Shinano

Looking for a great time? Then come to Shinano, the town of legend where magic is real!

Located right in the heart of the country of _______, Shinano is one of those places you simply can't miss during a visit to the country. Shinano inherited a deep maritime and academic legacy and its rich culture and folklore has attracted people from all walks in life.

Because of its pristine beaches, lush forests, a varied selection of stores and restaurants, calm roads, numerous cultural attractions, and colorful locals, your stay on Shinano will be unforgettable.

We can't wait to see you here!

Map and places

Wanderland

Legend tells that this vast forest was once inhabited by families of magi and priests and that that's why you can find multiple abandoned sacred artifacts and buildings there. It is even said that in one of those there still lives a "powerful and fearsome witch," but she's yet to be found by any of the locals.

Eda River

The Eda river crosses Shinano and splits the city in half. Three bridges connect both halves, and the construction of an additional bridge is being studied. Once a year, salmon native to the river make their run upstream, an event that locals celebrate with a week-long festival. The source of the Eda river is a sacred mountain (also called Eda) located fifty kilometres north of Shinano. Expeditions to the summit have not been successful.

The fields

Rural life becomes protagonist as you approach northern Shinano. Farmers provide the city with grain and meat, but they have to fight hard to prevent the fruit of their labor from being destroyed by creatures that come out of the surrounding forests.

Woods of Remembrance

It is believed that at least half of the trees in this forest share roots, so it's possible that they really are just one big tree. The colony is ancestral -at least fifty thousand years old-, so locals say that if you carve your name into a tree, you will never be forgotten. Visitors to the forest report that the night sky is exceptionally clear there and the Moon can be seen like nowhere else in the country.

Lake of the Fruits

A fresh water reservoir that is home to a variety of native bird species. It is believed to be fed by the Eda River through underground tunnels. People who live nearby say it has a sweet smell, hence its name.

The outskirts

The areas closest to both forests are the least populated and therefore the quietest. Near the Forest of Remembrance there's a dirt road that runs north to south and ends next to a small grocery shop near the sea. The marked area became the talk of the town when the locals heard that a local girl had fought with a utility pole and won.

The square

Shinano's famous cultural center features a library, a museum and a theater. The great clock tower is hard to miss and is the city's jewel. Improvised markets sell typical food and souvenirs. In the center of the square there's a park with a pond and a monument to the founders of Shinano. It is advised not to bathe in the pond not to drink from it.

Residential areas

Shinano is home to between five and six thousand people scattered throughout the city, not counting tourists staying in hotels. Going from west to east takes no more than an hour's walk, but there is also a tram system that connects several important points in the city, for your convenience. Some neighbourhoods are notable for their colourful buildings and winding cobblestone paths in which it is easy to get lost, making them the subject of many famous legends.

Shopping district

Although there are shops all over Shinano, this district is home to the best and most traditional. Visitors should not miss the many restaurants, liquor stores and pastry shops. For those looking for souvenirs and gifts, there's a varied selection of shops that sell clothing, watches, furniture, medicine, etc.

The academy

The campus covers an entire block and is closely linked to the Shinano cultural center in the Square. The academy is composed of a high school and a university, so students can opt for continuing their education in the same institution. The most popular degrees are related to the city's commercial and maritime activities. Tuition is free as long as students vow to use their learning for the betterment of the city. Students enjoy spreading rumours about whether this or that faculty building is haunted, and they even say that there's a department that deals with the occult.

The beach

The beaches of Shinano are home to an exotic species of crab that is a bright green color. As they are very shy and quickly hide in the sand should a person gets close, tourists love to chase them and try to take pictures of them. The waters are neither too cold nor too warm, and the beaches see activity all year round.

Shinano Sea

Located on the mouth of the river is the most important port of Shinano. It's the maritime center of the city and serves, among other things, as the arrival point of all who travel to Shinano by sea. Even the least superstitious fisherman will tell you that he has seen strange things coming out of the water on full Moon nights.