Nagano
prefectureskatakanagreenwhite
The flag of Nagano features a white mon emblem on a dark green field. The emblem is a stylised katakana character ナ (na), the first syllable of Nagano, rendered in a circular design with clean geometric lines. The character's upward stroke evokes mountain peaks, fitting for a prefecture nicknamed the 'Roof of Japan'. The green background represents the vast alpine forests and highland plateaus.
Nagano hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is home to Zenkō-ji, one of Japan's most important temples, founded in the 7th century before Buddhism split into sects.
Adopted: 1966
