Nagano Prefectural Nagano Senior High School
Principal's Message
My name is Koichiro Sano, and I’m honored to have been appointed as the 24th principal of Nagano High School, effective April 2026.
To share our school's vision, distinctive strengths, and the vibrant activities of our students, we have renewed our school website this year. This project was a collaborative effort between our faculty and students, designed to serve as a bridge between our school and the community.
Tracing our origins back to Nagano Prefectural Middle School in 1884, and our establishment as an independent institution in 1899, Nagano High School boasts a proud 127-year history as one of the prefecture's leading academic institutions.
Our Alumni Hall, a building from 1939 designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, remains in active use today as a study room and activity space for current students. It serves as a physical reminder of the legacy passed down from generation to generation.
Our founding spirit is encapsulated in our school mottos: Shitsujitsu-Goken (Unadorned Fortitude and Vigor), Wachu-Kyodo (Harmonious Cooperation), Shisei-Ikkan (Sincerity and Consistency). Even today, these values serve as the spiritual backbone for more than 38,000 alumni, who continue to lead and inspire in various fields both in Japan and across the globe.
The true strength of Nagano High School lies in its environment and its highly motivated community. In this era of diversity, our students maintain a culture of mutual respect and lifelong learning. We live in a time where the future is difficult to predict. To overcome unforeseen challenges, we must go beyond relying on precedents and manuals. Instead, we must forge new paths through creative thinking and collaboration. I believe it is essential for students to:
Be Proactive: Formulate their own questions and think from multiple perspectives.
Collaborate with Others: Have the strength to ask for help and work with others to find solutions.
Persistence: Understand that "success" is not determined by immediate results, but by the ability to learn from failure and keep moving forward.
I want our students to experience everything Nagano High School has to offer and "use every experience as nourishment" to cultivate the power to create the future. The spirit of our school mottos will undoubtedly serve as a guide throughout their lives.
As a faculty, we are committed to ensuring that Nagano High School remains a center of excellence for learning and a springboard for our students' dreams. We ask for continued understanding and support of our parents, alumni, and the local community in our educational endeavors.
Koichiro Sano Principal, Nagano Prefectural Nagano High School
