- Akashi, Hyōgo
Infobox City Japan
Name= Akashi
JapaneseName= 明石
Map
Region=
Prefecture= Hyōgo
District=
Area_km2= 49.22
PopDate= 2008
Population= 292,659
Density_km2= 5929.89
Coords=
LatitudeDegrees= 34
LatitudeMinutes= 39
LatitudeSeconds=
LongtitudeDegrees= 135
LongtitudeMinutes= 0
LongtitudeSeconds=
Tree=Sweet Osmanthus
Flower=Chrysanthemums
Bird=
Symbol
!border
SymbolDescription= Flag
Mayor=Kitaguchi Hiroto
CityHallPostalCode=
CityHallAddress=
CityHallPhone=
CityHallLink= [http://www.city.akashi.hyogo.jp/ Akashi] nihongo|Akashi|明石市|Akashi-shi is a city located in southernHyōgo Prefecture ,Japan , on theInland Sea west ofKobe .As of 2008, the city has an estimated
population of 292,659 and the density of 5,929.89 persons per km². The total area is 49.22 km².History
Akashi was an important city during Japan's pre-modern period due to the presence of
Akashi Castle , headquarters of theAkashi Domain . The city, in its current form, was founded onNovember 1 ,1919 .Geography
Akashi Municipal Planetarium stands on the meridian of 135 degrees east longitude, and is used to determineJapan Standard Time . Contrary to the name, the terminus of theAkashi-Kaikyo Bridge that connectsHonshū toAwaji Island (and thereby toShikoku ) is not in Akashi but in Tarumi-ku,Kobe .The remains of
Akashi Castle are located just north of the JRAkashi Station and are visible from the station platform.Politics and government
Akashi is governed by Mayor
Kitaguchi Hiroto , an independent. The city assembly has 31 elected members and is dominated by independents.Culture
Akashi is well known for "
Akashiyaki ", a kind of "takoyaki " particular to the region. Small pieces of octopus ("tako") are placed inside a ball-shaped mold containing a mixture of flour and eggs and this is then fried. "Akashiyaki" is often eaten by dipping it in a thin soup. Akashi is the site of the Uo-no-Tana Fish Market where local fishermen display an array of fresh seafood caught in the Akashi strait. The market is popular with local people and tourists alike.External links
* [http://www.city.akashi.hyogo.jp/ Official website]
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