Recommended sushi restaurants in Nagano, Japan

Recommended sushi restaurants in Nagano, Japan

Recommended conveyor belt sushi restaurants in Nagano, Japan

Characteristics of Nagano’s Cuisine

The Rich Landscape of Shinshu, Woven by Nature and People, Nagano
Nagano Prefecture is an inland prefecture located in the Chubu region. Surrounded by majestic mountains and formed by the basins and rivers flowing through them, Nagano boasts a rich natural environment. It is home to some of Japan’s most famous mountain ranges, including the Central Alps, Southern Alps, and Northern Alps. Major rivers like the Chikuma River, Sai River, and Tenryu River flow through the prefecture, providing abundant water resources.
Nagano is a region where agriculture, industry, and tourism are well-balanced and thriving. Its agriculture is known nationwide for producing famous specialties such as apples, grapes, and soba (buckwheat noodles). Its industries include precision machinery, textiles, and food processing. Tourism in Nagano is popular for skiing, hot springs, and natural scenery.
Nagano has a population of about 2 million people, with Nagano City as the prefectural capital, and core cities like Matsumoto City and Iida City. Recently, the number of people moving to Nagano has been increasing, helping to stem population decline.
Nagano offers a rich living environment where nature and people harmonize. Looking ahead, it aims for sustainable development by leveraging its charms.

The Time-Honored History of Shinshu
Nagano has been inhabited since ancient times, with numerous Jomon and Yayoi archaeological sites discovered, highlighting its long history.
In ancient times, it was called Koshinokuni, where regional administration was conducted under the Ritsuryo system. Through the Kamakura to the Warring States period, notable warlords such as the Takeda and Uesugi clans ruled the area.
During the Edo period, known as Shinano Province, it was a mix of shogunate territories, daimyo domains, and temple lands. It thrived as a port town for Kitamaebune ships, especially around Zenkoji Temple.
From the Meiji period onward, modernization progressed with the development of railways and roads. Agriculture and industry also developed, making Nagano one of Japan’s leading economic prefectures today.
Nagano is a region where traditional culture handed down through generations and modern culture born from modernization blend uniquely.

The Unique Culinary Culture of Shinshu, Shaped by Its Rich History and Culture
Nagano, with its magnificent nature and rich history and culture, has developed a unique food culture.
Soba, nurtured by Nagano’s rich natural environment, is a long-cherished ingredient. Handmade “Shinshu soba” is known for its aromatic and uniquely textured noodles.
Nozawana pickles, made from traditional vegetables grown in the northern part of Nagano, are fermented and pickled. They are known for their crisp texture and unique flavor, representing one of Nagano’s traditional dishes.
Shinshu Premium Beef, selected from Nagano’s black cattle meeting strict criteria, is known for its balanced marbling and tender, quality taste.
Shinshu miso, a rice miso made in Nagano, uses rice, soybeans, and salt, matured slowly in cold conditions. It has a deep flavor, used in various dishes like miso soup and stews.
Additionally, apples, wine, dairy products, and other unique ingredients and dishes abound in Nagano.
When visiting Nagano, be sure to savor the unique culinary culture of the region.

The Unique Sushi Culture Born from Shinshu’s Climate
Despite being a landlocked prefecture, Nagano has developed its own unique sushi culture.
In the Edo period, Nagano prospered as a port for Kitamaebune ships, bringing fresh seafood from the sea. Mountainous areas provided rice, vegetables, and wild plants. Utilizing these ingredients, Nagano developed its unique sushi culture.
Nagano sushi is distinct from Edo-mae sushi, using grain or red vinegar instead of rice vinegar for the sushi rice. Toppings include not only fresh seafood but also local ingredients like wild plants and mushrooms.
There are various sushi restaurants in Nagano, from traditional to modern interpretations. When visiting Nagano, don’t miss the chance to experience its unique sushi.

Shinshu’s Treasures: Specialty Products Born from Its Rich History and Culture
Nagano is blessed with unique specialty products, nurtured by its magnificent nature and rich history and culture.
The climate, with significant temperature variations and low rainfall, is ideal for fruit cultivation, making Nagano a major producer of apples, grapes, peaches, and more. The “Shinshu Apple” is especially famous for its crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor.
This climate and abundant water resources also produce high-quality vegetables. Nozawana pickles, a traditional vegetable from northern Nagano, fermented and pickled, are known for their crisp texture and unique flavor, representing one of Nagano’s traditional dishes.
Soba, a long-cherished ingredient in Nagano, is used to make “Shinshu Soba,” known for its aroma and unique texture.
Other notable products include Shinshu Premium Beef, Shinshu Miso, and Yawataya Isogoro’s shichimi togarashi (seven-flavor chili pepper), showcasing Nagano’s unique specialty products.
When visiting Nagano, be sure to enjoy these delicious local specialty products.