SANO

city, Tochigi ken (prefecture), Honshu, Japan, on the Watarase River, a tributary of the Ione River. Sano is surrounded by low hills and occupies a plain, a plateau, and alluvial lowlands. Sano was a castle town during the Middle Ages and a post town and market centre during the Tokugawa era (16031867). Industry developed after the late 19th century, and the city now produces concrete, roof tiles, textiles, and toys. Pop. (1990) 83,484.