Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture (長野県 Nagano-ken^?) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshu.^[1]

The capital is the city of Nagano.^[2]
Due to the abundance of mountain ranges in this area, the land available for inhabitance is relatively limited.

Nagano was formerly known as the province of Shinano.^[3] This province was divided among many local daimyo during the Sengoku period.

Nagano is an inland prefecture and it borders more prefectures than any other in Japan. 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.

Shinano no Kuni (信濃の国) is a prefecture song of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, created for educational purposes. Because of its popular appearance in public areas such as train stations and TV programs, a large segment of the prefecture's population can remember the song.

The nagano area is the largest producer of miso in Japan accounting for 40% of the miso produced nationally.

Tourist spots:

• Lake Kizaki
• Lake Suwa
• Mount Kirigamine
• Suwa Taisha, one of the oldest shrines 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

Miso (みそ or 味噌^?) is a traditional Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting rice, barley, and/or soybeans with salt and the fungus kōjikin (麹菌^?), the most typical miso being made with soy.