List of Famous people born in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Shihomi Shinya is a Japanese speed skater. She competed in the women's 500 metres at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Manami Mitsuboshi is a Japanese freestyle skier, specializing in halfpipe.

Toshimi Kitazawa is a previous Japanese defence minister. He is a politician of the Democratic Party of Japan, a member of the House of Councillors in the Diet. A native of Nagano, Nagano and graduate of Waseda University, he was elected to the House of Councillors for the first time in 1992 after serving in the assembly of Nagano Prefecture for five terms. He had joined the Democratic Party of Japan in 1998. On 16 September 2009; Kitazawa was appointed as the Minister of Defence by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama. He was re-appointed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan in the cabinet shift, and was the Minister of Defence until 2 September 2011.

Dir En Grey is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in February 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. With a consistent lineup of guitarists Kaoru and Die, vocalist Kyo, drummer Shinya and bassist Toshiya, they have released ten full-length records. Numerous stylistic changes have made the genre of their music difficult to determine, though it is generally considered to be a form of metal. Originally a visual kei band, the members later opted for more subtle attire, but have continued to maintain a dramatic image on stage. However the band, especially vocalist Kyo, adopted a more visual look once again, usually sporting dramatic makeup looks and stylish costumes.

Honami 'Amy' Furuhara, known professionally as Aaamyyy is a Japanese electronic musician. Originally a member of electronic pop groups Go Retro and Eimie, Furuhara began working with the psychedelic rock band Tempalay from 2015, and starting a solo career in 2017.

Syun-Ichi Akasofu is the founding director of the International Arctic Research Center of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), serving in that position from the center's establishment in 1998 until January 2007. Previously he had been director of the university's Geophysical Institute from 1986.

Yoshikatsu Takeiri is a Japanese politician who served as the third chair of Komeito from 1967 to 1986, making him the longest serving leader in the party's history.