Tsunan, Mountain town in Niigata Prefecture, Japan
Tsunan is a town situated on a river terrace of the Shinano River surrounded by mountains, with Mount Naeba towering at 2143 meters nearby. The settlement spreads across an elevation of 241 meters, shaped by steep terrain and forested slopes that define its mountain character.
The town came into being in 1955 through the merger of six villages: Tomaru, Kamigo, Ashigasaki, Akinari, Nakafukami, and Shimofunato. This consolidation created the administrative foundation that continues to shape the region today.
The town hosts the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, a major art festival that brings contemporary installations across the region. Visitors can experience how art and nature blend into the local landscape and daily rhythm.
The town is accessible by JR East Iiyama Line trains, which stop at four stations and connect to larger cities in the region. Three national routes (117, 353, and 405) also pass through the area, making car travel convenient.
The region receives heavy snowfall of around four meters in winter, remaining covered for approximately five months each year. This extreme winter snow shapes the landscape and way of life throughout the year.
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