Matsukawa, Nagano (Kitaazumi)
Geography. Matsukawa is located in northwestern Nagano Prefecture, in the Azumidaira plateau, bordered by the Hida Mountains to the north and west. Demographics. Per Japanese census data, the population of Matsukawa has increased steadily over the past 50 years. Climate. The village has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classification "Cfa"). The average annual temperature in Matsukawa is 10.1 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1278 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 23.4 °C, and  lowest in January, at around -2.4 °C. History. The area of present-day Matsukawa was part of ancient Shinano Province and was part of the territory controlled by Matsumoto Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate of the Edo period. The modern village of Matsukawa was established on April 1, 1889 by the establishment of the municipalities system. Education. Matsukawa has one public elementary school and one public middle school operated by the village government. The village does not have a high school.