The northern area is affected by the Japan sea, which causes a heavier snow fall than the rest of Shinshu, and it is an ideal place for all kinds of winter sports.

The southern area is next to Shizuoka prefecture, which is mild and warm. Shinshu is a country with a variety of characters and charms.

Nagano - the prefectural capital and famous for Zenkoji, a Buddhist temple.
Matsumoto - features one of Japan's top three castles.

Although Nagano is the prefectural capital, Matsumoto is comparable to Nagano in various aspects and these two cities play their own cultural and economic roles.