The prefectural capital is Nagano.
Nagano Prefecture does not face the sea. And eight prefectures are adjoined. As for geographical feature, the high mountain with an altitude of 3000 m ranges. The beautiful mountains resemble the Alps in Switzerland. And it is loved in the name of the north Alps, the central Alps, and Minami-Alps. The area of Nagano Prefecture is the 4th in Japan.
The food manufacturing industry of sake, wine, and bean paste is prosperous in Nagano Prefecture. Moreover, vegetables and fruit are prosperous in agriculture. Since Nagano Prefecture is close to metropolises, such as Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, it is possible to ship agricultural products early. Therefore, agricultural products are the quantity of production of Japanese top class.
A cities, towns and villages list is here.
| Ranking of Nagano | ||
| Item | National ranking | Outline |
| Area (2009) | The 4st place | 13,105 square kilometers |
| The number of cities, wards, towns, and villages (2010) | The 2st place | 77 cities, towns and villages |
| Population (2008) | The 16th place | 2,176,806 persons |
| Number of households (2008) | The 16th place | 804784 households |
| People-of-the-prefecture gross product (substance) (2007) | The 15th place | 9,755,284 (unit: 1 million yen) |