Nagano Prefecture is located in the Chubu region of Japan, and is known for its abundant nature and beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.

The area is surrounded by the Japanese Alps, and you can enjoy activities such as mountain climbing and skiing, as well as hot springs.

There are also many historical buildings such as Zenkoji Temple and Matsumoto Castle, making it a culturally rich area. It is the perfect place for people who want to experience Japanese culture and those who love traditional architecture.

In this article, we will provide a thorough explanation of this charming local B-class gourmet food of Nagano Prefecture: Shinshu Salmon!

What is Shinshu Salmon?

Shinshu salmon is farmed in Nagano Prefecture and is a hybrid of rainbow trout and brown trout, a large salmonid fish.

It was developed to provide fresh salmon even in the sea-stricken Nagano Prefecture. Grown in the pure, delicious waters of Shinshu, the salmon is characterized by its fatty flesh and moderate elasticity.

It has no fishy smell or peculiar taste even when eaten raw, and can be enjoyed as sashimi, sushi, carpaccio, etc. It is also suitable for grilling and simmering, and is popular as a high-quality ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Shinshu salmon is a regional specialty served at local restaurants and direct sales outlets, and is also extremely popular with tourists.

The History of Shinshu Salmon

Shinshu salmon is a relatively new food ingredient that began development in 2004. It was developed so that Nagano Prefecture, despite being a landlocked prefecture, could provide fresh fish, and the Nagano Prefectural Fisheries Experiment Station took the lead in crossbreeding cold-water fish rainbow trout and brown trout to create a hybrid with a salmon-like flavor and texture.

In 2007, it was officially branded as "Shinshu Salmon" and began to be sold on the market, where it remains to this day.

Today, thanks to its high quality and environmentally friendly farming methods, it is used in restaurants both locally and across the country and has become a specialty product representative of Nagano Prefecture.

Characteristics of Shinshu Salmon

The characteristics of Shinshu salmon are its high quality and ease of eating.

First of all, by crossing rainbow trout and brown trout, we have achieved the fatty texture and firmness that are characteristic of salmon.

You might imagine that salmon can have a strong flavor depending on how fatty it is, but this Shinshu salmon has just the right amount of fat and is not very flavorful, making it ideal for eating raw as sashimi or sushi.

Another attractive feature is that it is farmed in the clear, cold waters of Shinshu, making it safe, secure, and of high quality.

Because it is raised in freshwater, it has a lighter flavor than regular saltwater salmon, and is used in a wide range of dishes, from sashimi and carpaccio to grilled and stewed dishes.

Tourist spots in Nagano Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some tourist spots in Nagano Prefecture.

Lake Suwa

Lake Suwa is located in the center of Nagano Prefecture, and although there are several lakes in the prefecture, it is the largest in area.

The lake, which has a circumference of about 16km, is famous as a tourist destination where you can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons.

Many spectators visit the lake throughout the year, with fireworks displays held in the summer and the much talked about "Omiwatari" phenomenon in winter, when the lake surface completely freezes over.

Lake Suwa is also famous as a great spot for smelt fishing, and is an attractive destination that attracts many tourists throughout the year.

There are many hot springs around the lake and many relaxing spots where you can relieve the fatigue of everyday life.

Kamikochi

Kamikochi is a mountain tourist destination located in the Northern Alps of Nagano Prefecture.

Surrounded by the Hotaka mountain range and Mount Yakedake, the majestic nature and beautiful scenery with the Azusa River flowing through it are soothing to look at. The view from the Kappa Bridge area is particularly spectacular, and you can enjoy mountain climbing and hiking throughout the four seasons, making it popular with tourists from both Japan and abroad.

In order to protect the natural environment, Kamikochi restricts public vehicle traffic, preserving a tranquil environment.

You can experience the rich vegetation and wildlife and spend a relaxing time here.

Venus Line

Venus Line is a spectacular driving course stretching approximately 76km through the beautiful highlands of Nagano Prefecture.

The route passes through Kirigamine and Utsukushigahara Plateau at altitudes of 1,400 to 2,000 meters, allowing you to enjoy magnificent panoramas in all four seasons.

It is a spectacular spot where alpine plants bloom from spring to summer, autumn leaves bloom in autumn, and snowscapes spread out in winter.

The spectacular mountain ranges and grassland scenery seen from the train windows are particularly appealing, making the area a popular destination for cycling and hiking.

Access to Nagano Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Nagano Prefecture.

To get to Nagano from Tokyo, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. It's easy to get to, as you can go directly from Tokyo Station to Nagano Station. The journey takes about an hour and a half.

To get to Nagano Prefecture from Osaka, we recommend taking an express bus. There are express buses that go from Osaka Umeda Station to Matsumoto Station, and buses that go from Osaka Umeda Station to Matsumoto Station with a transfer at Nagoya Station. The advantage of this option is that it is cheaper to get there than other modes of transportation.

Location of Nagano Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the history and characteristics of Nagano Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Shinshu Salmon."

I learned that Shinshu salmon is a cross between rainbow trout and brown trout, and was developed to make fresh salmon available in inland Nagano Prefecture.

In addition to Shinshu Salmon, Nagano Prefecture has many other attractive ingredients and tourist spots. We hope you will visit Nagano Prefecture at least once!

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