Akita Prefecture, Japan

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Akita Prefecture, Japan: Table of Contents

• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Overview
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Map
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: History
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Geography
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Climate
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Transportation
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Politics
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Economy
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Population
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Culture
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Education
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Symbols
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Tourism
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Pictures
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Facts
• Akita Prefecture, Japan: Notables

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Overview

Akita Prefecture (秋田県, Akita-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Map

Map of Akita Prefecture, Japan

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Google Map

• Map of Akita Prefecture, Japan

Akita Prefecture, Japan: History

Separated from the principal Japanese centres of commerce, politics, and population by several hundred kilometres and the ōu and Dewa mountain ranges to the east, Akita remained largely isolated from Japanese society until after the year 600. Akita was a region of hunter-gatherers and principally nomadic tribes.

The first historical record of what is now Akita Prefecture dates to 658, when the Abe no Hirafu conquered the native Ezo tribes at what are now the cities of Akita and Noshiro. Hirafu, then governor of Koshi Province (the northwest part of Honshū bordering the Sea of Japan), established a fort on the Mogami River, and thus began the Japanese settlement of the region.

In 733, a new military settlement—later renamed Akita Castle—was built in modern-day Akita city at Takashimizu, and more permanent roads and structures were developed. The region was used as a base of operations for the Japanese empire as it drove the native Ezo people from northern Honshū.

It shifted hands several times. During the Tokugawa shogunate it was appropriated to the Satake clan, who ruled the region for 260 years, developing the agriculture and mining industries that are still predominant today. Throughout this period, it was classified as part of Dewa Province and remained politically quite stable. In 1871, during the Meiji Restoration, Dewa Province was reshaped and the old daimyo domains were abolished and administratively reconstructed, resulting in the modern-day borders of Akita.

The famous Heian period waka poet, Ono no Komachi, is said to have been born in Yuzawa City, Ogachi Town, located in the southeast of the prefecture.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Early History

In ancient times, many stone implements and earthenware have been excavated in various sites across Akita, and there have also been discoveries of some shell mounds and the remains of prehistoric earth-floor huts.

Remains such as Yonegamori (Kyowa Town) of the Old Stone Age, Sugisawadai (Noshiro City) and the Stone Circles in Oyu (Kazuno City) of the Jomon Period and Isedotai (Takanosu Town) illustrate the life and culture of our ancestors in ancient times.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Middle History

The first historical record of Akita dates back to 658, when Abeno Hirafu and his fleet conquered the Ezo in Akita and Nushiro. In 733, Dewanosaku Fort on the Mogami River was replaced by a new fort that was built at what is now Takashimizu , in Akita City. It was named Akita Castle towards the end of the 8th Century. The remains of Hottanosaku Fort in Senboku Town are an important monument that show us what a Governor's headquarters was like in the Heian Period.

The Kiyohara Family of Dewa province won the rule of Mutsu province after their victory in the War of Zenkunen (1051-1062). However, Kiyohira, a member of the same clan, defeated the main house in the War of Gosannen (1084-1087). He then changed the name back to Fujiwara, as it had been before the Zenkunen War, and became the founder of the Hiraizumi Fujiwara.

Then, in the late 12th Century, Minamoto Yoritomo took over all of Oshu (roughly what is now the Tohoku region) and appointed his followers as Jito (military governors) in every region. In the latter part of the 13th Century, the Asari settled in Hinai and the Onodera in Ogachi. In the 14th Century advanced in Yamamoto Area, the Ando of Tsugaru advanced into the Yamamoto area, and the Onodera of Ogachi enlarged their territories.

The Tozawa of Senboku, who emerged at the end of the 14th Century, the Akita (Ando), and the Onodera, survived the struggle among the daimyo, but were subsequently incorporated under the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had control over the majority of Japan at the end of the 16th Century. When the Tokugawa shogunate took over from Toyotomi, however, they were forced to disperse to different areas.

Following the Battle of Sekigahara in 1602, Satake Yoshinobu was assigned by the Tokugawa as a lord to reign the six provinces of Akita. Over the 12 generations of 260 years that they ruled, they built a solid foundation for Akita to develop its industrial economy and culture after the Meiji Era by fostering education and the production of crops and metals.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Modern History

In 1871, as the han (daimyo domains) were abolished and converted into prefectures, Akita-han became Akita-ken, and part of Ogachi province became Iwasaki-ken. Yuri province was divided into Kameda-ken, Honjo-ken and Yashima-ken, Nikaho became part of Yamagata-ken and kazuno became part of Iwate-ken. However, they were all united to form Akita-ken later that year.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Geography

Akita is located in the northern part of the Tohoku Region, bordering the Sea of Japan. The prefecture is rectangular in shape and runs 181km from north to south, and 111km from east to west. With a total area of 11,612.11 square kilometers, it is the 6th largest prefecture in Japan and contains 9 cities, 50 towns and 10 villages. The 40 degrees north parallel cuts through the middle of the prefecture and also runs through the cities of Beijing, Madrid and New York.

The Ou Mountain Range running north to south marks the border with Iwate Prefecture and is a series of mountains as high as 1000 meters. Running parallel to the west of this range are the Dewa Mountain Ranges that average a height of 400 meters.

Three large rivers (the Yoneshiro, Omono and Koyoshi) created the Noshiro, Akita and Honjo plains between the Dewa Mountains and the Sea of Japan. The Hanawa, Odate and Yokote Basins are all located inland.

Akita has long winters and short summers. The Dewa Mountains divide the region into two distinct climates. The Tsushima current warms the Oga Peninsula and coastal areas and the temperature is moderate all year round. Inland, the summers are hotter and the winters are colder, with large amounts of snow in the Yokote area.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Cities

• Akita (Capital)
• Daisen
• Katagami
• Kazuno
• Kitaakita
• Nikaho
• Noshiro
• Oga
• ōdate
• Semboku
• Yokote
• Yurihonjō
• Yuzawa

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Towns and villages

Kazuno District

• Kosaka

Kitaakita District

• Kamikoani

Minamiakita District

• Gojōme
• Hachirōgata
• Ikawa
• ōgata

Ogachi District

• Higashinaruse
• Ugo

Semboku District

• Misato

Yamamoto District

• Fujisato
• Happō
• Mitane

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Mergers

• On November 1, 2004 - the town of Misato in Semboku District was formed from the merger of the village Sennan and the towns Rokugō and Senhata.
• On January 11, 2005 - the towns of Kawabe and Yūwa from Kawabe District (now dissolved) merged into the city of Akita.
• On March 22, 2005 - the city of Kitaakita was founded from the merger of the former towns of Aikawa, Ani, Moriyoshi, and Takanosu, all from Kitaakita District.
• On March 22, 2005 - the city of ōmagari merged with the towns of Kamioka, Nishisenboku, Nakasen, Kyōwa, Semboku, ōta, and the village of Nangai from Semboku District to form the new city of Daisen.
• On March 22, 2005 - the city of Yurihonjō was formed from the merger of the former city of Honjō and the former towns of Chōkai, Higashiyuri, Iwaki, Nishime, ōuchi, Yashima and Yuri.
• On March 22, 2005 - the towns of Tennō, Iitagawa and Shōwa merged together to form the city of Katagami.
• On March 22, 2005 - the city of Yuzawa was formed from the merger of the old city of Yuzawa and the village of Minase, and the towns of Inakawa, and Ogachi.
• On March 22, 2005 - the city of Oga was formed from the merger of the old city of Oga and the town of Wakami.
• On June 20, 2005 - the towns of Hinai and Tashiro were merged into the city of ōdate.
• On September 20, 2005 - the city of Semboku was formed from the merger of Kakunodate, Tazawako, and Nishiki.
• On October 1, 2005 - the towns of Hiraka, Jūmonji, Masuda, Omonogawa, ōmori, and the villages of Sannai, and Taiyū merged with the old city of Yokote to form the new city of Yokote.
• On October 1, 2005 - the town of Nikaho merged with the towns of Kisakata and Konoura to form the city of Nikaho. With this merger, Yuri District was dissolved.
• On March 20, 2006 - the towns of Hachiryū, Koto'oka, and Yamamoto (all from Yamamoto District) merged together to form the new town of Mitane.
• On March 21, 2006 - the city of Noshiro merged with the town of Futasui from Yamamoto District to form the new city of Noshiro.
• On March 27, 2006 - the town of Hachimori and the village of Minehama from Yamamoto District merged to form the new town of Happō.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Climate

The climate in Akita Prefecture is characterized by short summers and long winters. In fact, central Akita Prefecture has some of the highest snowfalls in all of Japan.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Transportation

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Airports

Akita Airport

Akita Airport offers high-speed access to and from Akita Prefecture. With over a million passengers using the airport every year, it has become one of Tohoku's major airports connecting Akita with five large domestic cities. In 2000, night stay and seven regular flights to Tokyo a day have been realized. In addition, as the first international flight, Akita-Seoul airline is under preparation now to open in summer 2001.

Odate-Noshiro Airport

Akita's second airport, Odate-Noshiro Airport (Akita-kita Airport) opened in July 1998 and has become a major departure point from the region, with regular flights to Tokyo and Osaka.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Rail

Akita's 'Komachi' Shinkansen (bullet train) connects Akita and Tokyo, with the fastest service taking only 3 hours and 49 minutes. There are 15 round trips per day, including one to Sendai. The number of passengers is steadily increasing and the travel times of the slower trains have been improved.

The Nihonkai Engan Tohoku Expressway is currently under construction to connect Niigata, Yamagata, Akita and Aomori Prefectures along the Japan Sea. At the same time, Tohoku Chuo Expressway and other local roads are also being improved.

In July 1999, long distance ferry service between Tomakomai, Akita, Niigata and Tsuruga has been launched.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Roads

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Ports

A long distance ferry service went into operation in July 1999 to facilitate travel between Akita and Tomakomai, Niigata and Tsuruga.

In August 1999, a shipping route between Akita and the Russian port city of Posyet was established. Since Posyet is located near China, traveling distance and time between Akita and Far Eastern Russia, or Northeast China have been significantly reduced. We expect the new route, along with the one that already exists between Akita and Pusan in Korea, will contribute to an increase in trade with these regions.

Akita Port is a major distribution hub in the northern part of the Japan Sea, and is well equipped with gantry cranes and unloaders for handling freight. With the increasing amount of import and export cargo in this port, Akita Port has become more and more important for the region's trade and business.

Akita Prefecture opened an office in Dalian, China in April to promote trade and support businesses in Akita that are interested in doing business overseas. The office conducts market surveys and business tours, and also gathers and offers business-related information.

Akita Prefecture is working hard, with the cooperation of private companies, to establish a stronger base in Japan for trade with other countries located around the Sea of Japan. To accomplish this, we are expanding trade, establishing various transportation networks, and training personnel.

Airline between Akita and Seoul will open in summer 2001. International exchanges in Pan-Japan Sea area is expected to evolve into a new stage.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Politics

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Economy

Like much of the Tōhoku Region, Akita's economy remains dominated by traditional industries, such as agriculture, fishing, and forestry. This has led many young people to migrate to Tokyo and other large cities. Akita Prefecture is where declines in population are most severe in Japan; it is one of four prefectures in Japan registering declines in population since 1945.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Population

• Population: 1,106,050 (35th)
• Density: 95.2 /km2

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Culture

Akita is famous for rice farming and its sake breweries. It is well-known for having the highest consumption of sake in Japan, and thought to be the origin of the Akita breed of dog which carries the prefecture's name. The women of the region, referred to as Akita bijin (秋田美人, 'beauties of Akita'?), have also gained widespread renown for their white skin, rounded faces and high voices, all of which are considered highly desirable. Ono no Komachi is widely known as a famous example of an Akita bijin.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Education

National Universities in Akita Prefecture

• Akita University

Public and Private Universities in Akita Prefecture

• Akita Prefectural University

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Symbols

• Flower: Fuki (A Kind of Butterbur, Petasites Japonicus)
• Tree: Akita-Sugi (Cryptomeria Japonica)
• Bird: Copper Pheasant (Phasianus Soemmerringii)

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Tourism

Near Lake Tazawa, there are a number of hot springs resorts (onsen). These are popular with tourists from all over Japan. In addition, its numerous seasonal festivals (matsuri) offer a glimpse of rural or traditional Japan. Some famous examples are the Akita Kantō, the Omagari Fireworks, Namahage Festival, and the Yokote Kamakura Festivals.

Kakunodate is a particularly charming old town, known as the little Kyoto, full of preserved samurai houses. The Aoyagi house is the former residence of Odano Naotake, the man who illustrated Japan's first modern guide to the human anatomy. The house is now a museum and gallery of medical illustrations and traditional crafts.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Flights

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Hotels

World-Wide Discounted Hotels Reservations.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Restaurants

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Attractions

Akita Prefecture Tourism: Parks & Gardens

Akita Prefecture Tourism: Temples & Shrines

Akita Prefecture Tourism: Landmarks & Key Buildings

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Nightlife

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Shopping

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Cuisine

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Recreation

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Pictures

Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Lake Tazawa, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Oga Peninsula, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Lake Towada, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Lake Towada, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Lake Towada, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Akita Prefectural University, Akita Prefecture, Japan

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Facts

Located in the northwestern Honshu, Japan, on the Sea of Japan coast. Its area of 4,483 square miles (11,612 square km) is divided between lowlands (west) and a plateau region (east). The Hachiman Plateau is dotted with volcanoes such as Mount Komaga (5,371 feet [1,637 m]), near the eastern border with Iwate prefecture. The plateau is covered with white fir trees and alpine plants that grow amid fissures yielding steam, smoke, and boiling mud. In the extreme northeast, on the border with Aomori prefecture, is Towada Lake, which is the central feature of Towada-Hachimantai National Park.

Akita Plain, west of the ōu and Dewa mountain ranges, is crossed by rivers flowing into the Sea of Japan. Chief among them are the Yoneshiro River (north), the Omono River (central), and the Ishizawa River (south). Hachirō Lagoon, on the Oga Peninsula, was once the second largest body of water in Japan after Lake Biwa and was about 50 miles (80 km) in circumference, but it was almost totally reclaimed for rice cultivation during the 10-year period after 1958.

Lumbering is also important in the prefecture. Mineral wealth includes deposits of copper, sulfur, lead, and manganese. Before and immediately after World War II, oil refineries were operated in Akita, along the Sea of Japan, but as crude-oil imports rose sharply, the oil refineries moved to the Pacific coast for convenience of importing. Akita city, the prefecture capital and major city, still produces some petroleum products and chemicals; it is served by the outport of Tsuchizakiminato. Akita University, founded in 1949, is located there. Noshiro is known for its wood products. Other important towns are Honjō, Oga, Yokote, and ōdate. Pop. (1990) city, 302,359; prefecture, 1,227,491.

Akita Prefecture, Japan: Notables

Nozomi Sasaki was born in Akita Prefecture, on Feburary 8, 1988, she is a famous Japanese fashion model, actress and gravure idol.

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