Akita City

From Akita Wiki

Akita City
秋田市
Location of Akita City
Akita City's location in Akita, Japan.
Location
District Akita City
Prefecture Akita
Region Tohoku
Country Japan
Physical characteristics
Area
     Total 905.67 km²
Population (as of Jan 1, 2010)
     Total　 325,905
Symbols
Tree Zelkova （けやき)
Flower Satsuki azalea　(さつき)
Emblem of Akita City
Emblem of Akita City
City Hall
Mayor Motomu Hotzumi (穂積　志)
Address 秋田市山王一丁目1番1号
Phone number 018-863-2222

Akita City (秋田市; -shi) is the largest city and capital city of Akita Prefecture. It is the third largest city in the Tohoku Region and one of 37 designated Core Cities in Japan. Akita City is the largest city in Japan south of Sapporo and north of Sendai.

Contents

Location and Population

Akita City is located in central Akita prefecture near the coast of the Sea of Japan. The area of Akita City is 905.67km², and the population in 2008 is estimated to be 328,862, giving the city a population density of 363 persons per km².

History

The history of the city goes back to 733 AD when a castle was built on Takashimizu Hill. In 1604, the castle became the administration center of the Kitaha Region and the area around the castle began to develop as a town called Kubota. In 1871, the name of the town was changed from Kubota to Akita. In 1880, the castle burned down, and that misfortune was followed up in 1886 when the Tawaraya Fire destroyed 3,474 homes and buildings. In 1889, the area known as Akita Town was established as Akita City and the prefecture capital. In August 1945, Tsuchizaki was hit by a pre-dawn air-raid attack resulting in the death of 137 people. This was the last air raid on the Japanese mainland prior to the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Following several other town merges, in January 2005 Kawabe Town and Yuwa Town were incorporated into Akita City.

Akita at Present

Akita City is both the prefectural capital and the center of political, economic and transportation in the prefecture. Akita City metropolitan area has a population of around 440,000 people.

Central Akita City is full of department stores, restaurants, izakayas, hotels, markets and people. The Sanno District is the primary government district with regional, prefectural, and city government offices. Tsuchizaki remains the port district to the north of the central city as well as the location of the Akita Thermal Power Plant and Industrial Park and a Japan Self-Defense Force Base. The Yabase & Terauchi District contains one of the largest oil fields in Japan.

Several national routes cross through Akita City, including Route 7, Route 13, Route 46, the Nihonkai Expressway, and the Akita Expressway. Akita City is connected to Morioka, Sendai, and Tokyo via the Akita Shinkansen. The JR Uetsu Main Line, JR Ou Main Line, and Oga Line also operate in Akita City. The Akita Airport is located in Yuwa. Akita Port is in Tsuchizaki.

Former towns in Akita City (旧町）:

Districts of Akita City (区):

Northern Sector (北部地域)

  • Terauchi (寺内)
  • Sotoasahikawa (外旭川)
  • Tsuchizaki (土崎. Largest district in the north. It includes the Akita Port.
  • Shogunno　(将軍野)
  • Kohoku (港北)
  • Ijima (飯島). Includes JR Kamiijima Station.
  • Kanaashi (金足). Includes JR Oiwake Station, and the Prefecture Musuem.
  • Shinjo (新城). Divided into Kamishinjo　(上新城) and Shimoshinjo　(下新城)

Eastern Sector (東部地域)

  • Higashi Dori (東通)
  • Tegata (手形)
  • Asahikawa (旭川)
  • Shintoda (新籐田)
  • Nigorikawa (濁川)
  • Soegawa (添川)
  • Yamauchi (山内)
  • Nibetsu (仁別). Contains Opus Ski Lift, Mt. Taihei Resort Park, and the Boon indoor waterpark.
  • Hiroomote　(広面)
  • Yanagida　(柳田). Home to Akita University Hospital.
  • Yokomori　(横森)
  • Sakura　(桜)
  • Taiheidai　(大平台)
  • Shimokitate　(下北手)
  • Taihei　(太平)

Central Sector (中央地域)

  • Omachi (大町). Includes the Kawabata Entertainment District, which includes many places described here like Club AK.
  • Kyokuhoku (旭北). Contains Yamaya Food Imports Store and the city's temple district.
  • Kyokunan (旭南)
  • Kawamoto (川本)
  • Kawashiri (川尻). Includes the prefectural prison.
  • Sanno (山王). The government office district of the region, prefecture, and city.
  • Koyo (高陽)
  • Hodono (保戸野)
  • Izumi　(泉)
  • Senshu　(千秋). Includes Senshu Park and Kubota Castle Ruins.
  • Naka Doori　(中通). The main shopping and business district in front of Akita Station.
  • Minami Doori (南通)
  • Narayama　(楢山)
  • Barajima　(茨島)
  • Yabase (八橋). Includes Yabase Park.

Southern Sector (南部地域)

  • Ushijima　(牛島). Includes Ugo Ushijima Station.
  • Oroshimachi　(卸町)
  • Osumi　(大住)
  • Niida　(仁井田)
  • Onoba　(御野場)
  • Goshono　(御所野). Includes Akita AEON Mall and the city's Red Cross Hospital.
  • Yotsugoya　(四ツ小屋). Includes JR Yotsugoya Station.
  • Kamikitate　(上北手)
  • Yamatedai　(山手台)

Western Sector　(西部地域)

  • Araya　(新屋). Includes Akita Prefectural Skating Rink, Akita Country Club, Komachi Baseball Stadium, Akita Prefectural Pool, and Akita Budokan, where the annual Akita International Sumo Basho is held. The district also contains the Prefectural Motor Vehicles Testing Center.
  • Katsuhira　(勝平). Houses the Prefectural Drivers' Licensing Center (or the DMV), as well as a few driving schools.
  • Hamada　(浜田). Contains the Omoriyama Zoo.
  • Toyoiwa　(豊岩)
  • Shimohama　(下浜). Includes the popular Shimohama Beach.
  • Mukaihama　(向浜). An industrial park for marine shipping.

Schools

Elementary Schools

  • Hodono Elementary School 保戸野小学校
  • Meitoku Elementary School 明徳小学校
  • Chikuzan Elementary School 築山小学校
  • Kyokuhoku Elementary School 旭北小学校
  • Nakadori Elementary School 中通小学校
  • Kyokunan Elementary School 旭南小学校
  • Ushijima Elementary School 牛島小学校
  • Kawashiri Elementary School 川尻小学校
  • Asahikawa Elementary School 旭川小学校
  • Tsuchizaki Elementary School 土崎小学校
  • Kohoku Elementary School 港北小学校
  • Tsuchizaki Minami Elementary School 土崎南小学校
  • Takashimizu Elementary School 高清水小学校
  • Hiroomote Elementary School 広面小学校
  • Nisshin Elementary School 日新小学校
  • Katsuhira Elementary School 勝平小学校
  • Taihei Elementary School 太平小学校
  • Yamaya Elementary School 山谷小学校
  • Sotoasahikawa Elementary School 外旭川小学校
  • Iijima Elementary School 飯島小学校
  • Shimoshinjo Elementary School 下新城小学校
  • Kamishinjo Elementary School 上新城小学校
  • Hamada Elementary School 浜田小学校
  • Toyoiwa Elementary School 豊岩小学校
  • Niida Elementary School 仁井田小学校
  • Yotsugoya Elementary School 四ッ小屋小学校
  • Kamikitate Elementary School 上北手小学校
  • Shimokitate Elementary School 下北手小学校
  • Shimohama Elementary School 下浜小学校
  • Kanaashi Higashi Elementary School 金足東小学校
  • Kanaashi Nishi Elementary School 金足西小学校
  • Yabase Elementary School 八橋小学校
  • Higashi Elementary School 東小学校
  • Izumi Elementary School 泉小学校
  • Osumi Elementary School 大住小学校
  • Sakura Elementary School 桜小学校
  • Iijima Minami Elementary School 飯島南小学校
  • Terauchi Elementary School 寺内小学校
  • Goshono Elementary School 御所野小学校
  • Iwami Sannai Elementary School 岩見三内小学校
  • Akahira Elementary School 赤平小学校 (will close April 2010; students will be integrated into Kawabe ES)
  • Kawabe Elementary School 河辺小学校
  • Toshima Elementary School 戸島小学校
  • Kawazoe Elementary School 川添小学校
  • Tanehira Elementary School 種平小学校
  • Tomegawa Elementary School 戸米川小学校
  • Daishoji Elementary School 大正寺小学校

Junior High/Middle Schools

  • Akita Higashi Junior High School 秋田東中学校
  • Akita Minami Junior High School 秋田南中学校
  • Sanno Junior High School 山王中学校
  • Tsuchizaki Junior High School 土崎中学校
  • Akita Nishi Junior High School 秋田西中学校
  • Taihei Junior High School 太平中学校
  • Sotoasahikawa Junior High School 外旭川中学校
  • Akita Kita Junior High School 秋田北中学校
  • Kamishinjo Junior High School　上新城中学校 (will close April 2010; students will be integrated into ???)
  • Toyoiwa Junior High School 豊岩中学校
  • Jounan Junior High School 城南中学校
  • Shimokitate Junior High School 下北手中学校
  • Shimohama Junior High School 下浜中学校
  • Joutou Junior High School 城東中学校
  • Izumi Junior High School 泉中学校
  • Shogunno Junior High School 将軍野中学校
  • Onoba Junior High School 御野場中学校
  • Katsuhira Junior High School 勝平中学校
  • Iijima Junior High School 飯島中学校
  • Sakura Junior High School 桜中学校
  • Iwami Sannai Junior High School 岩見三内中学校
  • Kawabe Junior High School 河辺中学校
  • Yuuwa Junior High School 雄和中学校
  • Katsuhira Senshuu Bunko
  • Seirei Girls' Academy (Junior High) 聖霊女子短期大学付属中学校 (private, no JET ALTs)

Former Schools

  • Hatta Elementary School 八田小学校 (closed 2004)

Festivals & Events

  • Winter Fireworks , mid January
    On the Omonogawa River at Raiheizan Miyoshi shrine
  • Miyoshi Bonden , (Jan-Feb?)
  • Spring Flower Fair , mid-March
    In Katagami City
  • Kawabata Daruma Festival , mid-April
    Also called the Hoshitsuji Shrine Daruma Festival. If you buy a daruma here, you will have success in business. Make a wish on it and paint in one of the daruma's two blank eyes; once your wish comes true, paint the other eye in. You can buy your own daruma here, and even hand over "finished" daruma so the good luck it brought you will be preserved. Location: Omachi 1-chome
  • Kashima fest, June 2
    Paper dolls are sent to Hiyoshi Shrine on a small reed boat. The festival ensures that kids to grow up strong and healthy. At Araya-Hiyoshi Shrine.
  • Heso Bellybutton Festival, June 3
    In Kawabe, now incorporated into Akita City
  • Tsuchizaki Port (Port Hikiyama festival), late July
    Held at Shinmei shrine, on Hommachi st. Decorated floats of giant warriors, bamboo flutes, taiko,and "boisterous music"all take to the streets in this festival to protect Akita Port. Includes a neighborhood competition.
  • Kanto Festival(竿灯祭), early August
    This is Akita's most famous festival, where men balance towering tiers of lanterns on various parts of their bodies, escorted by women playing traditional melodies on the flute, bell and taiko. The lattices of lanterns symbolize ears of rice, and usher in a good harvest. This festival is a form of Tanabata celebration, and is over 350 years old.
  • Akita Fireworks Festival, mid August, 7pm
  • International Festival, early November
  • Ikebana Exhibition, early November

Note: Exact yearly dates subject to change.

Sightseeing & Activities

  • Senshu Park (千秋公園)
  • Kawabata Street (川反通り)
    Within walking distance from the station, this bustling quarter has tons of bars, izakayas, and restaurants
  • Zoo(大森山動物園)
  • Mt. Taihei Prefectural Natural Park (太平山県立自然公園)
  • Katsurahama and Shimohama swimming beaches
  • The Boon Waterpark
  • Round One
    It's like an amusement park, but not! There's many sports, arcade games, and activities here all under one roof. It's pretty cheap- I think it was 1,600 yen for 3 hours of fun. It's great to go to the baseball cage when you need to vent, or play some taiko in the arcade games. There's a tennis court, indoor soccer, basketball court, ice-games, roller skating etc. oh the choices are endless (well, maybe not, but there's about 50 things you can do including eating and an obscure kick-boxing game hidden in a corner near the ping-pong tables).
  • Masakichi Hirano Mus of Fine Art (平野政吉美術館)
  • Akita Prefectural Museum (秋田県立博物館)
    The museum is in a large, nice building with wonderful layouts and displays of the prefecture's history, nature, an Akita native 'hall of fame,' and special exhibit rooms. The museum is located in Koizumi Park, a beautiful marshland area just a short distance northeast of Oiwake Station in the Kanaashi District of northern Akita City. Admission is free.
  • Neburi-Nagashi Hall (ねぶり流し館)
    Otherwise known as the Akita City Folk Traditions Hall (秋田市民俗芸能伝承館), this hall introduces the different festivals and folk dances of the Akita City region. The first floor also holds a demonstration area where you can even try hoisting a Kanto pole yourself, and on the third floor is a try-it-yourself taiko room. The museum connects to an Edo-period merchant's house that has been preserved as a cultural asset. Admission is 100 yen (or 250 for a combined ticket for the Akarenga Folklore Museum). The displays are primarily in Japanese, but the staff are quite friendly, and the museum is within walking distance of Akita Station.

Onsens

  • Komachi Onsen
  • Onsen Plaza(秋田温泉)
    添川字境内川原１４２−３map
    018-833-1919
    9-10 weekend, 10-10 weekday
    ¥520
    Lovely cedar scented water and outdoor bath
  • Hana no yu(華のゆ)
    Nakadori 5 Chome 2-1,map inside Hotel Granita
    0188-25-5411
    10am-midnight
    850 weekends, 750 weekdays
    Akita City's swankiest onsen has great pools, but it's a little pricey for what you get. Onsen Plaza is just as refreshing, though less accessible from Akita Station.
  • Otakiyama Onsen Kami no Yu (大滝山湯温泉神乃湯）
    秋田県秋田市上新城道川字愛染９0Map
    • Otakiyama　Onsen claims to have secret water from the gods. By secret water from the gods, I think they mean very hot water. The onsen is small but offers a nice view of a small waterfall in the back. A great onsen for sore muscles, and a very friendly staff. Located in rural Akita City, Kamishinjo (上新城）　Otakiyama Onsen is a great place to park your car and hike up to Otaki Waterfall (大滝). The hike will take you through Otakiyama park (大滝山公園) and around Otakisawa reservoir pond (大滝沢用水池). It is an especially beautiful hike during the fall.

Restaurants

  • Peacock (ピーコック)
    Indian
    八橋新川向4-17 [1]
    ph: 018-824-6114
    11:30-3, 5-9, 10 pm on weekends
    A JET favorite serving up the best Indian food in the ken. Sister restaurant Tandoori Kitchen in Yokote. Vegetarian options on the menu.
  • Babylon By Bus
    Jamaican
    〒０１０−０００１秋田県秋田市中通5-5-32
    佐藤ビル1F
    018-834-8455
    Praco info page (in Japanese)
    Zion Diary (owners' blog; in Japanese)
    Hours: 6:00pm to 4:00 am the next morning; closed every Thursday and some other days (call ahead and check first if you're planning to trek over)
    BBB serves up Jamaican-style (or the Japanese interpretation of it, anyway) and mixed cuisine- e.g.chapati with lovely aubergine and pork curry, pizzas and pasta, salads, etc.
    The restaurant is across the road from City Gardens, and usually has a stuffed Jamaican rasta 'doll' in front for easy spotting. Just ask any city ALT and they are sure to know where it is!
    DELICIOUS food, great cocktails (including an extensive list of original creations - Iron Zion Lion is recommended), and lovely hosts, plus an extensive collection of reggae records that you're free to request to listen from.
  • Blue Nile (ブルーナイル)
    Ethiopian
    土崎港東一丁目2-79 [2]
    018-846-0791
    10am -9pm. Closed second and fourth Saturdays, and all Sundays and holidays
    Intriguing decor, friendly English-speaking owner, and distinctly non-Japanese food. Possibly the only place to get African food in Akita.
  • ぼてふく(Botefuku)
    Okonomiyaki
    千秋城下町５−１６[3]
    018-832-2585
    (Hours?)
    Recommended by JTEs, this place is supposedly the BEST okonomiyaki joint in Akita City.
    Word on the grapevine says that they closed recently - can anyone confirm this?
  • Platz(プラッツ)
    Beer hall
    大町1-2-40 [4]
    018-883-4366
    5-11
  • Tonkatsu Abe (とんかつあべ)
    Japanese (tonkatsu)
    秋田県秋田市手形新栄町2-15[5]
    018-835-8536
    11-3, 5:30-9, closed Mondays
    Affectionately known by JETs as "Chicken 'n Cheese", this little gem is behind Akita Station, and past the church. This mom and pop shop has been a favorite of foreign students and ALT's in Akita City for many years. The chicken cheese katsu is highly recommended.
  • La Grotta
    Italian
    〒０１０−０００１秋田県秋田市中道二丁目２−７
    小野時計店タイムブリッジビルB1 (basement)
    018-887-4530
    Hours: 11:30am-10:30pm, closed Mondays
    Head straight out the West exit of Akita Station and keep going a few blocks. La Grotta is on the left, down a flight of stairs from sidewalk level. Higher-end Italian food, still not truly Italian but definitely better than your average Japanese "Italian" place. Goes beyond the common pizza-and-pasta menu with various well-prepared meat and fish dishes. Try the mustard chicken and the three-color garlic bread.
  • Tea Lanka (ティーランカ)
    Sri Lankan
    山王１丁目４−１０[6]
    ph: 018-862-0728
    11:30-5, closed Sun
  • クマリ (Kumari)
    Indian & Asian Cafe
    秋田市広面字蓮沼90-1[7]
    018-825-2010
    11:00am-11:00pm Closed on Mondays
    Home Page
    A restaurant cafe with an excellent atmosphere and delicious tandoori chicken.
  • 茜屋珈琲店 (Akane-ya Coffee Shop)
    Coffee shop
    秋田県秋田市中通2-6-2[8]
    Just walk straight down the covered plaza between Seibu and Itoyokado from the station's west exit; it'll be a small front made of dark wood with a kanji-covered wooden sign in front.
    018-833-2661
    A very small coffee shop with a lovely, quiet atmosphere. The coffee is good, but I go there for the あたたかいしょこら/hot chocolate. It's 600 yen but so very worth it. Probably the best hot chocolate in Akita, if not the whole of Tohoku!
  • グランビア (Gran Via)
    Mediterranean
    秋田県秋田市山王２丁目７−１[9]
    Gran Via is located on the side street directly east of Akita City Hall (on Akita's Kanto-Dori/Sanno Dori). If you are looking at City hall, side step to your right to the first street you reach, proceed 200m north and you will find the quaint-looking Gran Via. Can't attest to the food yet, but it comes highly recommended.
    018-863-5180 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              018-863-5180      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              018-863-5180      end_of_the_skype_highlighting
  • えびや(Ebiya)
    秋田県秋田市山王２丁目４−６−１Ｆ谷内ビル‎‎[10]
    Phone: 018-863-5856
    One of the best tantanmen ramens you will likely find in all of Akita Prefecture. Well worth the trip.
  • 太華味 中国料理 (Takami Chinese Restaurant)
    秋田市土崎港中央3丁目9-28
    Phone:080-857-2929
    Looking to eat shark fin? Want to try Peking Duck? Takami Chinese Restaurant might be a good place to try. Great food, standard menu is reasonably priced, especially if you go with a group and share with each other. Shark fin will cost a good chunk of money (around 8,300 yen) while Peking Duck will depend on the time of the year. Worth a stop if you are in a group.
  • マシンガン　ラメーン (Machine Gun Ramen)
  • 秋田県秋田市広面昼寝46-1 ヴィーナス店舗B棟 1F
  • If you are looking for a ramen that will fill you up, look no further than Machine Gun Ramen. This ramen is defined by its extremely thick noodles, sprouts, garlic (ask for "ninniku"), and its great tasting soup. Not recommended for people who dislike garlic and or being super full. For a visual, check out this youtube video.
  • 東京まんぷくラーメン横浜中華苑(Tokyo Manpuku Ramen)
  • 秋田県秋田市大町6-2-5
  • Open late, various types of ramen at a decent price. Spicy miso is good, but the Tantanmen is awesome. If its crowded the service can get a bit slow. Simply head toward the river on Minami dori, as if coming from the station. It will be on your left slightly after the river.
  • National chains. There are many branches of national chain restaurants in Akita City, including Gusto, Mos Burger, McDonald's, Lotteria, Starbucks, Doutor, Murasaki (村さ来), Daishoen (大昌園), Trenta (トレンタ), Wara Wara, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Coco's

Shopping

Clothes: Buying trousers for ladies can be a bit hard. Many city ALTs don't even fit the large size, but don't despair -- you're not reduced to wearing draw-string pants -- and you are not fat. There's a new Uniqlo superstore in Barajima (turn right at Round One and go straight until you reach Bulldog; it's next door) which stocks many great-fitting get-ups in a range of styles. Also, the fantastic Mujirushi Ryouhin, or Muji (on the basement floor of the Ars building near Akita Station), now carries a widening range of clothes for all ages, sexes, and sizes, which are mostly made of natural materials, use no sweatshop labor, and are quite cheap to boot.

  • CHEESE & WINE abe
    010-0921 秋田市大町 1-3-33 [11]
    018-866-9799
    A great little shop for lovers of life, of cheese, wine, good European beer and various things that taste great with the latter. The couple who run the shop are very knowledgeable and friendly. When asked why beer, cheese, and wine, the husband replied, "Because I love Beer, Cheese, and Wine."
  • New City
    010-0921 秋田市大町二丁目3番27号[12]
    A very small-scale depaato. New City has a mini-food court, grocery store, and used book store in the basement (the books are cheaper than Book Off, particularly if you catch them on a 50-yen day). The first floor has a small shop with imports from India, a bunch of very cheap retail goods (great prices for the financially sensitive, but look out for the sizes), and a store in the back with old kimono and yukata for ridiculously cheap prices. There's also a Daiso 100-Yen Shop on the second floor, along with a fabric store. The fifth floor is the local community center.
  • Ito Yokado
    Location: Near the Station and has huge red 'Ito Yokado' kanji signs all over it.
    This place is great when you don't want to go to heaps of shops or department stores, don't have much time, or hate shopping. Many thing can be found in Ito Yokado- clothes, perfume, 100 yen store, and grocery at the basement level.
  • Seibu
    Location: Near the station, opposite Ito Yokado.
    The Akita branch of Seibu is the city's "higher end" department store to Ito Yokado's more utilitarian one. Things can get pricy, but this is the place to go if you're looking for a really fancy gift or something really high-quality for yourself, though it's definitely not for everyday shopping. This is where you'll find Coach, Godiva, Chanel, and a lot of foreign cosmetics and fashion brands. The basement floor is partly made up of restaurants, most of which are quite good, and some are even reasonably priced (like the katsu place). Watch Seibu's for their seasonal sales, especially at New Year's or when the Seibu Lions win an important baseball game.
  • Forus
    Location: Near the Station with a multi-coloured English sign on top of the building.
    Forus is a fun department store to look around in, but its quite expensive. Some of the sales are pretty great, so look out for them.
    The most notable feature of Forus is the Book Shop locayed on the 6th floor. It has a small but well-stocked section on Japanese language books, Japanese-English dictionaries,workbooks,and Japanese-English text books just to name a few. In short, go to Forus to buy books on learning Japanese.
  • Akita Ningyō Kaikan (秋田人形会館)
    Located near Round 1; between Akita Marukoto and Kojima denki.
    This is the most famous shop in Akita for traditional Hina dolls.
    Homepage (Japanese)

External links

Retrieved from "http://www.akitajet.com/wiki/index.php?title=Akita_City"