Ina, Mountain city in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Ina is a mountain city in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, spread across several river valleys between forested slopes. Streets follow the natural lines of the valleys, and residential neighborhoods climb gently up the lower hills while main roads trace the riverbeds.
The area grew during the Edo period as a rest stop along a major trade route linking the coast to the interior. Several villages merged in 2006 to form the current administrative unit, keeping their local names alive.
The name comes from the old castle that once stood in the area, now a public park where families spend weekends. In the downtown core, traditional merchant houses stand beside modern shops, and a handful of workshops still produce paper and woodwork using longstanding methods.
The streets in the town center are flat and easy to explore on foot, but outer neighborhoods are hilly and spread out. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be aware that public transport runs less frequently in rural zones.
On clear days, you can see two major mountain ranges at once from several hilltops in town, rising on either side of the horizon. Part of the surrounding area belongs to a national network of beautiful villages that focus on preserving local landscapes.
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