Aki, Kōchi
Aki is a city located in Kōchi Prefecture, Japan on the island of Shikoku. The city was founded on August 1, 1954.
As of April 2017, the city has an estimated population of 17,810 and a population density of 56 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, 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.
Historical sites
- Iwasaki Yatarō : His childhood home is located in Aki, north of the Aki City Train station off of Route 29 in Inokuchi, Aki.
- Noradokei Clock : Located in Doi, Aki along Route 213.
- Samurai Residence : Located in Doi, Aki.
- Sugio Shrine
- 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 : 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 Station Jiba-San Market : Located within the station's main building, local produce, plants, bakery goods, Aki City omiyage, and home-made bento are brought/made fresh every day and sold cheaply.
- Aki Dome: This is where the Hanshin Tigers practice in the spring and play their first game of the season. It draws Hanshin Tigers fans every year from all over Japan. The Dome is located in Sakuragaoka-machi and is visible along Kokudo Route 55. One can also access the Dome by going to Jyūjōmae Station.
- Aki City Calligraphy Museum : Located in Doi-chō, 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 : Located in Doi-chō, 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
- Kikusui Sake Brewing Company : 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 "Shimantogawa" sake.
- Arimitsu Brewing Company: A very small sake brewery located in Akano-chō, Aki City 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", 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-Chō, Aki City. Nasu park is known for the playground equipment shaped like vegetables. 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 may 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 were created in Aki City.
Culture
Every August, Aki City holds a Yosakoi 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 or calligraphy, the Aki City Calligraphy Museum holds a nationwide 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 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
- Shimoyama E.S
- Higashigawa E.S
- Inokuchi E.S
- Ioki E.S
- Akano E.S
- Ananai E.S
- Kawakita E.S
- Doi E.S
Jr. High Schools
- Aki Junior High School
- Seisuigaoka Junior High School
- Aki Prefectural Junior High School
High schools
- Aki High School
- Sakuragauka High School
Local Restaurants
- Chez Nous: Located along Route 55 in Ioki-Cho, Chez Nous is well known for their Soup Curry and macha 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 zakka also sells home-made bento and hand-made goods. There is also an "ice cream" stand in front of the shop which sells experimental flavors of ice cream including egg, tomato, baked eggplant, pumpkin, and baked sweet potato.
- Oncahnchi: This restaurant is well known for their fried chicken.
Mars