- Nagano, Nagano
-
For other uses, see Nagano (disambiguation).
Nagano
長野— Core city — 長野市 · Nagano City Downtown Nagano
FlagLocation of Nagano in Nagano Prefecture
NaganoCoordinates: 36°38′N 138°11′E / 36.633°N 138.183°ECoordinates: 36°38′N 138°11′E / 36.633°N 138.183°E Country Japan Region Chūbu Prefecture Nagano Prefecture Government – Mayor Shōichi Washizawa Area – Total 834.85 km2 (322.3 sq mi) Population (April 1, 2011[1]) – Total 387,146 – Density 463.7/km2 (1,201.1/sq mi) Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) Phone number 26-226-4911 Address 1613 Midori-chō, Nagano-shi, Nagano-ken
380-8512Website City of Nagano Nagano (長野市 Nagano-shi), 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 Japanese 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.[2]
Contents
Description
Nagano is most famous for Zenkō-ji, 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.
Geography
Surrounding municipalities
- All but the city of Myōkō are within Nagano Prefecture.
- North - Towns of Shinano and Iizuna and city of Myōkō, Niigata Prefecture
- East - Cities of Nakano and Suzaka and town of Obuse
- South - Cities of Ueda and Chikuma
- Southwest - City of Ōmachi and villages of Omi, Chikuhoku and Ikusaka
- West - Village of Ogawa
- Northwest -Villages of Hakuba and Otari
- Northeast -Yamanouchi Area & Village of Yudanaka
Climate
Like most of Honshū, Nagano has a humid subtropical climate, 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.
Climate data for Nagano, Japan (1981～2010) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 18.1
(64.6)22.5
(72.5)24.4
(75.9)30.8
(87.4)32.6
(90.7)35.6
(96.1)37.9
(100.2)38.7
(101.7)36.3
(97.3)32.2
(90.0)26.2
(79.2)21.3
(70.3)38.7
(101.7)Average high °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3)4.7
(40.5)9.5
(49.1)17.3
(63.1)22.5
(72.5)25.7
(78.3)29.1
(84.4)31.0
(87.8)25.6
(78.1)19.2
(66.6)13.0
(55.4)6.8
(44.2)17.3 Average low °C (°F) −4.1
(24.6)−3.8
(25.2)−0.8
(30.6)4.9
(40.8)10.5
(50.9)15.8
(60.4)20.0
(68.0)21.3
(70.3)16.9
(62.4)9.7
(49.5)3.1
(37.6)−1.6
(29.1)7.66 Record low °C (°F) −17
(1)−16.4
(2.5)−14.6
(5.7)−6.5
(20.3)−1.8
(28.8)3.9
(39.0)10.2
(50.4)10.7
(51.3)5.5
(41.9)−1.9
(28.6)−11.4
(11.5)−15.2
(4.6)−17
(1)Precipitation mm (inches) 51.1
(2.012)49.8
(1.961)59.4
(2.339)53.9
(2.122)75.1
(2.957)109.2
(4.299)134.4
(5.291)97.8
(3.85)129.4
(5.094)82.8
(3.26)44.3
(1.744)45.5
(1.791)932.7
(36.72)Snowfall cm (inches) 98
(38.6)82
(32.3)27
(10.6)3
(1.2)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)0
(0)2
(0.8)45
(17.7)257
(101.2)% humidity 78 74 68 61 64 70 74 72 74 75 76 77 71.9 Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.5 mm) 13.0 11.5 12.0 9.2 10.0 11.4 13.1 9.8 11.7 9.1 8.6 10.4 129.8 Avg. snowy days 22.9 19.6 8.2 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 10.8 63 Sunshine hours 127.2 131.3 168.5 198.3 207.3 162.2 168.8 204.3 141.7 152.4 139.1 135.6 1,936.7 Source no. 1: Japan Meteorological Agency[3] Source no. 2: Japan Meteorological Agency (records)[4] 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 Province.
- Zenkō-ji relocated from the current city of Iida. (642). Afterwards, the town of Monzen becomes one of the motel towns of Hokkoku Kaidō.
- The Battles of Kawanakajima 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 Headquarters (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 Olympics and the 1998 Winter Paralympics (1998)
- Became a core city (1999)
- Due to the Biggest Mergers in Heisei Era, the city absorbed the municipalities of the town of Toyono, and the village of Togakushi, and Kinasa (from Kamiminochi District), and the village of Ōoka (from Sarashina District).
- Hosted the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Municipal timeline
- April 1, 1897 - The first city of Nagano was founded. (Nagano became the first city founded in Nagano Prefecture and the 43rd city in Japan).
- 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 District (Toyono, Togakushi, and Kinasa) and Sarashina District (Ooka).
- January 1, 2010 - The city absorbed the town of Shinshūshinmachi and the village of Nakajō from Kamiminochi District.[5]
1998 Winter Olympics
Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics 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.
Sightseeing
Zenkō-ji, ancient temple in Nagano
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.
Transportation
The city's main railway hub, Nagano Station, 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.
Education
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 (Japanese)
- Nagano Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Nagano 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games official website
- Shiga Kogen Ski Resort
- Nagano Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Japanese)
- yudanaka-spa (Japanese)
- Zenkoji Official Site (Japanese)
- Shinto shrine in Nagano (Japanese)
- Nature, Culture & Technology Issues & Activities around Nagano
References
- ^ "市政情報 > 市の沿革・概要 > 人口・面積・自然" (in Japanese). Nagano official website. Nagano City. http://www.city.nagano.nagano.jp/pcp_portal/PortalServlet?DISPLAY_ID=DIRECT&NEXT_DISPLAY_ID=U000004&CONTENTS_ID=5451. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ^ Nikkei news service, Powerful Quake Hits Japan's Nagano Prefecture, March 11 2011, http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110311D11JF352.htm
- ^ "平年値（年・月ごとの値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=19&prec_ch=%8B%FA%98H%8Ex%92%A1&block_no=47610&block_ch=%8B%FA%98H&year=&month=&day=&elm=normal&view=. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
- ^ "観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）". Japan Meteorological Agency. http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=19&prec_ch=%8B%FA%98H%8Ex%92%A1&block_no=47610&block_ch=%8B%FA%98H&year=&month=&day=&elm=rank&view=. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
- ^ "長野市・信州新町・中条村合併後調査報告について" (in Japanese). Nagano official website. Nagano City. http://www.city.nagano.nagano.jp/pcp_portal/PortalServlet?DISPLAY_ID=DIRECT&NEXT_DISPLAY_ID=U000004&CONTENTS_ID=13354. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
Nagano PrefectureCities Districts See also: Towns and villages by districtMetropolitan cities of Japan Tokyo Metropolis Designated cities Core cities Akita · Amagasaki · Aomori · Asahikawa · Fukuyama · Funabashi · Gifu · Hakodate · Higashiōsaka · Himeji · Iwaki · Kagoshima · Kanazawa · Kashiwa · Kawagoe · Kōchi · Kōriyama · Kumamoto · Kurashiki · Kurume · Maebashi · Matsuyama · Miyazaki · Morioka · Nagano · Nagasaki · Nara · Nishinomiya · Ōita · Okazaki · Ōtsu · Shimonoseki · Takamatsu · Takasaki · Takatsuki · Toyama · Toyohashi · Toyota · Utsunomiya · Wakayama · YokosukaSpecial cities Akashi · Atsugi · Chigasaki · Fuji · Fukui · Hachinohe · Hirakata · Hiratsuka · Ibaraki · Ichinomiya · Isesaki · Jōetsu · Kakogawa · Kasugai · Kasukabe · Kawaguchi · Kishiwada · Kōfu · Koshigaya · Kumagaya · Kure · Matsumoto · Mito · Nagaoka · Neyagawa · Numazu · Odawara · Ōta · Sasebo · Sōka · Suita · Takarazuka · Tokorozawa · Tottori · Toyonaka · Tsukuba · Yamagata · Yamato · Yao · YokkaichiPrefectural capitals
(not included above)Winter Olympic Games host cities 1924: Chamonix • 1928: St. Moritz • 1932: Lake Placid • 1936: Garmisch-Partenkirchen • 1940 & 1944: No games due to World War II • 1948: St. Moritz • 1952: Oslo • 1956: Cortina d'Ampezzo • 1960: Squaw Valley • 1964: Innsbruck • 1968: Grenoble • 1972: Sapporo • 1976: Innsbruck • 1980: Lake Placid • 1984: Sarajevo • 1988: Calgary • 1992: Albertville • 1994: Lillehammer • 1998: Nagano • 2002: Salt Lake City • 2006: Turin • 2010: Vancouver • 2014: Sochi • 2018: Pyeongchang
Winter Paralympic Games host cities Categories:- Host cities of the Winter Olympic Games
- Winter Paralympic Games
- Cities in Nagano Prefecture
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
