-ji Earthquake (May 8, 1847), nearly 10,000 people died (including the other disasters in Iiyama)
- Gained city status (1897)
- The Matsushiro Underground Imperial HeadquartersMatsushiro Underground Imperial HeadquartersThe was a large underground bunker complex built during the Second World War in the Matsushiro suburb of Nagano, Japan.. The facility was to be used by Emperor Hirohito, his family, and the Imperial General Headquarters to direct Japanese armed forces fighting against the Allied invasion of...
(松代大本営) was built (Started in 1944, but cancelled in 1945 due to the end of war) - Biggest mergers of the Showa Era I (1954)
- Due to the flooding of Chikuma River (1959), 71 people are dead or missing and 20,000 homes were flooded
- Biggest mergers of the Showa Era II (1966)
- Matsushiro Earthquake (松代群発地震)
- Due to Landslides (地附山地すべり災害)(1985), 27 people died and 60 homes were destroyed or near-destroyed
- Hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics1998 Winter OlympicsThe 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
and the 1998 Winter Paralympics1998 Winter ParalympicsThe 1998 Winter Paralympics, the seventh Winter Paralympics, were held alongside the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan from March 5 to March 14, 1998. They were the first Paralympic Winter Games to be held outside Europe.- Sports :...
(1998) - Became a core cityCore cityA is a class of Japanese city created by the first clause of Article 252, Section 22 of the Local Autonomy Law of Japan. Core cities are delegated many functions normally carried out by prefectural governments, but not as many as designated cities...
(1999) - Due to the Biggest Mergers in Heisei Era, the city absorbed the municipalities of the town of ToyonoToyono, Naganowas a town located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Toyono, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, and the villages of Togakushi and Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano....
, and the village of TogakushiTogakushi, Naganowas a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Togakushi, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, the town of Toyono, and the village of Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano.As of 2003, the village had...
, and KinasaKinasa, Naganowas a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Kinasa, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, the town of Toyono, and the village of Togakushi, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano....
(from Kamiminochi DistrictKamiminochi District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,774. As a result of mergers the total area of the district is now 282.65 km².- Towns and villages :*Iizuna*Ogawa*Shinano- Mergers :...
), and the village of ŌokaOoka, Naganowas a village located in Sarashina District, Nagano, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Ōoka, along with the town of Toyono, and the villages of Togakushi and Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano....
(from Sarashina DistrictSarashina District, NaganoSarashina was a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 1,467 and a density of 31.99 persons per km²...
). - Hosted the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games2005 Special Olympics World Winter GamesThe 2005 Special Olympics Winter World Games were hosted at Nagano in Japan and were the first Special Olympics World Games held in Asia. Nagano became the first city in the world to host the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics World Games.- Events :...
.
Municipal timeline
- April 1, 1897 - The first city of Nagano was founded. (Nagano became the first city founded in Nagano PrefectureNagano Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Nagano.- History :Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano...
and the 43rd city in JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
). - October 16, 1966 - The current and the second city of Nagano was founded by merging with 8 municipalities, including the original city itself.
- January 1, 2005 - The city absorbed the municipalities from Kamiminochi DistrictKamiminochi District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,774. As a result of mergers the total area of the district is now 282.65 km².- Towns and villages :*Iizuna*Ogawa*Shinano- Mergers :...
(ToyonoToyono, Naganowas a town located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Toyono, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, and the villages of Togakushi and Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano....
, TogakushiTogakushi, Naganowas a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Togakushi, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, the town of Toyono, and the village of Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano.As of 2003, the village had...
, and KinasaKinasa, Naganowas a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Kinasa, along with the village of Ōoka, from Sarashina District, the town of Toyono, and the village of Togakushi, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano....
) and Sarashina DistrictSarashina District, NaganoSarashina was a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 1,467 and a density of 31.99 persons per km²...
(OokaOoka, Naganowas a village located in Sarashina District, Nagano, Japan.On January 1, 2005 Ōoka, along with the town of Toyono, and the villages of Togakushi and Kinasa, all from Kamiminochi District, was merged into the city of Nagano....
). - January 1, 2010 - The city absorbed the town of Shinshūshinmachi and the village of NakajōNakajo, Naganowas a village located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan. On 1 January 2010 the village merged into the city of Nagano.As of 2003, the village had an estimated population of 2,742 and a population density of 82.37 persons per km². The total area was 33.29 km². This village lies about...
from Kamiminochi DistrictKamiminochi District, Naganois a district located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.As of 2011, the district has an estimated population of 23,774. As a result of mergers the total area of the district is now 282.65 km².- Towns and villages :*Iizuna*Ogawa*Shinano- Mergers :...
.
1998 Winter Olympics
Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics1998 Winter Olympics
The 1998 Winter Olympics, officially the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 7 to 22 February 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Seventy-two nations and 2,176 participans contested in seven sports and 72 events at 15 venues. The games saw the introduction of Women's ice...
and Paralympics
1998 Winter Paralympics
The 1998 Winter Paralympics, the seventh Winter Paralympics, were held alongside the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan from March 5 to March 14, 1998. They were the first Paralympic Winter Games to be held outside Europe.- Sports :...
, the second Winter Olympics to be held in Japan after the 1972 Winter Olympics
1972 Winter Olympics
The 1972 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from February 3 to February 13, 1972 in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan...
were held in Sapporo, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
(the first Winter Games ever held in Asia). As of 2010, Nagano is the southernmost host of the Winter Olympic Games. The Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon
Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon
The Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon is an annual marathon road race which takes place in mid-April in Nagano, Japan. It is an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race competition. The Nagano Marathon has races for both elite and amateur runners...
has been held every year since in remembrance of the event.
Nagano also hosted the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games
2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games
The 2005 Special Olympics Winter World Games were hosted at Nagano in Japan and were the first Special Olympics World Games held in Asia. Nagano became the first city in the world to host the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics World Games.- Events :...
, marking the first time the Special Olympics World Games
Special Olympics World Games
The Special Olympics World Games are an international sporting competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities, organized by Special Olympics....
had been held in Asia.
Sightseeing
Battles of Kawanakajima
The ' were fought in the Sengoku Period of Japan between Takeda Shingen of Kai Province and Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province in the plain of Kawanakajima, in the north of Shinano Province. The location is in the southern part of the present-day city of Nagano.The five major battles took place in...
has been retained as parkland, with a municipal museum of the history of the Zenkoji plain.
Matsushiro, the former castle town of the Sanada clan
Sanada clan
The was a Japanese clan which rose to prominence in the Sengoku period. During the Edo era, the Sanada ruled the Matsushiro Domain, where they remained until the Meiji Restoration.-Sengoku period:...
, is located in the southern part of the city. The town retains an historical atmosphere, preserving many old samurai residences, temples, and gardens of the feudal period, including the remains of the castle and mansion of feudal lord Sanada Jumangoku.
Sporting venues built for the Winter Olympics include the M-Wave
M-Wave
is an indoor sporting arena located in Nagano, Japan.Opened in 1996, the arena has a capacity of 10,000. It hosted the speed skating events of the 1998 Winter Olympics. The M-Wave is equipped with movable stands and an automatically winding artificial lawn machine...
speed-skating arena (with the world's largest wooden suspension roof), Big Hat arena, and the Aqua Wing Arena
Aqua Wing Arena
Aqua Wing Arena is an indoor arena in Nagano, Japan. The last venue to be completed for the 1998 Winter Olympics in October 1997, it hosted the ice hockey events. The arena was converted into an aquatics centre in 1999.The roof is retractable.-References:...
.
To north of the city is the village of Iizuna
Iizuna, Nagano
is a town located in the north side of Nagano City, Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.The town was created through a merger of the villages of Samizu and Mure on October 1, 2005....
. A popular destination in both summer and winter, it includes an Olympic ski resort, campsite, onsen
Onsen
An is a term for hot springs in the Japanese language, though the term is often used to describe the bathing facilities and inns around the hot springs. As a volcanically active country, Japan has thousands of onsen scattered along its length and breadth...
, 10 ponds, and a mountain slide ride.
Northeast of the city is Japan's largest ski resort, Shiga Kogen, with the nearby Jigokudani Monkey Park, famous for the wild (Japanese Macaque Japanese Snow Monkeys) often found bathing in its hot springs.
Just south of the downtown core, in Shinano
Shinano, Nagano
is a town located in Kamiminochi District, Nagano, Japan.As of 2005, the town has an estimated population of 9,851 and a density of 65.99 persons per km². The total area is 149.27 km²....
, Mt. Chausu hosts the Nagano Chausuyama Zoo, an outdoor dinosaur park, botanical garden, and a museum of natural history.
Transportation
The city's main railway hub, Nagano StationNagano Station
is a railway station in the city of Nagano in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.This station is used by East Japan Railway , Japan Freight Railway and Nagano Electric Railway .-Lines:*East Japan Railway Company...
, and the smaller Shinonoi Station
Shinonoi Station
is a railway station located in the city of Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.-Lines:*East Japan Railway Company **Shin'etsu Main Line**Shinonoi Line*Shinano Railway**Shinano Railway Line-Layout:...
, were expanded for the 1998 Winter Olympics. The Hokuriku Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen
The is a high-speed Shinkansen rail line under construction in Japan. The first section, between and , currently called the Nagano Shinkansen, opened on 1 October 1997.-Future:...
opened in 1997, connecting Nagano to Takasaki, Gunma
Takasaki, Gunma
is a city located in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.The city was founded on April 1, 1900.Takasaki is a regional transportation hub because its train station is the junction of several rail lines as well as a Shinkansen stop....
. Nagano Station also serves the Shinano Railway Line, Shin'etsu Main Line
Shin'etsu Main Line
The is a set of lines operated by the East Japan Railway Company in Japan. The bulk of the line runs from Shinonoi Station in Nagano Prefecture to Niigata Station in Niigata Prefecture, with several connections to other lines including Hokuriku Main Line at Naoetsu Station in Niigata Prefecture...
, and Iiyama Line
Iiyama Line
The is a railway line in Japan linking Toyono Station in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture and Echigo-Kawaguchi Station in Nagaoka, Niigata Prefecture. It is operated by East Japan Railway Company .- Stations :-External links:*...
. The JR
Japan Railways
The Japan Railways Group, more commonly known as , consists of seven for-profit companies that took over most of the assets and operations of the government-owned Japanese National Railways on April 1, 1987...
Chūō Main Line
Chuo Main Line
The , commonly called the Chūō Line, is one of the major trunk railway lines in Japan. It runs between Tokyo and Nagoya, although it is the slowest direct railway connection between the two cities; the coastal Tōkaidō Main Line is slightly faster, while the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is the fastest rail...
connects Nagano to the major city of Nagoya
Nagoya, Aichi
is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan.Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshu, it is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Moji...
in Aichi Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :...
.
The Nagano Electric Railway
Nagano Electric Railway
The is a private railway based in Nagano, Japan. The company and its lines are commonly referred to as .-History:Nagano Electric Railway consists of two lines in the northern part of Nagano Prefecture. The original Nagano Electric Railway was built in 1926 connecting Gondō in Nagano City with Suzaka...
also runs the Nagano Line to major sites around Nagano City and its suburbs.
The city is connected by rail south to Matsumoto
Matsumoto, Nagano
is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Matsumoto is designated as a Special City.-Outline:The new city of Matsumoto is the city comprising the mergers of the old city of Matsumoto and four villages. Matsumoto officially absorbed those villages without creating a new municipal...
via the Shinonoi Line
Shinonoi Line
The is a rail line in Japan. Part of the East Japan Railway Company, it runs from Shinonoi Station in Nagano, Nagano Prefecture to Shiojiri Station in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture.The line is a corridor between the Shinetsu Main Line and the Chūō Main Line...
, which terminates at Shinonoi Station.
Buses for Kawanaka-jima Bus and the Nagano Dentetsu Bus Co. service the city, and depart both Nagano Station and the Nagano Bus Terminal just west of the station.
The city's nearest domestic airport is Matsumoto Airport
Matsumoto Airport
Matsumoto Airport , also known as Shinshu-Matsumoto Airport, is an airport located southwest of Matsumoto, a city in the Nagano Prefecture of Japan.-Airlines and destinations:-External links:** from Nagano Prefecture* from Japan Airlines...
, connected via a 70-minute express bus from Nagano City.
Elementary Schools
Junior High Schools
- Imoi Junior High school
- Kotoku Junior High school
- Naniai Junior High School
- Sanyo Junior High School
- Seibu Junior High School
- Shinonoi-Nishi Junior High School
High Schools
Nagano Nihon University High School has one of the most well-known sports programs in Nagano prefecture. Its track and field club has taken part in a national interscholastic meet. The long distance running team took part in the national high school Ekiden championships in 2003 for the first time. Since then, the team has taken part in the national Ekiden twice, in 2004 and 2005.
In 2009 the team was able to take part in the national Ekiden once again, owning top spots in various events.
College of Technology
External links
- Nagano official website
- Nagano Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Nagano 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games official website
- Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
- Nagano Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
- yudanaka-spa
- Zenkoji Official Site
- Shinto shrine in Nagano
- Nature, Culture & Technology Issues & Activities around Nagano