Akashi, Hyōgo

Akashi 明石市
Special city
Akashi from Akashi Castle.
Symbol
Location of Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture
Akashi Location in Japan
Coordinates:
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Hyōgo Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Fusaho Izumi (since May 2011)
Area
• Total	49.22 km2 (19.00 sq mi)
Population (April 1, 2011)
• Total	290,776
• Density	5,907.68/km2 (15,300.8/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Sweet Osmanthus
• Flower	Chrysanthemums
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City Hall Address	1-5-1 Nakasaki, Akashi-shi, Hyogo-ken 673-8686
Website	www.city.akashi.hyogo.jp

Akashi (明石市, Akashi-shi) is a city located in southern Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, on the Seto Inland Sea west of Kobe.

As of April 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 290,776, with 117,392 households, and a population density of 5,907.68 persons per km². The total area is 49.22 square kilometres (19 sq mi).

History

Akashi was an important city during Japan's pre-modern period due to the presence of Akashi Castle, headquarters of the Akashi Domain. The city, in its current form, was founded on November 1, 1919.

On July 21, 2001, 11 people were killed and 247 injured in a pedestrian stampede after a fireworks show. Five city and civil officials were subsequently convicted for negligence for not preventing the disaster.

Geography

Akashi Municipal Planetarium, as known land of Japan Standard Time site

Akashi Municipal Planetarium stands on the meridian of 135 degrees east longitude, that is used to determine Japan Standard Time. Contrary to the name, the terminus of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge that connects Honshu to Awaji Island (and thereby to Shikoku) is not in Akashi but in Tarumi-ku, Kōbe.

The remains of Akashi Castle are located just north of Akashi Station and are visible from the station platform.

Politics and government

Akashi is governed by Mayor Hiroto Kitaguchi, an independent. The city assembly has 31 elected members and is dominated by independents.

Economy

Yamato Scale, a leading global manufacturer of commercial weighing and packaging equipment is headquartered in the city.

Culture

Akashi is well known for Akashiyaki, a kind of takoyaki particular to the region. Small pieces of octopus (tako) are placed inside a ball-shaped mold containing a mixture of flour and eggs and this is then fried. Akashiyaki is often eaten by dipping in a thin soup. Akashi is the site of the Uontana (Uo-no-Tana, 魚の棚, lit."fish-shelf") Fish Market where local fishermen display an array of fresh seafood caught in the Akashi Strait.

Education

The city once had a North Korean school, Akashi Korean Elementary School (明石朝鮮初級学校).

Sport

Akashi Park Stadium is a track and field stadium that can hold 20,000 spectators.

Principal sights of Akashi

• 

  Port of Akashi

• 

  Sanyo Akashi Station

• 

  Old town area

• 

  Uontana

Transportation

JR

The Sanyō Main Line (JR Kobe Line) passes through the city with stations at:

• Akashi Station
• Asagiri Station
• Nishi-Akashi Station (also a Sanyō Shinkansen station)
• Ōkubo Station
• Uozumi Station

Sanyo Railway

The Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line passes through the city with stations at:

• Eigashima Station
• Fujie Station
• Hayashisaki-Matsuekaigan Station
• Higashi-Futami Station
• Hitomarumae Station
• Nakayagi Station
• Nishi-Eigashima Station
• Nishi-Futami Station
• Nishi-Shimmachi Station
• Ōkuradani Station
• Sanyo Akashi Station
• Sanyo Uozumi Station

Highways

• Japan National Route 2 (Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima, Shimonoseki)
• Japan National Route 28 (Kobe, Tokushima)
• Japan National Route 175 (Maizuru)
• Japan National Route 250 (Kobe, Okayama)
• Japan National Route 427 (Nishiwaki, Asago)
• Second Shinmei Road (Kobe)

Ferries

• Akashi Awaji Ferry and Awaji Jenova Line to Awaji Island

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Japan

Twin towns – Sister cities

Akashi is twinned with:

• Vallejo, California, USA

External links

• Media related to at Wikimedia Commons
• Akashi City official website (Japanese)