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Tower Semiconductor is preparing a major expansion of its Japanese manufacturing operations, including the return of semiconductor production to its Arai facility in Myoko, Niigata Prefecture. The project will increase capacity for advanced semiconductors used in AI data centres, high-speed communications and next-generation optical connectivity. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry certified the company’s supply assurance plan on July 14th. METI estimates total pr

Alpico Holdings has established a wholly owned subsidiary to coordinate real estate development, asset management and related commercial operations across the Nagano-based group. Alpico Asset Design Co., Ltd. was established on June 15, 2026, and is headquartered in Matsumoto. Its official remit covers real estate management and development, together with the oversight and operation of food, retail and service businesses. A familiar network of Nagano businesses Alpico Holding

Myoko is set to join the global trail running circuit in 2026, as Patience Capital Group moves to position the Niigata mountain resort area as a year-round outdoor sports destination. Singapore-based Patience Capital Group announced on May 20th that Myoko City will host MYOKO TRAIL, race number 6 in the GOLDEN TRAIL WORLD SERIES, on September 19th and 20th, 2026. The event will be held at Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort, with courses set against views of Mount Myoko and Lake Noji

A new collaboration between the Karuizawa Hoshino Area resort district and Shinano Railway will bring a culinary twist to sightseeing rail travel in central Japan. Beginning in May 2026, the partners will launch a seasonal dining experience aboard the Rokumon sightseeing train, combining regional cuisine with panoramic rail journeys through Nagano Prefecture. Rokumon train photo courtesy of PR Times press release linked at the bottom of this article. The initiative introduces

On March 17, the Nikkei Shimbun reported on newly released 2026 official land price data from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), showing that land values in Nagano Prefecture continued to rise, driven by strong demand in internationally recognized ski destinations such as Hakuba and Nozawa Onsen, alongside sustained migration-led demand in Karuizawa. Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture. Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash The tre

On March 17th, local newspaper the Niigata-Nippo published that Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) released its 2026 official land price data, revealing a widening gap between Niigata prefecture’s broader market and its emerging resort hotspots. Photo by Hamish Duncan on Unsplash Akakura in Myoko City recorded a 7.1% year-on-year increase in commercial land prices, the highest in the prefecture and the first time it has ranked number one

On March 10th, the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Nagano City’s partnership with global real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) forms part of a broader strategy to stimulate UIJ-turn migration, a Japan-specific policy framework describing how people relocate from large metropolitan areas to regional cities. For decades, the Greater Tokyo Area has attracted a disproportionate share of young workers and university graduates from regional prefectures. The resulting conc

Japan’s tourism surge reached record levels in 2025, with arrivals exceeding 40 million. A weaker yen has boosted international travel and pushed visitor flows into regional destinations like Nozawa Onsen. While demand is rising, so are signs of crowding, higher prices, and infrastructure strain. Patrick Falk reports from Nozawa Onsen for Al Jazeera. Key Points Nozawa Onsen is depicted under strain from heavy crowds and long queues The village’s mix of traditional ryokan, ski

Shinano Railway will add three temporary rapid trains per day in each direction on its Kita-Shinano Line during January and February 2026, increasing rail capacity between Nagano and the Myoko Kogen area during the winter season. The railway announced on November 25th that the additional services will operate daily from January 1st through February 28th, 2026. Shinano Railway’s published timetable shows the first rapid service leaving Nagano at 9:09 a.m. and arriving at Myoko

On November 27 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported the results on a performance survey of companies in Niigata and Nagano for fiscal 2024 (April 2024 to March 2025), compiled by Teikoku Databank’s regional offices. The results showed that just under 30% of firms in both prefectures posted increases in both revenue and profit. Nagano City skyline courtesy of Photo by Aoi on Unsplash. In Niigata, 29.4% of companies reported higher revenue and profit, surpassing the share of firms

On November 12th, Wealth Management announced that construction has begun on a new hotel project in Hakuba’s Echo Land district, selecting “Cassia Hakuba” as the working brand name. The development is being carried out with Banyan Group, an international hospitality company. A ground-breaking ceremony took place on October 1, and the opening is scheduled for 2028. Finished exterior CG rendering courtesy of Wealth Management’s press release, linked at the bottom of the article

On November 13 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Nagano Prefecture’s Kiso Town has launched a first-of-its-kind pilot program this autumn to carry out forest boundary clarification and cadastral surveys at the same time - a pairing long treated as separate processes in Japan. By harnessing AI that analyzes aerial imagery to estimate land boundaries with high precision, the town aims to produce legally valid cadastral maps while cutting survey time in half and reducing

On October 23 rd , Patience Capital Group announced the signing of two new properties in Japan - Madarao Kogen Hotel and Lime Resort Myoko - which will join Accor’s MGallery Collection, the group’s boutique brand of storied hotels. These signings mark a major step in Patience Capital Group’s vision to elevate Japan’s mountain regions into world-class four-season destinations. Signing ceremony in Singapore on October 23rd. From left to right: Maryanne Soo, Managing Director, G

On October 20 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Nagano-based Shinano Railway will operate a special rapid train between Karuizawa Station and Myoko Kogen Station on November 3 rd , 2025. Sample Shinano Railway train photo courtesy of the train company website. The train will make only one stop at Nagano Station, completing the journey in as little as one hour and 38 minutes - among the fastest schedules ever operated by the company. The trial run aims to assess demand for

On October 22 nd , Patience Capital Group (“PCG”) announced that its Myoko Suginohara Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture will join the Ikon Pass; a global multi-resort season pass connecting the world’s leading ski destinations, starting from the 2025-26 winter season. Expanding Ikon Pass’s Global Reach in Asia The Ikon Pass, operated by Denver-based Alterra Mountain Company, is the premier international season pass for winter sports enthusiasts, offering access to more than 70

On October 21st, Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio, announced the signing of a hotel management agreement with Patience Capital Group (PCG) for a slope-side mountain hotel and residences at the foothills of Mount Myoko, within Japan’s scenic Suginohara ski resort. Artistic rendering of finished exterior courtesy of IHG & Patience Capital Group. Meant only for illustrative purposes and subject to change. The development of Six Senses Myoko

On October 7 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Tokyo Tatemono, in partnership with Anabuki Kosan, will begin the first phase of sales...

Earlier in September, Rie Kuribayashi recorded a Teams call with Adam German for a wide-ranging discussion on the inception of the school, how we got here and what the future holds for the impressive educational concern Rie has built in the Nagano prefecture over the last 14 years. Key Topics Covered Discover how Rie founded the International School of Nagano after returning from abroad and realizing the lack of international education options in her hometown. Learn about her

On September 9 th , the Nikkei Shimbun reported that Sumihei Corporation, a construction materials trading company founded in 1614 and...

The International School of Nagano (ISN) offers a unique opportunity for students to grow through nature-based learning, bilingual education, and internationally recognized academic programs. Photo courtesy of the International School of Nagano. Located in the beautiful prefecture of Nagano, ISN is an International Baccalaureate (IB) accredited school that attracts families from across Japan and around the world. A Campus Environment That Inspires Learning Surrounded by fores