Akita (city) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Akita 秋田市
Core city
Akita City
From the top, left to right: Mount Taihei, Kubota Castle, Akita-Araya Wind Farm, Hitotsumori Park, Akita Skydome, Akita Museum of Art, Akita Akarengakan Museum, Akita City Gymnasium
Flag Seal
Akita Location in Japan
Country	Japan
Region	Tōhoku
Prefecture	Akita
First official recorded	659 AD
City Settled	April 1, 1889
Area
• Total	906.07 km2 (349.84 sq mi)
Population  (August 1, 2023)
• Total	300,502
• Density	331.6543/km2 (858.981/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number	018-863-2222
Address	1-1 Sanno 1-chome, Akita-shi 010-8560
Climate	Cfa
Symbols Flower Satsuki azalea Tree Zelkova serrata

Akita (秋田市, Akita-shi) IPA: [aꜜki̥ta]; lit. "Autumn field City" is a major city in Japan. It is the capital city of Akita Prefecture. Since 1997, Akita has been known as a "core city." This means it has more self-governing powers.

As of August 2023, about 300,502 people live in Akita. The city covers an area of 906.07 square kilometers (350 square miles).

History of Akita City

The area where Akita City is today has been lived in for thousands of years. It was once part of an old province called Dewa. Important old sites, like the Jizōden ruins, show that people lived here from the Stone Age.

In 733 AD, the Japanese imperial court built Akita Castle. This was done to control the local tribes. Later, different samurai families ruled the area. During the Edo period, the Satake clan took control. They built Kubota Castle, and a castle town grew around it.

Changes in the Meiji and Taishō Eras

When the Meiji period began, the old ruling system changed. The castle town was split into Akita and Kubota. In 1871, Akita Prefecture was created.

A big fire in 1886 destroyed most of Akita town. But the city was officially formed on April 1, 1889. This included the old towns of Kubota and Akita. Over the next few years, many new things came to Akita. These included a public library, electricity, and telephone services. Akita Station opened in 1902.

During the Taishō period (1912-1926), Akita continued to grow. Oil fields were developed nearby, and a branch of the Bank of Japan opened.

Akita in the Shōwa Era

More oil fields were developed in the 1930s. However, the city faced hardship during World War II. On August 14, 1945, an air raid targeted an oil refinery. Sadly, over 250 people lost their lives.

After the war, Akita hosted the National Sports Festival of Japan in 1961. In 1983, a tsunami hit the coast after an earthquake. Three people in Akita were killed.

Modern Akita: Heisei Era

Akita City Hall

On April 1, 1997, Akita became a "core city." This gave it more power to manage its own affairs. The Akita Shinkansen (bullet train) also started running that year. In 2001, Akita hosted the World Games, a big international sports event.

In 2005, two nearby towns, Kawabe and Yūwa, joined Akita City. This made Akita even larger. The city also hosted the National Sports Festival again in 2007.

Geography and Climate

Akita City is located on the coast of central Akita Prefecture. It is next to the Sea of Japan to the west. The Omono River flows right through the city.

Neighboring Towns and Cities

Akita City is surrounded by several other places in Akita Prefecture:

• Kitaakita
• Katagami
• Yurihonjō
• Daisen
• Senboku
• Minamiakita District: Gojōme, Ikawa
• Kitaakita District: Kamikoani

Population Changes

Akita's population has been counted since 1873. The number of people living in Akita grew steadily and reached its highest point around the year 2000. Since then, the population has slowly decreased.

Weather in Akita

Akita has a climate that is a mix of humid subtropical and humid continental. This means it has cold, very snowy winters. Summers are hot and humid.

The average temperature in January is about 0.4°C (32.7°F). In August, it rises to about 25.0°C (77.0°F). Akita gets a lot of snow because it's near the Sea of Japan. It receives about 377 cm (148 inches) of snow each winter. Most of the snow falls from December to March. It rains or snows on more than two-thirds of the days each year.

Akita's Economy

A sunset in the northern outskirts of Akita City

Akita's economy relies a lot on farming, especially growing rice. Forestry (working with trees) and mining are also important. Akita has one of Japan's most important oil fields.

The main industries here include refining oil, woodworking, and making metal products. They also produce silk fabrics. Akita is home to two big local banks: Akita Bank and Hokuto Bank. The Akita Thermal Power Station is also located in the city.

Education in Akita

Akita City has many schools and universities.

Universities and Colleges

• Akita University
• Akita University of Art
• Akita Prefectural University
• Akita International University
• Akita Nutrition Junior College
• Japanese Red Cross Akita College of Nursing
• Misono Gakuen Junior College
• North Asia University
• Open University of Japan Akita learning center
• Seirei Women's Junior College

Schools for Kids

Akita has 44 city elementary schools and one national elementary school. For middle school, there are 22 city schools, one prefectural, one national, and one private middle school. There is also one school that combines middle and high school.

The city has eight prefectural high schools, one city high school, and seven private high schools. There are also special education schools for students with unique needs.

High Schools

• Akita High School

Getting Around Akita

Akita has different ways to travel, including by air, train, and road.

Airport

• Akita Airport

Train Travel

• JR East – Akita Shinkansen (bullet train)
  • Akita

East Japan Railway Company - Ōu Main Line

• Ōbarino - Wada - Yotsugoya - Akita - Tsuchizaki - Kami-Iijima - Oiwake

East Japan Railway Company - Uetsu Main Line

• Shimohama - Katsurane - Araya - Ugo-Ushijima - Akita

East Japan Railway Company - Oga Line

• Oiwake
• Akita Rinkai Railway Company (for cargo trains)

Highways

• Akita Expressway
• Nihonkai-Tōhoku Expressway
• National Route 7
• National Route 13
• National Route 46
• National Route 101
• National Route 285
• National Route 341

Bus Services

• Akita Chūō Kōtsū [tl]

Seaport

• Port of Akita

News and Media

• Akita Asahi Broadcasting
• Akita Broadcasting System
• Akita Community Broadcasting
• Akita Television
• Cable Networks Akita
• FM Tsubakidai

Fun Places to Visit

Thatched roof in Jizōden Archaeological Park

Akita Senshu Park

Reconstructed East Gate of Akita Castle

• Site of Kubota Castle (now Senshu Park)
• Site of Akita Castle (Takashimizu Park), a National Historic Site
• Minato Castle (Tsuchizaki Gaiku Park, Shinmeisha)
• Jizōden ruins, another National Historic Site
• Akita Prefectural Museum
• Akita Senshū Museum of Art
• Akita Museum of Art
• Akita Omoriyama Zoo
• Akita Port Tower Selion
• CNA Arena Akita (a sports arena)
• Sakigake Yabase Baseball Stadium
• Akita Prefectural Baseball Stadium
• Akita Yabase Athletic Field
• Akita Prefectural Gymnasium
• Akita Prefectural Central Park
• Akita Prefectural General Pool
• Akita Prefectural Budokan
• Akita Peace Pagoda
• Koshiō Shrine

Exciting Local Events

Akita Kanto Festival

This amazing summer festival started about 350 years ago. It's similar to other tanabata festivals in Japan. During this festival, people balance very tall poles (15 meters or 49 feet) with 230 lanterns on their chins! The main event happens at night from August 3rd to 6th each year.

During the day, people can watch or even try Kanto stunts in Senshu Park. This part of the festival began in 1931. The festival has even been shown in other countries, like Germany, Hawaii, and London!

Narayama Kamakura Festival

In the Narayama Otamachi area of Akita, there's a special festival from February 12th to 15th. People build a shrine from snow walls. Inside, they honor Suijin and Kamakura Daimyojin (local gods). A rice bale is set on fire at the end of the festival.

Tsuchizaki Minato Festival

Every neighborhood in Tsuchizaki Minato creates a special parade float. These floats are decorated with giant figures. The festival takes place from July 20th to 21st. In 1997, it was recognized as an important cultural event.

Our Lady of Akita

In 1973, a nun named Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa reported seeing visions in Akita City. These visions are known as Our Lady of Akita. The Catholic Church approved these reported events in 1988.

Sister Cities Around the World

Akita City has special friendly relationships with cities in other countries.

International Sister Cities

• Lanzhou, Gansu, China (since 1982)
• Passau, Lower Bavaria, Germany (since 1984)
• Malabon, Philippines (since 1987)
• Kenai, Alaska, United States of America
• St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States of America (since 1993, originally with Yūwa, which merged with Akita)
• Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai, Russia (since 1992)
• Nanning, Guangxi, China (since 2021)

Sister Cities in Japan

Akita also has friendly ties with cities within Japan.

• Daigo, Kuji District, Ibaraki Prefecture
• Hitachiōta, Ibaraki Prefecture

Famous People from Akita

Many talented people come from Akita, including:

• Masamichi Amano, a composer
• Michio Ashikaga, a professional soccer player
• Yukiko Ebata, a professional women's volleyball player
• Hiroki Endo, a manga artist
• Yukio Endō, an Olympic gymnast
• Hiroyuki Enoki, a professional boxer
• Shirō Fukai, a composer
• Takunosuke Funakawa, a footballer
• Masanori Ishikawa, a professional baseball player
• Yudai Koga (K), a member of the Japanese boy-group &Team
• Chūji Machida, a politician and cabinet minister
• Hiroya Matsumoto, an actor
• Hiroko Nagasaki, an Olympic swimmer
• Emiko Okuyama, a politician
• Akira Ota, an Olympic wrestler
• Junko Sakurada, a singer
• Nozomi Sasaki, a model and actress
• Takenori Sato, a professional mixed martial artist
• Tadashi Settsu, a professional baseball player
• Kohei Shimoda, a professional soccer player
• Taro Shoji, a singer
• Tensho Sugimoto [ja], a basketball player
• Kenji Suzuki (footballer)
• Mitsuhisa Taguchi, a professional soccer player
• Kenta Tateyama, a professional basketball player
• Go Togashi, a footballer for Blaublitz Akita
• Setsurō Wakamatsu, a movie director
• Ren Yamamoto (footballer, born 1999)
• Koharu Yonemoto, a professional badminton player
• Yu Takahashi, a singer-songwriter

Sports Teams in Akita

Akita is home to several sports teams:

• Basketball: Akita Northern Happinets, Prestige International Aranmare Akita
• Football: Blaublitz Akita, Saruta Kōgyō S.C., Akita FC Cambiare
• Rugby union: Akita Northern Bullets

Images for kids

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  Akita City skyline and landmarks

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  Flag of Akita City

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  Emblem of Akita City

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  Location of Akita in Akita Prefecture

See also

In Spanish: Akita (Akita) para niños