Aki, Kochi
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Kōchi
, Japan
on the island of Shikoku
.
As of 2010, the city has an estimated population
of 19,882 and the density
of 64.4 persons per km². The total area is 317.34 km². The heart of Aki city is located along the Japan National Route 55
and faces the Pacific Ocean
to the south. Aki city has six stops on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Asa Line
(also known as the Gomen-Nahari Line (ごめん-なはり線)), and the city office can be reached by stopping at Aki City's main station. The stations within Aki city include Akano, Ananai, Jyũjōmae, Ioki, Aki, and Shimoyama.
The city was founded on August 1, 1954.
, yuzu
, and tobacco. It is also well-known for a dish called chirimendon (ちりめん丼), a bowl of rice covered in tiny sardines, green onions, and tsuyu sauce.
Every August, Aki City holds a Yosakoi
(よさこい) festival and parade in the city. Since Yosakoi dance originated in Kōchi Prefecture
, many cities around the prefecture hold smaller-scale festivals in relation to the main three-day Yosakoi festival in Kōchi
, which draws groups of performers from all over Japan. Aki City's festival is one of the larger festivals held on the east side of Kochi Prefecture, and takes place over two weekends in August. Various groups from around the city, nearby cities, as well as groups from Tokushima Prefecture
and Ehime Prefecture
come and perform in the Aki City Yosakoi festival in preparation for the three-day festival in Kōchi.
Another well-known festival held in AKi City is the Aki City Candle-Light Festival and Illumination Event. This event takes place over two days and is held around the mid-end of December. The festivities take place in front of the Aki City train station where local music groups, Junior High school bands, and High school bands perform while various local restaurants set-up stalls to sell food, drinks, and other local products. The event takes place around the birthday of Iwasaki Yatarō and is thus included in the festivities. There is also a very large display of handmade candles set up around the station, and nearby residence often participate by setting up Christmas "illuminations" and elaborate light displays.
Since Kōchi Prefecture is well known for shodo
(書道) or calligraphy, the Aki City Calligraphy Museum holds a nation-wide calligraphy contest every May, and another contest for High school students every July/August. Calligraphy from all over Japan is sent in to be judged by highly regarded calligraphy teachers from the prefecture, and later displayed in a public exhibition. Along with this contest, Aki City also holds a general arts (photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, wood-work) contest every September/October in the Aki City Shuminkaikan.
Other than these larger events, Aki City is also the host to various small festivals, local music performances, art exhibitions, and events. In addition, every November, Aki City is host to the "Turtle Marathon," a marathon held for people ages 30 and over from all over Japan.
Jr. High Schools
High Schools
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in Kōchi
Kochi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on the island of Shikoku
Shikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
.
As of 2010, the city has an estimated population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 19,882 and the density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of 64.4 persons per km². The total area is 317.34 km². The heart of Aki city is located along the Japan National Route 55
Japan National Route 55
National Route 55 is a national highway of Japan connecting Tokushima, Tokushima and Kōchi, Kōchi, with a total length of 210.2 km ....
and faces the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
to the south. Aki city has six stops on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway Asa Line
Tosa Kuroshio Railway Asa Line
The is a Japanese railway line operated by Tosa Kuroshio Railway that runs between Nankoku and Nahari in Kōchi Prefecture.-Stations:...
(also known as the Gomen-Nahari Line (ごめん-なはり線)), and the city office can be reached by stopping at Aki City's main station. The stations within Aki city include Akano, Ananai, Jyũjōmae, Ioki, Aki, and Shimoyama.
The city was founded on August 1, 1954.
Historical Sites
- Iwasaki Yatarō (岩崎 弥太郎): (founder of MitsubishiMitsubishiThe Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
) His childhood home is located in Aki, north of the Aki City Train station off of Route 29 in Inokuchi, Aki. - Noradokei Clock (野良時計): Located in Doi, Aki along Route 213.
- Samurai Residence (武家屋敷): Located in Doi, Aki.
- Sugio Shrine (杉尾神社)
- Ryutaro Hirota's music monuments: There are 10 music monuments, each engraved with a different song of Ryutaro's. They are located all around the city.
- Kariyon Clock (カリヨン時計): Large clock monument to Ryutaro Hirota. At certain hours, the clock plays music and has mechanical dolls that come out and dance.
Sites of Interest
- Uchiharano Pottery Center: This pottery center sells locally made pottery and blown glass art. With an appointment, you can make your own pottery in the studio.
- Aki City Station Chiba-San Market (安芸市ちばさん市場): Located within the station's main building, local produce, plants, bakery goods, Aki City omiyage, and home-made bentoBentois a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware...
are brought/made fresh every day and sold cheaply. - Aki Dome: This is where the Hanshin TigersHanshin TigersThe are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are in the Central League. Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., the subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc., owns the Hanshin Tigers directly...
practice in the spring (beginning in February) and play their first game of the season. It draws Hanshin Tigers fans every year from all over Japan. The Dome is located in Sakuragoka Machi and is visible along Kokudo Route 55. One can also access the Dome by going to Jyũjōmae Station (球場前駅). - Aki City Calligraphy Museum (安芸市書道美術館): Located in Doi-Cho, Aki City along Route 29 next to the History Museum. The Museum is a two floor establishment that displays and hosts many different calligraphy exhibitions and contests.
- Aki City History Museum (安芸市歴史民俗資料館): Located in Do-Cho, AKi City along Route 29 next to the Calligraphy Museum. The Museum contains information on the evolution of Aki City through history, as well as an extensive history of Iwasaki Yatarou.
- Aki Fishing Port (安芸市漁港)
- Kikusui Sake Brewing Company (菊水酒造株式会社): Located in Hon-machi, Aki City, is a local sake brewery well-known around Shikoku and the second largest producer of sake in Kochi Prefecture. The company constantly comes up with new and innovative products and is sold widely around the prefecture. Along with their constantly updating product list, they are well-known for their "Shimanto Gawa" (四万十川）sake.
- Arimitsu Brewing Company: A very small sake brewery located in Akano-cho, Aki City (along the border of Geisei Village) that produces sake using traditional methods. Production is minimal and sales are limited to Aki City and select retail stores around Kochi City. The most well-known sake they produce is called "Aki Tora" (安芸虎), which is not named after the Hanshin Tigers but instead, after Kunitora Aki who resided in the Aki Castle.
- Nasu Park and Uchiharano Park: Located in Uchiharano-Cho, Aki City. Nasu park is known for the playground equipment shaped like vegetables (among which is eggplant). Uchiharano park is a large public park with a man-made lake. In the spring and Summer, it is a good place to go for flower viewing while picnicking. Boats are also able to be rented for a row around the lake.
- Doyo Washroom: The Doyo Washroom is located next to the Aki City Office and is a bathroom known for playing the famous nursery rhymes that where created in Aki City.
Culture
Aki City is an agricultural city where many farmers reside and thus, is well known for its locally grown eggplant (なす), dekoponDekopon
is a seedless and very sweet citrus fruit, a hybrid between Kiyomi and ponkan , developed in Japan in 1972.Originally a brand name, Dekopon has become a genericized trademark and it is used to refer to all brands of the fruit; the generic name is...
, yuzu
Yuzu
The yuzu is a citrus fruit and plant originating in East Asia. It is believed to be a hybrid of sour mandarin and Ichang papeda...
, and tobacco. It is also well-known for a dish called chirimendon (ちりめん丼), a bowl of rice covered in tiny sardines, green onions, and tsuyu sauce.
Every August, Aki City holds a Yosakoi
Yosakoi
Yosakoi is a unique style of dance that originated in Japan. Yosakoi started in the city of Kōchi in 1954, as a modern rendition of Awa Odori, a traditional summer dance. Yosakoi-style dancing has spread throughout much of Japan. The style of dance is highly energetic, combining traditional...
(よさこい) festival and parade in the city. Since Yosakoi dance originated in Kōchi Prefecture
Kochi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
, many cities around the prefecture hold smaller-scale festivals in relation to the main three-day Yosakoi festival in Kōchi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
, which draws groups of performers from all over Japan. Aki City's festival is one of the larger festivals held on the east side of Kochi Prefecture, and takes place over two weekends in August. Various groups from around the city, nearby cities, as well as groups from Tokushima Prefecture
Tokushima Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is the city of Tokushima.- Tokushima Prefecture and Myodo Prefecture :Long ago, Tokushima City belonged to a region known as Myōdō-gun...
and Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
come and perform in the Aki City Yosakoi festival in preparation for the three-day festival in Kōchi.
Another well-known festival held in AKi City is the Aki City Candle-Light Festival and Illumination Event. This event takes place over two days and is held around the mid-end of December. The festivities take place in front of the Aki City train station where local music groups, Junior High school bands, and High school bands perform while various local restaurants set-up stalls to sell food, drinks, and other local products. The event takes place around the birthday of Iwasaki Yatarō and is thus included in the festivities. There is also a very large display of handmade candles set up around the station, and nearby residence often participate by setting up Christmas "illuminations" and elaborate light displays.
Since Kōchi Prefecture is well known for shodo
Shodo
"Shōdō" is the fortieth single by B'z, released on January 25, 2006. This song is one of B'z many number-one singles in Oricon charts. This song was the opening theme of Case Closed.- External links :*...
(書道) or calligraphy, the Aki City Calligraphy Museum holds a nation-wide calligraphy contest every May, and another contest for High school students every July/August. Calligraphy from all over Japan is sent in to be judged by highly regarded calligraphy teachers from the prefecture, and later displayed in a public exhibition. Along with this contest, Aki City also holds a general arts (photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, wood-work) contest every September/October in the Aki City Shuminkaikan.
Other than these larger events, Aki City is also the host to various small festivals, local music performances, art exhibitions, and events. In addition, every November, Aki City is host to the "Turtle Marathon," a marathon held for people ages 30 and over from all over Japan.
Education
Elementary Schools- Akidaiichi E.S (安芸第一小)
- Shimoyama E.S (下山小)
- Higashigawa E.S (東川小中)
- Inokuchi E.S (井ノ口小)
- Ioki E.S (伊尾木小)
- Akano E.S (赤野小)
- Ananai E.S (穴内小)
- Kawakita E.S (川北小)
- Doi E.S (土居小)
Jr. High Schools
- Aki Junior High School (安芸中)
- Seisuigaoka Junior High School (清水ヶ丘中)
- Aki Prefectural Junior High School
High Schools
- Aki High School (安芸高)
- Sakuragauka High School (桜ヶ丘高)
Local Restaurants
Aki City has many unique and delicious restaurants which serve famous local foods.- Chez Nous: Located along Route 55 in Ioki-Cho, Chez Nous is well known for their Soup Curry and machaMachaMacha is the name of a goddess and several other characters in Irish mythology.Macha can also mean:*The LÉ Macha , a ship in the Irish Naval Service, named for the goddess*The Macha crater in Russia, less than 7000 years old...
pound cake. - Iokiya: Located along Route 55 in Ioki-Cho, this restaurant is well known for Udon, especially the store's "Bukkake Udon."
- Furusatokan: Located in Doi-Cho near Route 29, this restaurant/shop is well known for Chirimendon and baked eggplant ice cream. This zakkaZakkaZakka is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance...
also sells home-made bentoBentois a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware...
and hand-made goods. There is also an "ice crean" (a creation of Kochi Prefecture which combines ice cream and sorbet) stand in front of the shop which sells experimental flavors of ice crean including egg, tomato, baked eggplant, pumpkin, and baked sweet potato. - Oncahnchi: This restaurant is well known for their fried chicken (karage).
External links
- Aki official website in Japanese
- Aki City Map in Japanese
- Google Maps
- Kochi wikiJET