Ina, Nagano Prefecture, Chūbu Region, Japan

🇯🇵 Ina is a city located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. In 2016, the former town of Takatō, now part of Ina, was selected as one of The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan.

Geography Ina is located in south-central Nagano prefecture. It is bordered to the east by the Akaishi Mountains, including Mount Nyukasa (1955 meters), Mount Nokogiri (2685 meters), Mount Senjō (3033 meters), and Mount Shiomi (3047 meters). The Tenryū River runs through the city.

Surrounding municipalities • Nagano Prefecture: ◦ Komagane ◦ Shiojiri ◦ Suwa ◦ Chino ◦ Suwa District: Fujimi ◦ Kamiina District: Minowa, Minamiminowa, Miyada ◦ Shimoina District: Ōshika ◦ Kiso District: Kiso (town). • Yamanashi Prefecture: ◦ Minami-Alps ◦ Hokuto. • Shizuoka Prefecture: ◦ Aoi-ku, Shizuoka.

History

The area of present-day Ina was part of ancient Shinano Province. The area was part of the holdings of Takatō Domain during the Edo period and Ina developed as a jōkamachi surrounding Ina Castle and as a river port on the Tenryū River. The village of Ina was established within Ina District the creation of the municipalities system on April 1, 1889 and was raised to town status on October 15, 1897. The town of Ina merged with the villages of Tomigata, Misuzu, Tera, Higashiharuchika and Nishiminowa (all from Kitaiina District) to form the city of Ina on April 1, 1954. Ina annexed the village of Nishiharuchika in 1965. On March 31, 2006, Ina absorbed the town of Takatō, and the village of Hase (both from Kamiina District to create the new and expanded city of Ina.

Economy The economy of Ina is largely agricultural, with rice, pears, tomatoes and dairy farming as major components. The manufacturing sector includes electronics and precision instrumentation. Rubycon Corporation, an electronic components company has its headquarters in the city.

Transport: Rail • East Japan Railway Company - Iida Line ◦ Akagi - Sawando - Shimojima - Inashi - Ina-Kita.

Transport: Road • Nagano Expressway • National Route 152 • National Route 153 • National Route 361.

Local attractions • Takatō Castle.