Minowa, Nagano

 is a town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 25,051 in 9737 households, and a population density of 290 persons per km². The total area of the town is .
Geography.
Minowa is located in the Ina Valley of south-central Nagano Prefecture, bordered by the Kiso Mountains to the north. The Tenryū River flows through the town. Minowa Dam is located in the town.
Demographics.
Per Japanese census data, the population of Minowa has increased over the past 40 years.
Climate.
The town has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and cold winters (Köppen climate classification "Cfa"). The average annual temperature in Minowa is 11.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1342 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 24.3 °C, and lowest in January, at around -1.0 °C.
History.
The area of present-day Minowa was part of ancient Shinano Province. The villages of Nakaminowa, Minowa and Higashiminowa were established on April 1, 1889 by the establishment of the modern municipalities system, Nakaminowa was elevated to town status on November 3, 1948. Nakaminowa, Minowa and Higashiminowa merged to form the town of Minowa on January 1, 1955.
Education.
Minowa has five public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government, and one high school operated the Nagano Prefectural Board of Education.