長野
Nagano
長野 · ながの
Prefecture
Chubu
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Long Field"
True Etymology
The name straightforwardly describes the geography: a long (長) valley or plain (野) stretching along the Chikuma River basin. The Nagano basin, flanked by the Japanese Alps, forms an elongated lowland that gave rise to the descriptive name.
Alternative Theory
Some scholars note that 'naga' may derive from an older word meaning 'flowing' rather than 'long,' referencing the river that runs through the plain. This would make the name 'river-plain' rather than 'long plain.'
Key Facts
| Capital | Nagano City |
|---|---|
| Region | Chubu |
| Reading | ながの |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Matsushiro Domain, Ueda Domain, Komoro Domain |
| Domain Lords | Sanada clan (真田氏), Makino clan (牧野氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |