[2] Nagano Prefecture has a population of 2,007,682 (as of 1 July 2023[update]) and has a geographic area of 13,561.56 square kilometres (5,236.15 sq mi).

It is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, with direct services to Tokyo, Toyama, and Kanazawa.

The climate is predominantly alpine with warm summers, cold snowy winters and less intense humidity than the lower lying coastal areas.

[4] Nineteen cities are located in Nagano Prefecture: These are the towns and villages in each district: The life expectancy in Nagano prefecture is the longest nationwide with the average life expectancy of 87.18 years for women and 80.88 years for men.

[6] Nagano Prefecture has a large and diversified economy, with a strong focus on electronics, information technology, precision machinery, agriculture and food products, and tourism, with a total GDP of about ¥8.5 trillion (2017).