is an old province of Japan that is now present day Nagano Prefecture. Its abbreviation is Shinshū . Shinano bordered on Echigo, Etchū, Hida, Kai, Kōzuke, Mikawa, Mino, Musashi, Suruga, and Tōtōmi Provinces. The ancient capital was located near modern-day Matsumoto, which became an important city of (...) (from Wikipedia)