Matsukawa, Nagano (Shimoina)

 is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 13,043 in 4364 households, and a population density of 180 persons per km². The total area of the town is . Like many other small Southern Nagano villages, it is famous for its apples.
Geography.
Located in the Ina Basin of mountainous southern Nagano Prefecture, Matsukawa is bordered to the west by the Kiso Mountains. The town stretches for 21 kilometers east-west, but is only 6 kilometers wide north-south. The Tenryū River passes through center of the town.
Demographics.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Matsukawa has remained relatively steady over the past 50 years.
Climate.
The town has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classification "Cfa"). The average annual temperature in Matsukawa is 12.2 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1583 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.65 °C, and lowest in January, at around 0.2 °C.
History.
The area of present-day Matsukawa was part of ancient Shinano Province. The modern town was established on September 20, 1956 by the merger of the village of Oshima in Shimoina District with the village of Katagiri in Kamiina District
Education.
Matsukawa has one public elementary school, one public middle school and one public combined elementary/middle school operated by the town government. The town also has one public high school operated by the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.