Akashi, Hyōgo
Akashi 明石市 |
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Special city | ||
Akashi from Akashi Castle.
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![]() Location of Akashi in Hyōgo Prefecture |
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Location in Japan | ||
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | ||
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 |
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Website | www |
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).
Contents
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.[1]
Geography
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.[2]
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
Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The city once had a North Korean school, Akashi Korean Elementary School (明石朝鮮初級学校).[3]
Sport
Akashi Park Stadium is a track and field stadium that can hold 20,000 spectators.
Principal sights of Akashi
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
International relations
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Twin towns – Sister cities
Akashi is twinned with:
References
- ↑ Kyodo News, "Ex-cop pleads not guilty in fatal '01 Akashi crush", Japan Times, 20 January 2012, p. 1.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "ウリハッキョ一覧" (Archive). Chongryon. November 6, 2005. Retrieved on October 15, 2015.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons
- Akashi City official website (Japanese)