The longest river in Japan is the Shinano River.

Long, however, is relative. Shinano Gawa is 367 kilometers long (225miles). By contrast, the Mississippi is 10 times longer, the Danube is 7.5 times longer and the Rhine is 4 times longer.

The Shinano River starts in mountains of Nagano of Olympic’s fame. I have been there many many times. These Japanese Alps also divide the country. The Shinano River ends, and here is where it gets personal, in Niigata City where it flows into the Japan Sea.

It is a mellow an peaceful river…I have never seen rapids on it anywhere. It is indicative of Japan and her desire for peace throughout the world.

Leave your raft at home but bring a blanket. Every summer we sit on the side of the Shinano and watch the annual fireworks that simply cannot be beaten anywhere.

It is a bonding time that the Japanese love. Are you planning to visit Japan? Come in early August, ask someone to take you to see the fireworks on the Shinano. Watch our for the sake. (The sa sounds like so in sod. And the ke sounds like the ke in Ken.)

Say it right, and your Japanese business partner will think you are in the know.