Sakuho, Nagano Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Sakuho (佐久穂町, Sakuho-machi) is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the town had an estimated population density of 59 persons per km². The total area of the town is 188.15 square km (72.65 sq mi).

Geography Located in eastern Nagano prefecture, Sakuho stretches from west to east. It is situated in the Saku Basin, between the high peaks Mount Arafune and Mount Tateshina. The Shinano River flows through, and the mountainous parts of the town are located in the Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park and the Myogi-Arafune-Saku Kogen Quasi-National Park. • Mountains: Mount Morai • Rivers: Chikuma River, Ōishi River, Nukui River • Lakes: Futago Pond, Shirakoma Pond.

Surrounding municipalities Nagano Prefecture ◦ Chino ◦ Saku ◦ Kitaaiki ◦ Koumi; Gunma Prefecture ◦ Nanmoku ◦ Ueno.

Demographics Per Japanese census data, the population of Sakuho has declined gradually over the past 50 years.

History The area of present-day Sakuho was part of ancient Shinano Province. The villages of Kaisei and Sakai were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, merging to form the town of Sakuho on February 1, 1955. Sakuho was created by the merger of Saku and the village of Yachiho on March 20, 2005.

Education Sakuho has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the city government. The town does not have a high school.

Transport: Rail • East Japan Railway Company - Koumi Line ◦ Haguroshita - Aonuma - Usuda - Tatsuokajō.

Transport: Road • National Route 141 • National Route 299.

Local attractions • Togyū Okumura Memorial Museum.