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
Akita (Japanese: 秋田市, Hepburn: Akita-shi, IPA:[aꜜki̥ta]; lit."Autumn field City")) is the capital and most populous city of Akita Prefecture, Japan, and has been designated a core city since 1 April 1997. As of 1 August 2023[update], the city has an estimated population of 300,502 persons in 136,628 households[1] and a population density of 332 persons per km². The total area of the city is 906.07 square kilometres (349.84 sq mi).
With the start of the Meiji period, Kubota Domain was abolished, and its castle town divided into the towns of Akita and Kubota. Akita Prefecture was established in 1871, and Shima Yoshitake was named the first governor. Ancient Akita District was divided into Kitaakita and Minamiakita Districts in 1878. Most of Akita town burned down in a great fire on 30 April 1886.
With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on 1 April 1889, the city of Akita was officially established, including former Kubota and Akita towns. The port area was separated into Tsuchizaki-Minato Town, which became part of Minamiakita District. The first city hall was located inside the former Minamiakita District office. In September 1898, the Imperial Japanese Army's 17th Infantry Regiment was based in Akita. The first public library was opened in 1898, electrification of Tsuchizaki began in 1901, and Akita Station was opened in 1902, as well as running water and telephone services in 1907.
The Taishō period brought further development to Akita with Nippon Oil Corporation developing the nearby Kurokawa Oil Fields in 1914, and a branch of the Bank of Japan opening in Akita in 1917.
Shōwa Era
In 1935, Nippon Kogyo (the forerunner of Jomo) began development of the nearby Yabase Oil Fields. Akita Bank was established in 1941.
On 1 April 1997, Akita was designated as a core city with increased autonomy. The Akita Shinkansen began operations the same year. In August 2001, the World Games were held in Akita, with the opening ceremony held in the Yabase Track and Field Stadium. In 2004, the city celebrated its 400th anniversary and its beginnings as Kubota Castle town.
On 11 January 2005, the towns of Kawabe and Yūwa (both from Kawabe District) were merged into Akita. Kawabe District was dissolved as a result of this merger. The location of Akita City Hall did not change, and former Kawabe and Yūwa Town Halls are used as civic centers. The 62nd National Sports Festival of Japan was held in Akita in 2007.
Geography
The city of Akita is located in the coastal plains of central Akita Prefecture, bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west. The Omono River runs through the center of the city.
Censuses have been conducted in Akita since as early as 1873.[2] Per Japanese census data since 1950,[3] the population of Akita peaked in around the year 2000 and has been in decline since then.
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±%
1873
38,118
—
1950
200,525
+426.1%
1960
229,933
+14.7%
1970
257,532
+12.0%
1980
304,823
+18.4%
1990
322,698
+5.9%
2000
336,646
+4.3%
2010
323,363
−3.9%
2020
305,625
−5.5%
Climate
Akita belongs to a climatic transition zone humid subtropical climate (KöppenCfa) and is the most populous city having absolute northern extremity of this climate zone within Japan, bordering very closely with the humid continental climate (KöppenDfa) zone, comparable to New York City, USA. Akita is characterized with cold, very snowy, winters, and hot, humid summers. Monthly averages range from 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in January to 25.0 °C (77.0 °F) in August. Due to its location near the Sea of Japan coast, it receives heavy snowfall, with just above 377 centimetres (148 in) per season, with accumulation occurring mostly from December to March. Precipitation is well-distributed and significant throughout the year, but is greater in the latter half. Over two thirds of all days see some precipitation, either rain or snow.
Climate data for Akita (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1882−present)
Akita has a directly elected mayor and a unicameralcity assembly with 39 members. The city contributes 12 members to the Akita Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Akita District 1 of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
A sunset in the northern outskirts of Akita City
The economy of Akita remains heavily dependent on agriculture (particularly rice cultivation), forestry and mineral extraction. Akita contains one of the most important oil fields in Japan. Oil refining, woodworking, 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 Tōhoku region: Akita Bank and Hokuto Bank.
Akita has 44 city and one national elementary schools, 22 city, one prefectural, one national and one private middle schools, and one combined city middle/high school. There are eight prefectural, one city and seven private high schools, as well as four prefectural and one national special education school.
This representative summer festival began 350 years ago, with similar to tanabata festivals held elsewhere in Japan. During this festival, participants balance 15 meter poles with 230 lanterns on their chins; the main event is held during the evening and night hours, between the 3rd and 6 August each year.
During the festival, Kanto stunt events are held in Senshu Park during daylight hours involving many amateur participants. This event was first held in 1931 and every subsequent year, except between 1935 and 1946 and in 1953 and 1965. [citation needed] Overseas exhibitions of the festival were performed in Hamburg, Germany, in 1988, Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2002, London, UK, in 2004, and as an opening event at the 2001 World Games.
Marian apparitions
Our Lady of Akita is the title of Marian apparitions reported in 1973 by Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa in Yuzawadai, Soegawa, Akita City. The apparitions were approved by the Holy See in 1988.[12] The 1988 approval was issued by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.
In the Narayama Otamachi district of central Akita each February 12–15 a Shinto festival honoring
both Suijin and Kamakura Daimyojin is held inside a shrine made from walls of snow. A rice bale
is set afire at the end of this festival.[13]
^ abc"International Exchange". List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures. Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR). Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
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