Sakae, Mountain village in Shimominochi district, Japan
Sakae is a mountain village in Shimominochi district in northeastern Nagano Prefecture, stretching across a large area of forested peaks and valleys. The terrain rises and falls dramatically, with deep forests and ridges defining the landscape throughout the year.
The village was formed in 1956 when two separate communities merged into one administrative unit. This consolidation reflected broader changes happening across rural Japan at that time.
The village carries on traditional rural ways shaped by life in heavy snow country, where seasonal rhythms guide daily activities and building styles.
A railway line crosses through the northern part of the area and offers stations for access. Reaching and exploring this village is easiest using this rail connection, especially for visitors traveling from other regions.
A minor planet in our solar system bears the village's name, a rare honor for a small rural community in Japan. This celestial connection links the quiet mountain settlement to the vastness of space.
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