Akita (秋田市, Akita-shi) is a Japanese city in Akita Prefecture on the island of Honshu.^[1] It is the capital city of the prefecture.

History

Akita has been one of the most important cities in the Tōhoku region since ancient times.

The Akita clan (Ando clan) held this part of northern Japan (Mutsu Province) in the 15-16th centuries.^[2]

The Satake clan built Kubota Castle in 1604.^[3]

The modern city of Akita was established on April 1, 1889.^[4]

Geography

Akita is the largest city on the western coast of the Tōhoku region.^[5]

Neighboring cities

• Kitaakita
• Katagami
• Yurihonjō
• Daisen
• Minami-Akita District: Gojōme, Ikawa
• Kita-Akita District: Kamikoani
• Senboku District: Nishiki

Education

• Akita University
• Akita Prefectural University, a public university, is in the city.
• Akita International University is a public university outside of town. Classes are taught only in English.
• North Asia University
• Seirei Women's Junior College
• Akita Nutrition Junior College
• Misono Gakuen Junior College
• Open University of Japan Akita learning center

Local foods and products

• Kiritampo – baked rice
• Sasamaki – rice wrapped in bamboo grass
• Iwagaki – a kind of oyster
• Iburi-gakko – a kind of pickle

Sister / friendship cities

International sister / friendship cities

• August 5, 1982: Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
• April 8, 1984: Passau, Germany
• July 15, 1987: Malabon City, Philippines
• January 22, 1992: Kenai, Alaska, United States of America
• 1993: St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States of America (with Yūwa, Akita, which merged into Akita, Akita)
• June 29, 1992: Vladivostok, Russia

Sister cities in Japan

• Hitachiōta, Ibaraki
• Daigo, Ibaraki

Famous people

• Yukio Endo
• Shingo Kumabayashi