Editing Akita Prefecture

{{Short description|Prefecture of Japan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name = Akita Prefecture
| native_name              = {{nobold|{{lang|ja|秋田県}}}}
| settlement_type          = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| translit_lang1           = Japanese
| translit_lang1_type      = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| translit_lang1_info      = {{lang|ja|秋田県}}
| translit_lang1_type1     = [[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
| translit_lang1_info1     = {{lang|ja-Latn|Akita-ken}}
| image_skyline            = {{Multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 290
| image_style = border:1;
| perrow = 1/2/2
| image1 = Lake Tazawa and Kansa-gū 20210213.jpg
| caption1 = [[Lake Tazawa]]
| image2 = 玉川温泉 - panoramio.jpg
| caption2 = [[Tamagawa Onsen]]
| image3 = Bukeyashiki Street in Kakunodate 20161106b.jpg
| caption3 = [[Kakunodate, Akita|Kakunodate]]
| image4 = Akita-Osarizawa Mine-xl.jpg
| caption4 = Osarizawa Mine
| image5 = Kamakura at Yokote Castle 202402.jpg
| caption5 = [[Kamakura (snow dome)|Kamakura]]
}}
| image_flag               = Flag of Akita Prefecture.svg
| flag_size                = 100px
| image_blank_emblem       = Emblem of Akita Prefecture.svg
| blank_emblem_size        = 80px
| blank_emblem_type        = Symbol
| image_map                = Map of Japan with highlight on 05 Akita prefecture.svg
| coordinates              = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|Japan}}
| subdivision_type1        = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Tōhoku region|Tōhoku]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of islands of Japan|Island]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Honshu]]
| seat_type                = [[List of capitals in Japan|Capital]]
| seat                     = [[Akita, Akita|Akita (city)]]
| parts_type               = Subdivisions
| parts_style              = para
| p1                       = [[Districts of Japan|Districts]]: 6
| p2                       = [[Municipalities of Japan|Municipalities]]: 25
| leader_title             = [[List of prefectural governors in Japan|Governor]]
| leader_name              = [[Kenta Suzuki (politician)|Kenta Suzuki]]
| area_total_km2           = 11637.52
| area_water_percent       = 0.7
| area_rank                = [[List of Japanese prefectures by area|6th]]
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 915691
| population_as_of         = August 1, 2023
| population_rank          = [[List of Japanese prefectures by population|38th]]
| population_density_km2   = auto
| demographics_type2              = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes         = <ref>{{Cite web |title=2020年度国民経済計算（2015年基準・2008SNA） : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府 |url=https://www.esri.cao.go.jp/jp/sna/data/data_list/kakuhou/files/2020/2020_kaku_top.html |access-date=2023-05-18 |website=内閣府ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1            = Total
| demographics2_info1   = [[JP¥]] 3,625 billion<br />[[US$]] 33.3 billion (2019)
| iso_code                 = JP-05
| website                  = {{ URL | 1=https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/en/pages/en?lang=en | 2=Akita Prefecture Official page of English }}
| module                   = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| country  = Japan
| bird     = [[Copper pheasant]] (''Phasianus soemmerringii'')
| fish     = 
| flower   = [[Fuki]] (a kind of [[butterbur]], ''Petasites japonicus'')
| tree     = [[Cryptomeria japonica|Akita-sugi]] (''Cryptomeria japonica'')
}}
| population_blank1_title  = Dialects
| population_blank1        = [[Akita dialect|Akita]]・[[Nanbu dialect#Spoken area and regional variation#Akita Prefecture|Nanbu (Kazuno)]]
| anthem                   = [[:ja:秋田県民歌|Akita Kenminka]] and [[:ja:県民の歌 (秋田県)|Kenmin no uta]]
}}

{{Nihongo|'''Akita Prefecture'''|秋田県|Akita-ken|{{IPA|ja|aꜜ.kʲi̥.ta, a.kʲi̥.taꜜ.keɴ}}<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ja:NHK日本語発音アクセント新辞典|publisher=NHK Publishing|editor=NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute|date=24 May 2016|lang=ja}}</ref>}} is a [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture]] of [[Japan]] located in the [[Tōhoku region]] of [[Honshu]].<ref name="nussbaum780">Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Provinces and prefectures" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 780|page=780}}; "Tōhoku" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 970|page=970}}.</ref> Its population is estimated 915,691 as of 1 August 2023 and its geographic area is 11,637 [[Square kilometre|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, Akita|Akita]] is the capital and largest city of Akita Prefecture.  Other major cities include [[Yokote, Akita|Yokote]], [[Daisen, Akita|Daisen]], and [[Yurihonjō]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Akita" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 20|page=20}}.</ref> 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 ==
{{See also|Historic Sites of Akita Prefecture}}

The region of Akita was created from the ancient provinces of [[Dewa Province|Dewa]] and [[Mutsu Province|Mutsu]].<ref>Nussbaum, "Provinces and prefectures" in {{Google books|p2QnPijAEmEC|p. 780|page=780}}</ref>

Separated from the principal Japanese centres of commerce, politics, and population by several hundred kilometres and by the [[Ōu Mountains|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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}}

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, Akita|Noshiro]]. Abe, then governor of [[Koshi Province (Japan)|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]].<ref name="nussbaum780"/> In 1871, during the [[Meiji Restoration]], Dewa Province was reshaped and the old [[Han (administrative division)|daimyō domains]] were abolished and administratively reconstructed, resulting in the modern-day borders of Akita.

The famous [[Heian period]] [[Waka (poetry)|waka]] poet, [[Ono no Komachi]], is said to have been born in Yuzawa City, Ogachi Town, located in the southeast of the prefecture.

== Geography ==
[[File:Map of Akita Prefecture, Ja.svg|thumb|Map of Akita Prefecture<br />{{legend0|#F6BAD3|City}} {{legend0|#ECE3B4|Town}} {{legend0|#B6F2DC|Village}}]]
[[File:MtChokaiFromOkojoland.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mount Chōkai]]]]
[[File:View_from_Kubota_Castle_20170330.jpg|thumb|right|Akita City]]
[[File:View of Yokote City from Akita Museum of Modern Art.jpg|thumb|right|Yokote]]
[[File:Odate city area 202005.jpg|thumb|right|Ōdate]]
{{historical populations|13=1890|14=697,298|15=1903|16=837,665|17=1913|18=943,628|19=1920|20=898,537|21=1925|22=936,408|23=1930|24=987,706|25=1935|26=1,037,744|27=1940|28=1,052,275|29=1945|30=1,211,871|31=1950|32=1,309,031|33=1955|34=1,348,871|35=1960|36=1,335,580|37=1965|38=1,279,835|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/index.html|title=Statistics Bureau Home Page|website=www.stat.go.jp}}</ref>|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 Prefecture|Aomori]] in the north, [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]] in the east, [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] in the southeast, and [[Yamagata Prefecture|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 [[List of national parks of Japan|Natural Parks]], namely the [[Towada-Hachimantai National Park]]; [[Chōkai Quasi-National Park|Chōkai]], [[Kurikoma Quasi-National Park|Kurikoma]], and [[Oga Quasi-National Park|Oga]] Quasi-National Parks; and [[Akita Shirakami Prefectural Natural Park|Akita Shirakami]], [[Hachimori Iwadate Prefectural Natural Park|Hachimori Iwadate]], [[Kimimachizaka Prefectural Natural Park|Kimimachizaka]], [[Magi Mahiru Prefectural Natural Park|Magi Mahiru]], [[Moriyoshizan Prefectural Natural Park|Moriyoshizan]], [[Taiheizan Prefectural Natural Park (Akita)|Taiheizan]], [[Tashirodake Prefectural Natural Park|Tashirodake]], and [[Tazawako Dakigaeri Prefectural Natural Park|Tazawako Dakigaeri]] Prefectural Natural Parks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.env.go.jp/park/doc/data/natural/naturalpark_4.pdf |script-title=ja:自然公園都道府県別面積総括 |trans-title=General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture |language=ja |publisher=[[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]] |access-date=17 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/pages/archive/1338 |script-title=ja:秋田の自然マップ |trans-title=Akita Nature Map |language=ja |publisher=Akita Prefecture |access-date=17 August 2019}}</ref>

===Cities===
{{See also|List of cities in Akita Prefecture by population}}
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
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Akita, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Akita (city)|Akita]] (capital)
|秋田市
|906.07
|305,625
|337.31
|[[File:Akita in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Daisen, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Daisen, Akita|Daisen]]
|大仙市
|866.77
|81,133
|93.60
|[[File:Daisen in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Katagami, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Katagami, Akita|Katagami]]
|潟上市
|97.76
|32,585
|333.32
|[[File:Katagami in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kazuno Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kazuno, Akita|Kazuno]]
|鹿角市
|707.52
|30,715
|43.41
|[[File:Kazuno in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kitaakita, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kitaakita]]
|北秋田市
|1,152.76
|31,504
|27.33
|[[File:Kitaakita in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Nikaho Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Nikaho, Akita|Nikaho]]
|にかほ市
|241.13
|24,291
|100.74
|[[File:Nikaho in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Noshiro, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Noshiro, Akita|Noshiro]]
|能代市
|426.95
|52,283
|122.46
|[[File:Noshiro in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Oga, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Oga, Akita|Oga]]
|男鹿市
|241.09
|26,930
|111.70
|[[File:Oga in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Odate, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōdate]]
|大館市
|913.22
|71,558
|78.36
|[[File:Odate in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Senboku, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Semboku, Akita|Semboku]]
|仙北市
|1,093.64
|25,857
|23.64
|[[File:Senboku in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yokote Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yokote, Akita|Yokote]]
|横手市
|692.8
|89,574
|129.29
|[[File:Yokote in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yurihonjo, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yurihonjō]]
|由利本荘市
|1,209.6
|76,077
|62.89
|[[File:Yurihonjo in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Yuzawa, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Yuzawa, Akita|Yuzawa]]
|湯沢市
|790.91
|44,346
|56.07
|[[File:Yuzawa in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|}

===Towns and villages===
These are the towns and villages in each [[Districts of Japan|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
|-
![[Romanization of Japanese|Rōmaji]]
![[Kanji]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Fujisato, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Fujisato, Akita|Fujisato]]
|藤里町
|281.98
|3,180
|11.28
|[[Yamamoto District, Akita|Yamamoto District]]
|Town
|[[File:Fujisato in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Gojome Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Gojōme, Akita|Gojōme]]
|五城目町
|214.94
|9,015
|41.94
|[[Minamiakita District, Akita|Minamiakita District]]
|Town
|[[File:Gojome in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Hachirogata Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Hachirōgata, Akita|Hachirōgata]]
|八郎潟町
|17
|5,749
|338.18
|[[Minamiakita District, Akita|Minamiakita District]]
|Town
|[[File:Hachirogata in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Happo, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Happō, Akita|Happō]]
|八峰町
|234.14
|7,025
|30
|[[Yamamoto District, Akita|Yamamoto District]]
|Town
|[[File:Happo in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Higashinaruse, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Higashinaruse, Akita|Higashinaruse]]
|東成瀬村
|203.57
|2,512
|12.34
|[[Ogachi District, Akita|Ogachi District]]
|Village
|[[File:Higashinaruse in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ikawa, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ikawa, Akita|Ikawa]]
|井川町
|47.95
|4,658
|97.14
|[[Minamiakita District, Akita|Minamiakita District]]
|Town
|[[File:Ikawa in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kamikoani, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kamikoani, Akita|Kamikoani]]
|上小阿仁村
|256.72
|2,247
|8.75
|[[Kitaakita District, Akita|Kitaakita District]]
|Village
|[[File:Kamikoani in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Kosaka, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Kosaka, Akita|Kosaka]]
|小坂町
|201.7
|4,986
|24.72
|[[Kazuno District, Akita|Kazuno District]]
|Town
|[[File:Kosaka in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Misato, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Misato, Akita|Misato]]
|美郷町
|168.34
|19,337
|114.87
|[[Senboku District, Akita|Senboku District]]
|Town
|[[File:Misato in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Mitane, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Mitane, Akita|Mitane]]
|三種町
|248.09
|16,172
|65.19
|[[Yamamoto District, Akita|Yamamoto District]]
|Town
|[[File:Mitane in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ogata, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ōgata, Akita|Ōgata]]
|大潟村
|170.11
|3,164
|18.60
|[[Minamiakita District, Akita|Minamiakita District]]
|Village
|[[File:Ogata in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|-
|[[File:Flag of Ugo, Akita.svg|frameless|25x25px]] [[Ugo, Akita|Ugo]]
|羽後町
|230.78
|14,639
|63.43
|[[Ogachi District, Akita|Ogachi District]]
|Town
|[[File:Ugo in Akita Prefecture Ja.svg|frameless|85x85px]]
|}

===Mergers===
{{Main|List of mergers in Akita Prefecture}}

==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 (politician)|Kenta Suzuki]] (鈴木健太)
| 20 April 2025
| 
| Independent
|}

== Economy and population ==
[[File:Akita prefecture population pyramid in 2020.svg|thumb|274x274px|Akita prefecture population pyramid in 2020]]
[[File:Akita City New Residents.jpg|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%.<ref name=":0">Quinones, C. Kenneth. “Chapter 2: Akita City.” ''Akita-Beyond the Road's Narrow End'', Mineo Nakajima, 2011, pp. 26–27.</ref>]]
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Number of children in Japan falls to record low for 29th year in row |agency=[[Kyodo News]] |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100504x2.html |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |date=May 4, 2010 |access-date=May 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606040430/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100504x2.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Statistics Bureau Home Page/Population Estimates/Current Population Estimates as of October 1, 2022 |url=https://www.stat.go.jp/english/data/jinsui/2022np/index.html |access-date=2023-06-21 |website=www.stat.go.jp}}</ref> 38.6% of residents are 65 or older, the highest percentage of any Japanese prefecture.<ref name=":1" /> As of October 1, 2022, it has an estimated population of 944,902 people.<ref name=":1" />

The high rate of depopulation in Akita Prefecture has led smaller communities to merge with each other, which has affected the smallest of these merged communities. As depopulation in these communities continues, educational and health facilities have closed in some areas, encouraging families to migrate to larger cities for better access to health and educational opportunities and perpetuating the decline in population. This decline, [[Aging of Japan|combined with an aging population]], has been concerning for rural communities.<ref name=":0" />

==Culture==
Akita, 秋田, meaning autumn rice paddy, is famous for rice farming and its [[sake]] breweries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Omura |first=Mika |title=Weekend: Sake breweries go with the flow to survive |url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200911060122.html |date=November 6, 2009 |access-date=December 29, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It is well known for having the highest consumption of [[sake]] in Japan<ref>[http://www.media-akita.or.jp/akita-sake/shun-ginjoE.html ''The Appellation System for Sake in Akita Prefecture and Development Program for Akita Shun-ginjo'', Kyuichi Saito, Journal of the Brewing Society of Japan; Vol. 87, No.11, 1992] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616084754/http://www.media-akita.or.jp/akita-sake/shun-ginjoE.html |date=June 16, 2007 }}</ref> and is thought to be the origin of the [[Akita dog|Akita]] breed of dog which carries the prefecture's name. The women of the region, referred to as {{Nihongo|''Akita bijin''|秋田美人|'beauties of Akita'}}, have also gained widespread renown for their white skin, rounded faces and high voices, all of which are considered highly desirable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nihonscope.com/japan-geography/akita-prefecture-culture-sightseeing-history/|title=Akita Prefecture - Culture, Sightseeing and History -|date=August 24, 2016|website=nihonscope.com|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> [[Ono no Komachi]] is a famous example of an ''Akita bijin''.

=== Food ===
Akita is known for the following regional specialties ([[tokusanhin]]):

* [[Kiritanpo]] [[Nabemono|Nabe]]
* Gakko<ref>[http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0220.html ''Akita Prefectural Guide'', AKITA Prefecture] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117055108/http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0220.html |date=January 17, 2011 }}</ref>
* Rice – [[Akita komachi]]
* [[Sake]]

=== Sports ===
[[File:Akita Football Stadium 1.JPG|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blaublitz.jp/|title=ブラウブリッツ秋田|website=ブラウブリッツ秋田 公式ホームページ}}</ref>
* [[Prestige International Aranmare Akita]], women's basketball team.

==Tourism==
[[File:Kakunodate.jpg|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.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sznajder |first1=Michal |last2=Przezbórska |first2=Lucyna |last3=Scrimgeour |first3=Frank |title=Agritourism |date=2009 |publisher=CABI |isbn=978-1-84593-482-8 }}{{page needed|date=September 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />  There has been a push for home stays, farmers markets for locally produced foods, and the integration of outsiders into local cultural practices.  The [[Namahage]] ritual in [[Oga, Akita|Oga]] on New Year's Eve draws a large number of tourists to Akita Prefecture every year.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Foster |first1=Michael Dylan |title=Inviting the Uninvited Guest: Ritual, Festival, Tourism, and the Namahage of Japan |journal=Journal of American Folklore |date=2013 |volume=126 |issue=501 |pages=302–334 |doi=10.5406/jamerfolk.126.501.0302 |s2cid=143644459 |id={{Project MUSE|515294}} }}</ref>

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, Akita|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 [[Koreans|Korean]] tourism after the airing of the popular drama [[Iris (South Korean TV series)|''Iris'']], which featured several scenes shot in Akita, most notably at Lake Tazawa and Oga's GAO Aquarium.<ref>{{cite news | first=哲也 (Tetsuya) | last=笠井 (Kasai) |author2= 矢島大輔 (Yajima Daisuke) | script-title=ja:韓国人ファン、秋田に殺到 ドラマ「アイリス」効果 | date=April 21, 2010 | url =http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/tv_radio/TKY201004210259.html |work=Asahi Shimbun |location=Japan | access-date =April 22, 2010 | language = ja | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100423005818/http://www.asahi.com/showbiz/tv_radio/TKY201004210259.html| archive-date= April 23, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>

==Famous festival and events==

{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2013}}
[[File:Kamakura at Yokote Castle 202402.jpg|thumb|right|Yokote Kamakura Festival in February]]
[[File:Akita Kanto Festival 2017.jpg|thumb|right|A night view of Akita Kanto Festival in August]]
[[File:Drum performance by Namahage 01.jpg|thumb|right|A performance show of [[Namahage]] in Oga area, an official performance event held on [[New Year's Eve]], every year]]
* Kariwano Big Tug Festival, Daisen (February<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.daisen.akita.jp/docs/2013110800314/files/panhu.pdf|title=刈和野の大綱引き|publisher=Daisen City|access-date=November 26, 2015|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127014632/http://www.city.daisen.akita.jp/docs/2013110800314/files/panhu.pdf|archive-date=November 27, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>)
* Amekko Festival, Odate (February<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.odate.akita.jp/dcity/sitemanager.nsf/doc/amekkoichi.html|title=大館アメッコ市 - 秋田県大館市|publisher=Odate City|access-date=November 26, 2015|language=ja}}</ref>)
* Kamakura Snow Statue Event, Yokote (February<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/kanko/page300122.html|title=（冬）横手のかまくら｜横手市|publisher=Yokote City|access-date=November 26, 2015|language=ja|archive-date=November 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127064307/http://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/kanko/page300122.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>)
* [[Tsuchizaki Shinmei Festival]], Akita (July)
*[[Akita Kantō|Akita Kanto Festival]], Akita (August)
* Nishimonai Bon Dancing Festival, Ugo (August<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.town.ugo.lg.jp/sightseeing/detail.html?id=334|title=総合案内｜羽後町|publisher=Ugo Town|access-date=November 26, 2015|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.town.ugo.lg.jp/sightseeing/detail.html?id=340|title=English｜羽後町|publisher=Ugo Town|access-date=November 26, 2015|language=en}}</ref>)
* Kemanai Bon Dancing Festival, Daisen (August<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city.kazuno.akita.jp/kankoevent/43.html |title=毛馬内の盆踊 |publisher=Kazuno City |access-date=November 26, 2015 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126230830/http://www.city.kazuno.akita.jp/kankoevent/43.html |archive-date=November 26, 2015 |df=mdy }}</ref>)
* All Japan Firework Competition, Daisen (August<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oomagari-hanabi.com/|title=全国花火競技大会「大曲の花火」オフィシャルサイト｜大曲商工会議所|publisher=Omagari Entrepreneurs Group|access-date=November 26, 2015|language=ja}}</ref>)
* [[Kakunodate Matsuri|Kakunodate Festival]], Semboku (September)

==Transportation==

===Railroads===
[[Image:Akita Station west exit 20200823c.jpg|thumb|right|250px|JR Akita Station]]
* Akita Trans Inland Railway (Akita Nairiku Jyukan Railway)
** [[Akita Nairiku Line]]
* [[East Japan Railway|JR East]]
** [[Akita Shinkansen]]
** [[Gono Line]]
** [[Hanawa Line]]
** [[Kitakami Line]]
** [[Oga Line]]
** [[Ōu Main Line]]
** [[Tazawako Line]]
** [[Uetsu Main Line]]
* Yuri Plateau Railway (Yuri Kogen Railway)

===Roads===

====Expressways====

* [[Akita Expressway]]
* [[Nihonkai-Tohoku Expressway]]
* [[Tōhoku-Chūō Expressway]]
* [[Tohoku Expressway]]

====National highways====

* [[Japan National Route 7|Route 7]] (-Nikaho-Yurihonjō-Akita-Katagami-Ikawa-Gojōme-Hachirōgata-Mitane-Noshiro-Kitaakita-Ōdate-)
* [[Japan National Route 13|Route 13]] (-Yuzawa-Yokote-Misato-Daisen-Akita)
* [[Japan National Route 46|Route 46]] (-Semboku-Daisen-Akita)
* [[Japan National Route 101|Route 101]] (-Happō-Noshiro-Mitane-Oga-Katagami-Akita)
* [[Japan National Route 103|Route 103]] (-Kosaka-Kazuno-Ōdate)
* [[Japan National Route 104|Route 104]] (-Kazuno-Ōdate)
* [[Japan National Route 105|Route 105]] (Yurihonjō-Daisen-Semboku-Kitaakita)
* [[Japan National Route 107|Route 107]] (-Yokote-Yurihonjō)
* [[Japan National Route 108|Route 108]] (-Yuzawa-Yurihonjō)
* [[Japan National Route 282|Route 282]] (-Kazuno-Kosaka-)
* [[Japan National Route 341|Route 341]] (Kazuno-Semboku-Daisen-Akita-Yurihonjō)
* [[Japan National Route 342|Route 342]] (Yokote-Higashinaruse-)
* [[Japan National Route 397|Route 397]] (-Higashinaruse-Yokote)
* [[Japan National Route 398|Route 398]] (-Yuzawa-Ugo-Yurihonjō)
* [[Japan National Route 454|Route 454]] (-Kazuno-''[[Towada, Aomori]]''-Kosaka-)

[[Image:Odate Noshiro Airport Passenger Terminal.jpg|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==
{{reflist|22em}}

==References==

* Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC  ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition OCLC 58053128]

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Akita (prefecture)}}
{{Commons category-inline|Akita prefecture}}
* [https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/ Akita Prefecture Official Website]
** [https://www.pref.akita.lg.jp/pages/foreign-language Foreign language]
* [https://stayakita.com/ STAY AKITA] - Akita Tourism Federation

{{Akita}}
{{Regions and administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|39|43|7|N|140|6|9|E|type:adm1st_region:JP-05|display=title}}

[[Category:Akita Prefecture| ]]
[[Category:Tōhoku region]]
[[Category:Prefectures of Japan]]