# Shinano River

> longest river of Japan

**Wikidata**: [Q734455](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q734455)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinano_River)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shinano-river

## Summary
The Shinano River is the longest river in Japan, stretching across the central part of Honshu. It flows through Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma Prefectures, playing a vital role in regional water supply, agriculture, and transportation.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: River (natural watercourse)
- **Length**: Longest in Japan
- **Aliases**: Chikuma River
- **Location**: Flows through Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma Prefectures in Japan
- **Coordinates**: 37.388056, 138.810833 and 37.943279, 139.065456
- **Connected Entities**:
  - Related to **Shinano Province**, a historical province of Japan
  - Associated with **Chikuma**, a 1938 Tone-class cruiser named after the river
- **Country**: Japan (island country in East Asia)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Shinano River
- **Wikidata Description**: Longest river of Japan
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

### What is the Shinano River?
The Shinano River is the longest river in Japan. It flows through central Honshu, passing through Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma Prefectures, and is essential for regional water supply and agriculture.

### Where is the Shinano River located?
The river flows through Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma Prefectures in Japan. Its coordinates include 37.388056, 138.810833 and 37.943279, 139.065456.

### Why is it also called the Chikuma River?
"Chikuma River" is an alias for the Shinano River. The name is also shared with a 1938 Tone-class cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy.

### What is the significance of the name "Shinano"?
The name is derived from Shinano Province, a historical province of Japan through which the river flows.

### How long is the Shinano River?
It is the longest river in Japan, though the exact length is not specified in the source material.

### What is the Shinano River used for?
It supports water supply, agriculture, and transportation in central Japan. It also holds cultural and historical significance.

### Is the Shinano River connected to any historical or military references?
Yes, the name "Chikuma" was also used for a Tone-class cruiser launched in 1938.

## Why It Matters
The Shinano River is significant as Japan's longest river, serving as a critical water source for agriculture, industry, and domestic use in central Honshu. Its basin supports regional economies and ecosystems, and its name carries historical weight, linking it to both ancient provinces and modern infrastructure. The river also contributes to Japan's cultural identity, appearing in historical texts and even inspiring naval namesakes.

## Notable For
- Being the longest river in Japan
- Flowing through three major prefectures: Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma
- Sharing its name with a historical Tone-class cruiser
- Being associated with the historical Shinano Province
- Supporting key agricultural and urban regions in central Japan

## Body

### Geography and Location
The Shinano River flows through central Honshu, traversing Niigata, Nagano, and Gunma Prefectures. These regions are part of Japan, an island country in East Asia with a population of approximately 123.8 million as of October 2024. The river originates in mountainous areas and flows into the Sea of Japan, making it a key geographic feature of the region.

### Historical and Cultural Significance
The river's name is tied to Shinano Province, a historical province of Japan. This connection underscores its cultural and historical importance. The name "Chikuma River" is also used as an alias, and the same name was given to a Tone-class cruiser launched in 1938, linking the river to Japan's naval history.

### Environmental and Economic Role
As the longest river in Japan, the Shinano River plays a crucial role in water supply, agriculture, and regional transportation. It supports irrigation systems and provides water for domestic and industrial use in central Honshu. Its basin is home to significant agricultural production and urban centers.

### Related Entities
- **Niigata Prefecture**: A major prefecture through which the river flows, known for its rice production and coastal economy.
- **Nagano Prefecture**: A landlocked region with historical significance and proximity to the Japanese Alps.
- **Gunma Prefecture**: Known for its hot springs and mountainous terrain, also traversed by the river.
- **Shinano Province**: The historical province after which the river is partially named.
- **Chikuma (cruiser)**: A 1938 Tone-class cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, named after the river.

### Data and Metadata
- **Aliases**: Chikuma River
- **Coordinates**: 37.388056, 138.810833 and 37.943456, 139.065456
- **Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Wikipedia Title**: Shinano River
- **Wikidata Description**: Longest river of Japan

### Administrative and Political Context
The river flows through three Japanese prefectures, each with its own administrative history:
- **Niigata Prefecture**: Established in 1870–1871.
- **Nagano Prefecture**: Established in 1871.
- **Gunma Prefecture**: Established in 1871.

All are part of Japan, a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a complex administrative structure and a rich cultural heritage.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana