Akishima (昭島市 Akishima Shi) is a small city in western Tokyo, with a population of about 113,000 people (2020). The city is known for it's pure water and lush greenery.
Understand
[edit]|
Discovery of the Akishima Whale
In the summer of 1961, a father was playing in the river with his son when he found what appeared to be a whale fossil, buried in the riverbank. This fossil was excavated and named the Akishima whale. The city was fascinated by the whale, and decided to make it their official symbol. In 1973, the city held its first summer festival, and it featured a float of a whale. 51 years after the initial discovery of the fossil, in 2012, whale researcher Toshiyuki Kimura and his team decided to compare it with other whale fossils from from all over the world, and concluded the whale was a unique species, which they named Eschrichtius akishimaensis, after Akishima. |
Tourist information
[edit]- 1 Akishima Tourist Information (Tokyo Tourist Information Desk), Daikanyama 2-3-6 (down the stairs from the north exit of Akishima Station), ☏ +81 42 519-2331, [email protected]. Tu–F 9:00–18:00. Sa Su, Oct–Mar, holidays 9:00–17:00. Closed Mondays. Local souvenirs and postcards are for sale, and you can deposit your baggage.
- Akishima Tourism Association (昭島観光), ☏ +81 42 519-2114. M–F 9:00–17:00.
- Akishima City (昭島市役所). Official city website.
Get in
[edit]
By train
[edit]- 1 Akishima Station (昭島駅).
Get around
[edit]See
[edit].jpg)
- 1 Akishimaensis (アキシマエンシス 教育福祉総合センター Akishimaensis General Center for Education and Welfare). Closed on Mondays. Educational facility that contains a local heritage museum and a public library. Has a massive life-size replica of the Akishima whale fossil.
- 2 Showa Kinen Park (国営昭和記念公園). The largest park in Tokyo. Spanning over 160 hectares, this huge park boasts a variety of natural spaces, seasonal flowers, water features, museums and sports facilities. The park was opened in 1983 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign.
- 3 Haijima Park (拝島公園). Has one of the oldest Wisteria trees in Tokyo: it's over 800 years old!
- 4 Haijimadaishi Temple (拝島大師). Buddhist temple next to Haijima Park.
- 5 The Furniture Museum (家具の博物館). Houses over 1800 pieces of antique furniture, both Japanese and European.
Do
[edit]Festivals and events
[edit]- Akashima Whale Festival (昭島市民くじら祭 Kujira Matsuri), ☏ +81 42 543-8186, [email protected]. 2 days in August. Fireworks start at 20:00. Features fireworks and a parade with a giant whale float.
Buy
[edit]You can buy local souvenirs at Akishima Tourist Information, see "Understand".
Eat
[edit]- Sojibo (そじ坊) (Floor 1 of MoriTown), ☏ +81 50 5597-0983. Daily 11:00–22:00. Serves fresh soba made from scratch. Gets rave reviews. Name means "monk of the buckwheat path". ¥1000–2000.
Drink
[edit].jpg)
- 1 Mulberry Field (マルベリーフィールド), Nakagami-cho 1176-36 (1 min walk from Nakagami Station north exit), ☏ +81 42 544-3746. M–F 7:00-18:00 Sa Su 9:00–18:00. Small cozy bookshop/cafe where you can read a book while drinking good coffee. Also sells sandwiches and various sweets. ¥1000–2000, ¥100 charge to eat in.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Hotel S&S (Akishima Station Hotel), Tanaka-cho 562-8 (1 min walk from Akishima Station north exit), ☏ +81 42 545-7200, fax: +81 42 545-7201. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Simple business hotel. ¥8600 single bed room, ¥13860 double bed room.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Hachioji, home to the famous Mount Takao.