is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku region of Honshu. Its population is estimated 915,691 as of 1 August 2023 and its geographic area is 11,637 km<sup>2</sup> (4,493 sq mi). Akita Prefecture is bordered by Aomori Prefecture to the north, Iwate Prefecture to the east, Miyagi Prefecture to the southeast, and Yamagata Prefecture to the south.
Akita is the capital and largest city of Akita Prefecture. Other major cities include Yokote, Daisen, and Yurihonjō. Akita Prefecture is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan and extends east to the Ōu Mountains, the longest mountain range in Japan, at the border with Iwate Prefecture. Akita Prefecture formed the northern half of the historic Dewa Province with Yamagata Prefecture.
History
The region of Akita was created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu.
Separated from the principal Japanese centres of commerce, politics, and population by several hundred kilometres and by 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 Abe no Hirafu conquered the native Ezo tribes at what are now the cities of Akita and Noshiro. Abe, then governor of Koshi Province (the northwestern 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 what is now the Takashimizu area of Akita, 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.
Governance of the region shifted hands several times. During the Tokugawa shogunate it was appropriated to the Satake clan, who ruled the region for 260 years and developed the agriculture and mining industries that are still predominant today. Throughout this period, it was classified as part of Dewa Province.|39=1970|40=1,241,376|41=1975|42=1,232,481|43=1980|44=1,256,745|45=1985|46=1,254,032|47=1990|48=1,227,478|49=1995|50=1,213,667|51=2000|52=1,189,279|53=2005|54=1,145,501|55=2010|56=1,085,997|57=2015|58=1,023,119|11=1880|12=618,833|9=1872|10=582,297|60=959,502|59=2020
Located on the north-western side of Honshu, Akita Prefecture is adjacent to the Sea of Japan to the west and borders four other prefectures: Aomori in the north, Iwate in the east, Miyagi in the southeast, and Yamagata in the south.
The borders of Akita Prefecture roughly form a rectangle that is 169 kilometres (105 miles) from north to south and 86 kilometres (54 miles) from west to east. The Oga Peninsula is a prominent feature of the western edge, while the Ōu Mountains mark the eastern border and the higher Dewa Mountains run parallel through the center. Like much of northern Japan, the prefecture has cold winters, particularly in areas farther from the sea.
As of 31 March 2019, 11% of the total land area of the prefecture is designated as Natural Parks, namely the Towada-Hachimantai National Park; Chōkai, Kurikoma, and Oga Quasi-National Parks; and Akita Shirakami, Hachimori Iwadate, Kimimachizaka, Magi Mahiru, Moriyoshizan, Taiheizan, Tashirodake, and Tazawako Dakigaeri Prefectural Natural Parks.
Cities
Thirteen cities are located in Akita Prefecture:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |Population density (per km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
!Rōmaji
!Kanji
|-
|frameless|25x25px Akita (capital)
|秋田市
|906.07
|305,625
|337.31
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Daisen
|大仙市
|866.77
|81,133
|93.60
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Katagami
|潟上市
|97.76
|32,585
|333.32
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Kazuno
|鹿角市
|707.52
|30,715
|43.41
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Kitaakita
|北秋田市
|1,152.76
|31,504
|27.33
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Nikaho
|にかほ市
|241.13
|24,291
|100.74
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Noshiro
|能代市
|426.95
|52,283
|122.46
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Oga
|男鹿市
|241.09
|26,930
|111.70
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Ōdate
|大館市
|913.22
|71,558
|78.36
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Semboku
|仙北市
|1,093.64
|25,857
|23.64
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Yokote
|横手市
|692.8
|89,574
|129.29
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Yurihonjō
|由利本荘市
|1,209.6
|76,077
|62.89
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Yuzawa
|湯沢市
|790.91
|44,346
|56.07
|frameless|85x85px
|}
Towns and villages
These are the towns and villages in each district:
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" |Name
! rowspan="2" |Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |Population
! rowspan="2" |Population density (per km<sup>2</sup>)
! rowspan="2" |District
! rowspan="2" |Type
! rowspan="2" |Map
|-
!Rōmaji
!Kanji
|-
|frameless|25x25px Fujisato
|藤里町
|281.98
|3,180
|11.28
|Yamamoto District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Gojōme
|五城目町
|214.94
|9,015
|41.94
|Minamiakita District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Hachirōgata
|八郎潟町
|17
|5,749
|338.18
|Minamiakita District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Happō
|八峰町
|234.14
|7,025
|30
|Yamamoto District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Higashinaruse
|東成瀬村
|203.57
|2,512
|12.34
|Ogachi District
|Village
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Ikawa
|井川町
|47.95
|4,658
|97.14
|Minamiakita District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Kamikoani
|上小阿仁村
|256.72
|2,247
|8.75
|Kitaakita District
|Village
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Kosaka
|小坂町
|201.7
|4,986
|24.72
|Kazuno District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Misato
|美郷町
|168.34
|19,337
|114.87
|Senboku District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Mitane
|三種町
|248.09
|16,172
|65.19
|Yamamoto District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Ōgata
|大潟村
|170.11
|3,164
|18.60
|Minamiakita District
|Village
|frameless|85x85px
|-
|frameless|25x25px Ugo
|羽後町
|230.78
|14,639
|63.43
|Ogachi District
|Town
|frameless|85x85px
|}
Mergers
List of governors of Akita Prefecture (from 1947)
{| class="wikitable"
!Nº
!Name
!Term start
!Term end
!Notes <small>(political party)</small>
|-
! 1
| Kosaku Hasuike (蓮池公咲)
| 12 April 1947
| 4 April 1951
| Akita Prefecture Democratic Party (秋田県民主党)
|-
! 2
| Tokuji Ikeda (池田徳治)
| 30 April 1951
| 29 April 1955
| Independent (無所属)
|-
! 3
| Yujiro Obata (小畑勇二郎)
| 30 April 1955
| 29 April 1979
| Independent
|-
! 4
| Kikuji Sasaki (佐々木喜久治)
| 30 April 1979
| 31 March 1997
| Independent
|-
! 5
| Sukeshiro Terata (寺田典城)
| 20 April 1997
| 19 April 2009
| Independent
|-
! 6
| Norihisa Satake (佐竹敬久)
| 20 April 2009
| 19 April 2025
| Independent
|-
! 7
| Kenta Suzuki (鈴木健太)
| 20 April 2025
|
| Independent
|}
Economy and population
thumb|274x274px|Akita prefecture population pyramid in 2020
thumb|Note: Data in the chart above was taken over the course of five years (2003-2008). The graph shows how many people migrated to Akita City from other prefectures. Overall the net gain of new residents was 4,981 people, or 1.5%.
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 has seen some of the most severe population decline in Japan: it is one of four prefectures in Japan registering declines in population since 1955. Its population also has the lowest percentage of children (defined as under the age of 15), at 9.3% in 2022, down from 11.2% in 2010. 38.6% of residents are 65 or older, the highest percentage of any Japanese prefecture.]]
Akita, 秋田, meaning autumn rice paddy, is famous for rice farming and its sake breweries. It is well known for having the highest consumption of sake in Japan and is 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 , 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 a famous example of an Akita bijin.
Food
Akita is known for the following regional specialties (tokusanhin):
- Kiritanpo Nabe
- Gakko
- Rice – Akita komachi
- Sake
Sports
thumb|left|[[Akita Sports Plus ASP Stadium.]]
- Akita Bank Red Arrows, women's basketball team.
- Akita Northern Bullets, rugby union team.
- Akita Northern Happinets, men's basketball team.
- Blaublitz Akita, association football team.
- Prestige International Aranmare Akita, women's basketball team.
Tourism
thumb|right|[[Samurai house in Kakunodate]]
Recently there have been efforts to revitalize rural communities facing depopulation with different forms of green tourism and agritourism. These efforts are primarily aimed at attracting urbanites and foreign tourists to Akita Prefecture, advertising its pristine forests, sprawling rice fields, and range of cultures.
Near Lake Tazawa, there are a number of hot springs resorts (onsen). These are popular with tourists from all over Japan. In addition, 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, known as the little Kyoto, features many preserved samurai houses. The Aoyagi house is the former residence of Odano Naotake, who illustrated Japan's first modern guide to human anatomy. The house is now a museum and gallery of medical illustrations and traditional crafts.
Starting in 2009, Akita began experiencing a huge surge in Korean tourism after the airing of the popular drama Iris, which featured several scenes shot in Akita, most notably at Lake Tazawa and Oga's GAO Aquarium.
Famous festival and events
thumb|right|Yokote Kamakura Festival in February
thumb|right|A night view of Akita Kanto Festival in August
thumb|right|A performance of [[Namahage in Oga, an annual event on New Year's Eve]]
- Kariwano Big Tug Festival, Daisen (February)
- Amekko Festival, Odate (February)
- Kamakura Snow Statue Event, Yokote (February)
- Tsuchizaki Shinmei Festival, Akita (July)
- Akita Kanto Festival, Akita (August)
- Nishimonai Bon Dancing Festival, Ugo (August)
- Kemanai Bon Dancing Festival, Daisen (August)
- All Japan Firework Competition, Daisen (August)
- Kakunodate Festival, Semboku (September)
Transportation
Railroads
thumb|right|250px|JR Akita Station
- Akita Nairiku Jukan Tetsudo ("Akita Inland Longitudinal Railway")
- Akita Nairiku Line
- JR East
- Akita Shinkansen
- Gono Line
- Hanawa Line
- Kitakami Line
- Oga Line
- Ōu Main Line
- Tazawako Line
- Uetsu Main Line
- Yuri Kogen Railway
- Chōkai Sanroku Line
Roads
Expressways
- Akita Expressway
- Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway
- Tōhoku-Chūō Expressway
- Tohoku Expressway
National highways
- Route 7 (-Nikaho-Yurihonjō-Akita-Katagami-Ikawa-Gojōme-Hachirōgata-Mitane-Noshiro-Kitaakita-Ōdate-)
- Route 13 (-Yuzawa-Yokote-Misato-Daisen-Akita)
- Route 46 (-Semboku-Daisen-Akita)
- Route 101 (-Happō-Noshiro-Mitane-Oga-Katagami-Akita)
- Route 103 (-Kosaka-Kazuno-Ōdate)
- Route 104 (-Kazuno-Ōdate)
- Route 105 (Yurihonjō-Daisen-Semboku-Kitaakita)
- Route 107 (-Yokote-Yurihonjō)
- Route 108 (-Yuzawa-Yurihonjō)
- Route 282 (-Kazuno-Kosaka-)
- Route 341 (Kazuno-Semboku-Daisen-Akita-Yurihonjō)
- Route 342 (Yokote-Higashinaruse-)
- Route 397 (-Higashinaruse-Yokote)
- Route 398 (-Yuzawa-Ugo-Yurihonjō)
- Route 454 (-Kazuno-Towada, Aomori-Kosaka-)
thumb|right|250px|Odate Noshiro Airport
Airports
- Akita Airport
- Odate-Noshiro Airport
Education
Universities in Akita Prefecture
- Akita International University
- Akita Prefectural University
- Akita University
- Akita University of Nursing and Welfare
- North Asia University
Media
Television
- Akita Asahi Broadcasting (AAB)
- Akita Broadcasting System (ABS)
- Akita Television (AKT)
- NHK Akita Broadcasting (NHK)
Notes
References
- Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ; OCLC 58053128
External links
- Akita Prefecture Official Website
- Foreign language
- STAY AKITA - Akita Tourism Federation