Akkeshi, Hokkaido
| Akkeshi 厚岸町 | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Location of Akkeshi in Hokkaido (Kushiro Subprefecture) | |
  Akkeshi Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 43°3′N 144°51′E / 43.050°N 144.850°ECoordinates: 43°3′N 144°51′E / 43.050°N 144.850°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Hokkaido |
| Prefecture | Hokkaido (Kushiro Subprefecture) |
| District | Akkeshi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 734.82 km2 (283.72 sq mi) |
| Population (April 2016) | |
| • Total | 9,903 |
| • Density | 13/km2 (35/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) |
| Website |
www |
Akkeshi (厚岸町 Akkeshi-chou) is a village located in Akkeshi District, Kushiro Sub-prefecture, Hokkaido. As of April 2016, it has an estimated population of 9,903 and an area of 734.82 km². Lake Akkeshi is a Ramsar Site.
History
- Edo Period - Was a penal colony for the Matsumae-han.
- 1850 - An Australian whaling barque "Eamont" ran aground near Akkeshi. Crew members were rescued and with the assistance of locals, eventually repatrioted via Nagasaki. The remains of this ship, recovered in 1985, is now displayed at the Akkeshi Maritime Museum. This event became the basis for a sister city relationship with Clarence, Tasmania. [1]
- 1900 - 4 towns and 7 villages combine, forming the town of Akkeshi
- 1917 - Inauguration of Akkeshi Railway Station
- 1955 - The south half of the former Ota Village merges with Akkeshi
Sights
Shinryu, the northern part of the town is linked to Honcho, the southern part, by a bridge offering a scenic view of the lagoon which separates both parts. The length of the bridge is 456 m.[2]
Kokutai-ji is a Buddhist temple in Honcho which was founded in 1802. It is one of the oldest and most important temple of Hokkaido.[3] The temple is operated by Rinzai school, one of three sects of Zen in Japanese Buddhism. Missionary activities to convert the Ainu started here in 1804.
The modern Town Hall which is in Shinryu is worth a visit as well.
Traffic connections
Akkeshi is about 50 km east of Kushiro on the east coast of Hokkaido. The town is on Nemuro Sen railway line and can be reached by train from Kushiro and Nemuro several times a day. The railway station is in Shinryu. The nearest airport is in Kushiro.
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Akkeshi railway station
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Kokutai Ji Shrine
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View from Kokutai Ji Shrine
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Akkeshi Lagoon
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Town Hall
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Akkeshi High Street
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Akkeshi High Street
References
- ↑ http://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Akkeshi-Report.pdf
- ↑ Karl Baedeker Guide: Japan, p. 258. Ostfildern-Kemnat 1999
- ↑ Yama-kei Publishers: JGuide 21 Hokkaido, p. 298, Osaka 2001. ISBN 4-635-01071-6
External links
Media related to Akkeshi, Hokkaidō at Wikimedia Commons- Official website (Japanese)
