Akita, Akita

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Akita City
秋田市
Location of Akita City
Akita City's location in Akita prefecture, Japan.
Location
Country Japan
Region Tōhoku
Prefecture Akita prefecture
Physical characteristics
Area 905.67 km² (349.68 sq mi)
Population (as of 2005)
     Total 335,455
     Density 370 /km² (958 /sq mi)
Location 39°43′1.527″N 140°6′20.919″E / 39.71709083, 140.10581083Coordinates: 39°43′1.527″N 140°6′20.919″E / 39.71709083, 140.10581083
Symbols
Tree Japanese zelkova
Flower Satsuki azalea
Symbol of Akita City
Symbol of Akita City
Akita City Government Office
Mayor Norihisa Satake
Address 〒010-8560
Akita-shi,
Sanno 1 chome, 1-1
Phone number 018-863-2222
Official website: Akita City

Akita (秋田市 Akita-shi?) is the capital city of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan.

As of January 11, 2005 with the merger of the former Kawabe District (including the former towns of Kawabe and Yuwa), the city has an estimated population of 336,250 and density of 371 persons per km². The total area is 905.67 km².

While the modern city was officially founded on April 1, 1889, Akita has been one of the most important cities in the Tohoku region since the medieval period. The Ashina and Satake daimyo clans established their capital in present-day Akita.

Contents

[edit] Demographics

  • Population: 333,058 (As of December 1, 2005)
    • Population density: 367.74 people/k㎡

Area: 905.67k㎡

[edit] Economy

Akita is within proximity of the most important oil fields in Japan. Oil refining, wood, metalworking, and the production of silk textiles are the main industries. Akita is also home to two regional banks that serve Akita prefecture and the greater Tohoku region: Akita Bank and Hokuto Bank.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Rivers and canals

  • Omono River
  • Akita-unga Canal (Formerly Omono-gawa River)
  • Asahi-kawa River
  • Iwami-gawa River

[edit] Neighboring cities

[edit] History

Historically, Akita has seen changes throughout at least four historcial Japanese periods; Edo, Meiji, Showa and Heisei. The first beginnings were of Akita were in the Edo period. A settlement, known as Kubota Castle Town, was formed which would later become the center of Akita. Construction is dated to 1604.

[edit] Meiji

Progress in the Meiji era included the renaming of the Taihei School (太平学校), Akita Normal School (師範学校) April 12, 1878. In July, the school system was divided into 2 systems, the Kitaakita and Minamiakita districts. A year later, on April 1, 1889, Akita was officially established. In July the city hall of Akita is located inside the former Minamiakita District office. Transportation by horsecar began in July from Shindaikumachi to Tsuchizaki. This later became the Akita City Rail service. in May the first bank opened.

[edit] Showa

War devastated the city on August 14, 1945. 137 people are killed in an air raid of 134 B-29s, attacking the city from midnight to the early dawn of August 15. This was reportedly the farthest-range and also the last bombing mission in World War II, coming only hours before Japan announced its surrender.

[edit] Heisei Era

On April 1, 1997 Akita was designated as a core city in Japan. In August 2001 The World Games are held in Akita, opening ceremony is held in the Yabase Track and Field Stadium. In 2004, the city celebrated its 400th anniversary and its beginnings as Kubota Castle town.

[edit] Merger with Kawabe District

On January 11, 2005, the city added the towns of Kawabe and Yuwa to become the new city of Akita. The merger celebration was held at AL☆Ve.

The location of Akita City Hall doesn't change, and former Kawabe and Yuwa Town Halls are used as the civilian center.

Go to the city of Akita's website for more info

[edit] Education

Akita Prefectural University, a public university, is located in the city.

Akita International University is a private college outside of town, taught solely in Englsih.

[edit] Sister / Friendship Cities

[edit] International Sister / Friendship Cities

[edit] Domestic Sister Cities

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Rail

  • East Japan Railway Company
    • Akita Shinkansen: Akita
    • Ōu Main Line: Ōbarino, Wada, Yotsugoya, (Akita Service Center), Akita, (Akita Freight Station), (Akita General Service Center: Adjacent to Tsuchizaki, branches to the right hand side before the station), Tsuchizaki, Kami-Iijima, Oiwake
    • Oga Line: Oiwake
    • Uetsu Main Line: Katsurane, Araya, Ugo-Ushijima, Akita
  • Akita Rinkai Railway (Freight)
    • Tsuchizaki — Port of Akita
      • North Line: Port of Akita — North Port of Akita
      • South Line: Port of Akita — Mukaihama
  • Akita District Forest Service
    • Nibestu Shinrin Railway (Abolished)

[edit] Road

  • Expressways
    • Akita Expressway: Akita North Interchange, Akita Chūō Interchange, Akita South Interchange
    • Japan Sea-Tōhoku Expressway: Akita Airport Interchange
    • Kawabe Junction：Akita Expressway, Japan Sea-Tōhoku Expressway
  • Akita Central Highway (Under construction)
  • National Highways (Ordinary)
    • Highway 7
    • Highway 13
    • Highway 341

[edit] Bus

  • Akita Shiei Bus (Planned to cease operations April 1, 2006)
  • Akita Chūō Kōtsū

[edit] Air

[edit] Boat

  • Port of Akita (designated port)
    • North Port of Akita (Akita Ferry Terminal)
    • South Port of Akita

[edit] External links


Shadow picture of Akita Prefecture Akita Prefecture
Flag of Akita Prefecture
Cities
Akita (capital) | Daisen | Katagami | Kazuno | Kitaakita | Nikaho | Noshiro | Oga | Ōdate | Semboku | Yokote | Yurihonjō | Yuzawa
Districts
Kazuno | Kitaakita | Minamiakita | Ogachi | Senboku | Yamamoto
  See also: Towns and villages by district edit