Tateshina, Nagano

Tateshina (立科町, Tateshina-machi) is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 April 2019, the town had an estimated population of 7,147 in 2834 households, and a population density of 110 persons per km². The total area of the town is 66.87 square kilometres (25.82 sq mi). Tateshina is famous for its apple orchards.

Geography

Tateshina is located in the Tateshina Mountainous of central Nagano Prefecture.

Surrounding municipalities

Nagano Prefecture
- Chino
- Nagawa
- Saku
- Tōmi
- Ueda

Climate

The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classification Dwa). The average annual temperature in Tateshina is 10.4 °C (50.7 °F). The average annual rainfall is 1,069.8 mm (42.12 in) with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.0 °C (73.4 °F), and lowest in January, at around −2.1 °C (28.2 °F).

History

The area of present-day Tateshina was part of ancient Shinano Province, and Ashida-shuku developed as a post station on the Nakasendō highway connecting Edo with Kyoto. The village of Ashida, Yokotori and Mitsuwa were created with the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. These three villages merged to form the village of Tateshina on April 1, 1955. Tateshina was raised to town status on October 1, 1953.

Demographics

Per Japanese census data, the population of Tateshina has declined in recent decades.

Education

Tateshina has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one high school operated the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.