Akashi



Akashi (明石) is a city in Hyogo prefecture, Japan, to the west of Kobe.

Understand
Despite its name, the Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge (明石海峡大橋) is not in Akashi. This second longest suspension bridge in the world connects Awaji Island to Honshu via the city of Kobe. However, if you'd like to admire the bridge from below, ferries to Awaji (see ) that pass right under it depart Akashi every 20 min or so.

Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site. Clicking on Language>English opens a 6-page guide pamphlet.

By train
Akashi is on the JR Sanyō Main Line between Kobe (15 min from Sannomiya) and Himeji (25 min).

To the south is the Sanyo Akashi Station, run by the private company Sanyo Electric Railway. It is on the Sanyo Electric Railway Main Line which connect Himeji to Kobe and runs parallel to the JR line.

The Shinkansen passes through Akashi at Nishi-Akashi (西明石) station. The Kodama, Hikari, and some eastbound Nozomi trains stop here.

By ferry
Jenova Line ferries from Iwaya on the northern tip of Awaji cross over to Akashi every 20 min or so. ¥450 one-way, 13 minutes.

Get around
The JR station and ferry are within easy walking distance of each other.

Buy
Akashi is a major port particularly well known for its seafood, retailing local specialities like sea bream (タイ tai), octopus (タコ tako) and conger eel (穴子 anago).



Eat


Akashi's claim to culinary fame is Akashiyaki (明石焼き), an eggy version of the ubiquitous takoyaki (octopus balls), often dipped into dashi broth before eating. Akashi is also famous for its nori seaweed (明石のり) and bream (鯛).

Go next

 * Inami
 * Harima
 * Kakogawa
 * Takasago
 * Kobe
 * Himeji
 * Tatsuno
 * Ashiya
 * Aioi