Shinano no Kuni

"Shinano no Kuni" (信濃の国) is the prefecture song of Nagano Prefecture, Japan, created for educational purposes. Because of its popular appearance in public areas such as train stations and TV programs, more than half of adults who grew up in the prefecture can sing at least one of its stanzas. Sometimes the song is used (half jestingly) to test one's patriotism to the region. The song was played during the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics to accompany the Parade of Nations. Shinano no kuni is the Japanese name for the old Shinano Province, to which the current Nagano prefecture is contiguous.

The song was created in 1900, and was officially designated as Nagano's prefectural song on 20 May 1968. The lyrics were written by Asai Retsu (浅井洌), a Nagano-born teacher, and the tune was composed by Kitamura Sueharu (北村季晴). It consists of a total of six stanzas, the fourth having a different melody and tempo from the rest. It is said that the reason why the fourth verse is different is to add emotion.

The lyrics are divided into sections as follows: An overview of the geography of Nagano Prefecture mountains and rivers industry Historic Site/Scenic Beauty Notable people from Nagano Usui Pass and the railway (Shinetsu Main Line opened several years before the composition), concluding