Nagano Prefecture celebrates 150th anniversary with regional festivities

Nagano Prefecture held a series of commemorative events on August 21 to celebrate its 150th anniversary, marking the date in 1876 when it was formed through the merger with Chikuma Prefecture. Under the theme ‘Connecting Nagano Prefecture,’ the celebrations utilized online technology to link the main venue at the Matsumoto City Music Culture Hall with satellite locations in cities such as Suzaka, Ueda, and Ina.

Participants across the various venues joined together in a large-scale chorus of the prefectural song, ‘Shinano no Kuni.’ The festivities included performances by local groups, such as the Shimojo Kabuki preservation society, and a talk show featuring Olympic and Paralympic athletes associated with the region.

As part of the anniversary initiatives, the prefecture also announced winners of a campaign to create original lyrics for ‘Shinano no Kuni.’ The selected lyrics, which incorporate local culture and cuisine, were presented alongside special performances, including a winning Yosakoi dance routine designed to symbolize the unity of the prefecture.