Akashi, Hyōgo

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.

Akashi city was called Akashi Domain (1617-1871) and flourished as an old castle town since the seventeenth century. After the time of the Meiji restoration, the abolition of the han system (haihan-chiken) was done and replaced to a new system of prefectures in 1871 by Meiji Government.

It was said that Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) who was one of the well-known Japanese swordsmen made the old town's lots in the seventeenth century. Kakinomotono Hitomaro who was the great waka poet of the late Asuka period wrote many poems, and one of them was about Akashi. Akashi also appeared in The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu who was a famous female writer in the early years of the 11th century.

Akashi Government renovated its library and other facilities in November, 2017. Then, Akashi station's area was developed. A municipal library and other facilities reestablished in front of Akashi station. Therefore, accessibility in those facilities was exceedingly improved.

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 of negligence for not preventing the disaster.[1]

Akashi Municipal Planetarium, as known the place Japan Standard Time is determined

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 Kaikyō 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.

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

Yamato Scale, a leading global manufacturer of commercial weighing and packaging equipment is headquartered in the city.[2]

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. People who live in Akashi call it "tamagoyaki."(tamago, 玉子 or 卵, literally "egg") Akashi is the site of the Uonotana (Uo-no-Tana, 魚の棚, literally "fish-shelf") Fish Market where local fishermen display an array of fresh seafood caught in the Akashi Strait.

Akashi Junior College

The city once had a North Korean school, Akashi Korean Elementary School (明石朝鮮初級学校)[3] and Akashi Junior College (明石短期大学).

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

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  Port of Akashi
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  Sanyo Akashi Station
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  Old town area
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  Uontana

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Akashi.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akashi, Hyogo.

• Akashi City official website
• Geographic data related to Akashi, Hyōgo at OpenStreetMap